Cooper Shoots People!
Michael Cooper Photographic, 66 Coleridge Ave., Toronto, ON., M4C 4H6
416 938-7558
michael@coopershoots.com
Michael Cooper approaches every assignment with an unparalleled passion. His dramatic flair, ability to capture mood and moment comes from his involvement with the performing arts community. Assignments that have an edge of humour, and wit inspire him. Always working with the creative team, collectively, coming up with solutions.
In 2014 The Charlebois Post awarded Michael Cooper a lifetime achievement for his work in the performing arts.
Client Testimonials
"Michael is the epitome of professionalism. I found him to be able to reproduce exactly what the art directors desired. Clients were extremely happy with him so much that they commented to the account managers and the photographs were always bang on. I highly recommend him".
Kay Izzard Art Buyer
You are one of the best photographers I’ve ever worked with, hands-down, and I will miss the time spent watching you get the incredible photos that set the company a part from all the others and going through all those photos.
Jennifer Pugsley Media Relations Manager
"I worked with Michael on a Telus TV and print campaign with a very fast turnaround time. A lot of the material had to be sent for approvals the same day. Michael did great shots for us was extremely energetic and committed, a huge help, as were his staff. I felt he worked way beyond the bounds of the job and within the tight time and budget.He was a great asset to the project."
Thanks Michael .
Howard Alstad Art Director
"You don't take photos you create them.”
Andy McKim Artistic Director
"Michael immediately has a way about him that puts everyone at ease - even those folks that tense up as soon as the camera comes out. Always a relaxed atmosphere even when
shooting under pressure - be it in the studio or on a difficult location."
Edward Laurin LOREWREN+CO
"I have always been able to set the stage and let him go. His creativity has always given me the confidence to do that. Michael is a true partner in the Creative process. Collaborative, technically exacting and quite frankly, fun. And in this business, fun work can yield great results."
Matthew Gyulay Creative Director
"Michael, I want to thank you for the latest photos you took of me. Rarely in the past had I received comments from stakeholders telling me that my photo was beautiful. It feels like I have finally found a way to make this work! Thanks again for your professionalism and bravo for your talent!"
Dominique Dionne Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Take your creativity and techniques to the next level!
Contact Michael Cooper for lectures, workshops, masterclasses or one on one tutoring,
Michael continues to be a staff educator at Centennial College.
Previously an educator for Ryerson University and Durham College.
Michael teaches lighting techniques, digital capture and manipulation, conventional darkroom, portfolio development and business.
Lectured at Sheridan College ( a past member of their Bachelor of Photography Program Advisory Committee ), Humber College, OCAD University,
Toronto Camera Club, Professional Photographers of Canada events, Montreal Camera Club, Humber Camera Club and more.
Michael developed special presentations for Profusion, Hewlett-Packard and for "Lens Baby".
Contact me at michael@coopershoots.com
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Past events
April 21 2023 - Vaughan International Film Festival
Presentation and workshop.
March 13 2018 - The Port Perry Photographic Society
lecture on Black and White Imagery: The Interpretation From Colour to Black and White.
Nov. 23 2017 - Association of Registered Graphic Designers
webinar - Who Does What?
Nov 24 2016 - Guest Lecture Don Mills Camera Club
Lecture - Lighting from stage to portraiture.
Oct 19 2015 - Oakville Camera Club
Lecture - Performing Arts and portraiture
Oct 26 2015 - Grand River Imaging & Photographic Society
Lecture
Black and White Imagery:
The Interpretation from Colour to Black and White, how the impact of the image changes.
April 28, 2015 - PPOC Canadian Imaging Conference
Lecture - From the Performing Arts to Portraits 7-10 pm
Michael will show the development of his photography style. His involvement with the performing arts community has shaped the lighting techniques he uses.
He will show the techniques used in the performing arts and explore ways to apply these techniques to your photography.
Oct 15 & 16, 2014- Profusion
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
PRO STUDIO: Live Shooting Experience.
It's a complete shooting studio on the ProFusion expo floor. It's an opportunity for you to get up close– real close – and watch pro photographers at work. And it’s an unbelievable chance for you to interact with a lot of the incredible gear being showcased at ProFusion 2014. Be sure to drop by and check out one of the most dynamic exhibits at ProFusion 2014!
Come and check out all the latest gear at our “Pro Shooting Booth” featuring Toronto based photographer Michael Cooper from Coopershoots
Oct 20, 2014 - The Darkroom Project
Peterborough ON
Part 1 - Lighting and image manipulation techniques workshop
For four years, I have taught this kind of course to 3rd and 4th year students at Ryerson University in the Image Arts degree program. Creating the perfect light with different modifiers and a little knowledge.I maintain that it’s not what you light it’s what you don’t light. Learn how to light small or large subjects. Red, Green and Blue, how they relate and what they mean to your photography. Mixed lighting creates problems, how RAW shooting and processing is only part of the answer. The session will be using both portable battery operated light as well as inexpensive studio lighting. Use of soft boxes, grids, beauty dishes, gels, black wrap and bounce cards.
Part 2 - Darkroom and image manipulation….without the computer. Explore ways to create and manipulate images without using the computer. Learn some basic and intermediate darkroom skills as well as participate in manipulating your images in a way you might not have thought about. Part of the class will be to demonstrate the enlarger as an image creator and manipulator. The rest of the class will be application and creation of finished prints with stains, dyes, resists and toners.