Today we’d like to introduce you to Allen Cooper.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Since I was a kid, I’ve always had an interest in the world of art. Not just photography but everything from drawing, painting, animation, music, etc. As I got older, I saw how important it is because art is an everyday type of thing, you see it everywhere you go, even if it’s the simplest thing it’s there around you. Moving from California to Georgia, everything was different and a bit too different for me and I wanted to break that normality as I got older. When I struck 14 years old, that’s when I knew photography was my passion because of one photo I took. That photo impacted me in a way I couldn’t believe, it made me realize that I can express myself with photography and choose to take pictures of whatever I found appealing for myself. Not following any rules. Not following one straight line, I could do whatever I wanted to do with photography. I’ve followed that till now and it has to lead me to make great friends with stupendous creative minds. In the last year going to Grayson Tech High School opened so many doors for me and opportunities, I participated in my first photography competition, Atlanta Celebrates Photography, and won the best school for it, I have also participated in the Scholastics Art and Writing competition and by the end of the school year I received an Adobe Certificate. I gained so much respect because of the way I make my art and as a person, it’s helped me work with people that I could say have inspired me as well and glad I’ve come in contact with them and make art with them as well.
Has it been a smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road because there have been some rough spots throughout my journey as a photographer and a person, but in reality, it has helped me become a better artist and a better person. There’s never a smooth road whether you have your future planned out because there will be obstacles to pass through to succeed and even when you succeed there will challenges. You just have to make the best out of your life and do the best of your ability to make everything work in your favor. At the end of the day, I am happy where I am and the journey I have taken to be the artist I am today and will continue to help grow my art. Just going through tough times brings out the best ideas for me because I just want to let go of all the things inside of me by demonstrating the world my photography.
What are you most proud of, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What sets you apart from others?
I usually specialize in all types of photography, I can go to any type of field of photography and be perfectly be okay with it. My creativity is what sets me apart and what drives me to be something unusual. I love having unusual and abstract ideas, getting it to be seen through photography so that people can visualize and dissect with their own eyes to make them think about how I did it, why did I think this, and what does it mean. Those three things are my goals whenever I try to do something out of the box with my photography. Sure, it won’t be all the time but 95% of the time, it’s what I want to accomplish.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yeah, as the years have progressed, I would say Atlanta is a great city to build up a portfolio and just meet the hundreds of creatives out there, whether it’s other photographers, entrepreneurs in clothing, or musicians Atlanta is an excellent location for anybody entering into the art scene. If someone was starting here, I would probably suggest to get to know the people around you after some time, make friends that are into the same field as you and probably just branch out from there, networking and talking to the people around you with common interests and goals will help a lot.
Pricing:
- $80 for 1-hour shoot, 25 images (edited or RAW), 2 locations
- $120 for 2.5-hour shoot, 30 images (edited or RAW), 3 locations
- $160 for 3-hour shoot, 50 images (edited or RAW), any location
Contact Info:
- Address: 3479 Woodward Downtrail Buford, GA 30519
- Website: https://cooperpallen23.wixsite.com/allencooperr
- Phone: 7703358441
- Email: cooper.p.allen23@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/allen.cooperr
Image Credit:
Cosmica Archive, Natalia Rodriguez
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