We worked with Chip back in the spring of 1999, when we were producing issue #25 of our fine art photography publication, LensWork. Chip’s portfolio of “Big Sur and The California Coast” had been selected for publication, and although a Big Name in the music industry he was thrilled to have his black-and-white work acknowledged in our not-yet-global publication. When we chose his image for the cover, you’d think he’d won the lottery. He was over the moon. A fun memory…

Chip grew up around the corner from us – he was my brother’s best friend.  As kids, they would camp out in our back yard, make breakfast over the “campfire,” and they messed around with photography together.  My mom and dad even “hired” Chip to take photos for the football program at the high school.  His photography roots run deep, as does his connection to our family.  Chip always made a point to stay in touch with the family over the years, despite the fact that his grade-school buddy was no longer with us – and that has meant so much to us.  He was a good, kind and thoughtful man and we will miss him deeply.  The Matthew family sends their condolences to the entire Hooper family.

I heard the news from Max just a few hours ago, as I was about to board a flight from Phoenix to JFK.

I thought about Chip the whole ride home.

He was a special man.  More special than most people realize, even those who worked closely with him.

When I first met him more than 25 years ago, he impressed me, both as a businessman and as a person.  But then he inspired me – his work struck a chord with me and reawakened a passion for photography that had faded over the decades.

As intense and frenetic as his professional life could be, his photography was all about slowing down, both in technique and representation.

Taking his time with extraordinarily long exposures, and then freezing the world around him with remarkable clarity and precision, Chip truly understood the urgency of stopping to appreciate those special moments and the beauty that surrounds us.  

When 9/11 struck, and freaked the rest of us out, it was Chip who saw the opportunity to set up his camera at the beach, and open the shutter for hours so he could capture the paths of stars moving across the

This beautiful photo by Chip hangs in our living room and is just a very small example of what a great and generous friend Chip was.  It is our wedding present from Chip, and has a handwritten note on the bottom.

Chip rearranged his schedule and flew from the west coast to Virginia for just one day to attend our wedding.

Again, just another small example of his generosity and friendship that we will cherish and remember forever.