articles/Weddings/lettherelight-page1
by Terry Hansen Published 01/06/2008
Let there be light! with John Michael Cooper
Wedding photographers all shoot at night, sometimes using nothing more than available light. So, the Digital Wedding Forum has announced a first of its kind seminar, to be held at the DWF Convention next January in Arizona - an outdoor convention seminar, held under the stars. This outdoor event will feature the unique John Michael Cooper -the 'Godfather' of the Trash the Dress phenomenon. John has been written about in the New York Times, his work has been featured on US network television, and he continues to redefine wedding photography.
John Michael Cooper is a Las Vegas-based photographer with a strong imagination for the unusual, and often controversial, romantically tragic side of love stories. He and his wife, Dalisa, operate a successful photography business called Altf. Though Cooper's passion for portraiture shines through, even on his most basic weddings, his creativity is avidly released when performing his 'anti-bridal' shoots, which began in 2001.
Cooper began Altf after continuously being preached at by his overly-traditional boss from the studio that he was working at that his ideas couldn't be executed because 'brides do not like it - it has to be pretty'. After a fire in a local Las Vegas park, Cooper was eager to use the natural set for some dark and dreary photos featuring a beautiful bride. After being turned down by several of his clients in fear that the black ash would get on their beautiful white gowns, Cooper called a friend and purchased his own dress. Cooper was not going to be tied down. (Image [1])
Photography for John Michael Cooper is sometimes about reinventing himself, creating new ideas or situations or taking a conceptual piece of art and making it his own. Photography has been repeating itself for years and the Altf concept is not about promoting 'correct' photography or by following rules or expectations. Altf is about passionately creating images in the way that you want and believe they should be created.
There are 24 days to get ready for The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Wednesday 15th January 2025