Today we’d like to introduce you to Vince Cooper.

Hi Vince, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into photography actually began at 2:30 am while responding to a crime scene as a criminal investigator. Using the terrible point and shoot cameras we had, I was having a very difficult time trying to get the necessary pictures to process the scene. After managing to complete the job, I left the scene frustrated and decided that would never happen again. I was previously trained on a DSLR camera at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and decided to go buy a DSLR camera I could use to properly document scenes. I used that camera for a few years until the agency I worked for finally got DSLR cameras. So, my camera sat at home in a bag for years until I remembered it and started shooting landscapes. After doing landscapes for a while, I decided it would be fun to create scenes instead of just photographing them. I reached out to some models and set up a few collaborations, and things took off from there.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As far a photography goes, it was a smooth ride. Other things going on in my life while trying to get my photo business going were not smooth at all. The first obstacle I hit was the pandemic. My wife was diagnosed with Leukemia during that time as well and I had a second double spinal fusion in my neck. While dealing with those, I also had to navigate some major work issues with a boss who was conducting unethical and immoral, ultimately illegal acts while he simultaneously tried to sabotage my career. Eventually all those issues were taken care of and my photography was a much-needed distraction during a lot of that time.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I mainly do creative photography and boudoir, which I consider my specialties. My shoots are very relaxed and collaborative. I enjoy working with models and getting their ideas because I don’t want a shoot to be just my idea or their idea, but a mix of both. What I’m most proud of are many of the ladies I’ve worked with. I’ve had a few who went on to do pageants and were very successful in them. I’ve witnessed many of them improve their craft, gain followers, star in movies, commercials, and TV; I even got to celebrate one of them graduating college. What sets me apart from other photographers is how I learned photography. Since I was used to shooting under some pretty bad conditions and not being able to alter a scene, I’ve become adept to working with what I have. In other words, I don’t need everything to be perfect for a shot; I’ll work around issues and obstacles and try to incorporate unique elements of the scenery/location when I can.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Amongst my supporters, obviously my wife Amy is my first thank you. She has supported me from the beginning and also served as my muse many times. I have to thank the early models I worked with, Samantha, Drew, Kaylee, Tia, who really is an incredible model, especially since she doesn’t model in her mind; she cosplays, and Corianne, who is an amazing model and makeup artist; absolutely phenomenal. The suck part of the thank yous is I will forget someone deserving, and I apologize for that. My remaining thanks go to Taina who recently graduated college, Emma for being such a pro, Jinx for her enthusiasm, Crystal for her work ethic and enthusiasm, and Stephanie who always has faith in me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/manic_expressions
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063546611338

Image Credits
Taina, Amy, Reese, Emma Sirus, Atlas Vale, Liberty Zabala