From Lens to Lapel: How My Hummingbird Photography Became Enamel Pins

Hard Enamel Hummingbird Pins – Jewelry-Quality Details, Nature-Inspired Elegance

When I first picked up a camera to photograph hummingbirds, I never imagined those fleeting moments would one day live beyond the page or the screen. My goal was simple: to capture the impossible speed, color, and grace of these tiny birds before they vanished from view. What started as field photography turned into books, journals, and prints, but there was always a question in my mind: how can I carry these birds with me everywhere, and how can others do the same?

That’s how the idea of enamel pins was born.

The Spark

I’ve spent years photographing hummingbirds across the Americas, from the cloud forests of Colombia to the deserts of Arizona. Each trip gave me images I wanted to share, but not just in traditional ways. Prints can hang on walls, and books can sit on tables, but I wanted something smaller, more personal, something that could travel with you.

When I saw how enamel pins could transform art into a wearable form, I realized this was the perfect medium. A hat, a backpack, or even a camera strap could suddenly become a stage for these birds. People could carry the spirit of hummingbirds with them, just like I do in the field.

From Photo to Pin

Turning a photograph into a hard enamel pin isn’t as simple as shrinking the image down. Each pin begins with one of my original photos. I work with designers who trace the bird’s outline, refine its features, and select a color palette that matches the shimmering feathers as closely as possible.

Enamel, unlike ink, doesn’t rely on light reflection to shine; it relies on bold, solid fills. That means translating iridescent greens, reds, and purples into colors that still feel alive when worn. Each tiny detail, from the curve of a beak to the flick of a tail feather, has to be clear at less than two inches. It’s both an art and a challenge.

The final result is jewelry-quality. Each pin is crafted with polished hard enamel, filled to a glassy finish, and plated for durability. They’re smooth, weighty, and built to last.

Why It Matters

Of course, these pins aren’t just accessories. They’re small symbols of connection. Every time someone pins one to a bag or jacket, it sparks a conversation about the bird, the story behind it, and why hummingbirds matter. Many of the species I photograph are rare, endemic, or even endangered. Creating something people can hold in their hands keeps those stories alive.

For me, the pins are also about accessibility. Not everyone has space for a large print or the budget for a framed photo, but a pin is an affordable piece of art. It lets more people share in the joy that hummingbirds bring.

Carrying Hummingbirds Everywhere

What started as photographs in the field has now become a collection you can wear, gift, or collect. Each pin is a reminder of why I do this work to celebrate the beauty of hummingbirds and to keep their presence close, no matter where we are.

And here’s the part that makes it even more meaningful: your purchase supports real conservation efforts. Every pin sold helps fund education and protection programs for hummingbirds across the Americas. So the more you buy, whether for yourself or as a gift, the more you directly contribute to saving these extraordinary birds.

So the next time you see one of my enamel pins, know that it began as a real bird, in a real moment, captured through my lens and transformed into something you can carry with you. A piece of wild beauty, turned into everyday art with a purpose.

Just a small preview of what you will find in the store.