hankinslawrenceimages

In the Language of Flowers

by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 16, 2022 | In the Language of Flowers

Throughout history, people have sent messages with flowers. The Victorians raised it to an art form, where entire conversations and courtships could take place just with flowers. This series of still life photographs is inspired by the messages sent by certain flowers.

In the language of flowers, hydrangeas can represent interconnectedness. As a genealogist, I connect to my ancestors through what I learn about them in my research, and what I see in the family photos. And yes, those are my ancestors William Lucas Hankins, and his parents Lucas Wurtz Hankins and Mary Ellen Ross pictured in my photograph.

In the language of flowers, one of the meanings for peonies is happy wedding anniversary. For this still life, I imagined a woman thinking back to her wedding day on her anniversary. She has a photograph of herself and her husband on their wedding day, a couple of the cards they were given from cherished friends and family members, and a bouquet of flowers similar to those she carried on her wedding day so many years before.

In the language of flowers, Lupins represent the creative arts and imagination. As I created this still life, I was inspired by the enthusiastic women photographers of the 1910’s and 1920’s, including my grandmother, Evelyn Clara Call. These women photographed their families, their friends, and their adventures. The Kodak company promoted women as photographers through their Kodak Girl advertising campaign. So in the image I’ve placed a vintage Kodak camera, issues of Kodakery, a magazine to help photographers improve their photography, a film box, negative folders, a negative, and a light meter – in other words, everything a Kodak Girl would need to prepare her for her next photographic adventure.

After A Stressful Day © 2020 Patty Hankins

In the the language of flowers, one of the meanings for Lisianthus is comfort. As I created this still life, I imagined a woman at the end of a stressful day, curling up with a cup of tea, a good book, and a chocolate chip cookie.

Planning Ahead Still Life © 2020 Patty Hankins

In the language of flowers, lily of the valley can represent happiness. And I know nothing that makes a gardener happier than planning ahead for what to add to her garden.

Contented Life Still Life © 2020 Patty Hankins

In the language of flowers, stock can represent completed projects. As I created this photograph, I imagined a woman relaxing with a glass of wine and a good book after completing the last embroidered napkin in a set she has been working on.

You Know I’m Bored When I Spend Time in the Kitchen!

by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 9, 2022 | Still Life

Like many other people, I discovered a new room in my house during COVID – the kitchen! Not only did I start baking (and occasionally cooking), I created still life photographs from what I cooked!

Apple Snickerdoodle Muffins © 2021 Patty Hankins

Coffee and Biscuits © 2021 Patty Hankins

Quick Snack after Working in the Garden © 2021 Patty Hankins

Perfect Ending for a Cold Winter's Day © 2021 Patty Hankins

Inspired by the Paintings of Berthe Morisot

by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 2, 2022 | Berthe Morisot

A few years ago, I saw the Berthe Morisot: Woman Impressionist exhibit at the Barnes Collection in Philadelphia. I was captivated by how Morisot portrayed women in her paintings, especially several paintings showing women in quiet private moments such as a woman putting on her stockings or sitting at her dressing table. These photographs are inspired by those quiet private moments.

I could not create this photographs without the amazing women I have worked with on it. Whether in my studio, or working remotely from their studios, every model has brought ideas and inspiration as we created the photos. Without their help, this series would just be a concept floating around in my head. Thanks to all these wonderful women, we have brought the moments in Morisot’s paintings to life.

Ivory Flame with Fan © 2021 Patty Hankins

Anoush Anou with Book © 2021 Patty Hankins Background Textures from the French Kiss Collections

Inspired by the Kodak Girl III

by hankinslawrenceimages | Jul 26, 2022 | Kodak Girls

One of my favorite advertising campaigns is the Kodak Girl campaigns of the early 1900s. Kodak wanted to get women involved with photography figuring that if women had cameras and took photographs than they would sell more film and cameras. So they created the Kodak Girl who was portrayed in the ads as an active woman out with her camera. She traveled, she participated in sporting events, and she photographed her friends and family. What she didn’t do was be an object photographed by male photographers.

So this series of photos is inspired by the early Kodak Girl campaigns – portraying women across the years out photographing with their cameras.

Every model photographed in this series has been a joy to work with. The images are collaborations that I could not create with them. They all have contributed wonderful ideas, outfits, cameras and an amazing sense of fun to the project. Without their help, this project would still be an idea floating in my brain – they have brought the Kodak Girl to life.