We’re excited to feature Jeff Cooke Photography today on the blog. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jeff Cooke Photography’s inspiration “comes from the relationships they build and their relaxed approach,” which they say “makes documenting raw emotion seem effortless.” We love the fun and creative beauty in these photos.
How did you get started in photography?
For nearly 10 years, my full-time job was as a technical business analyst with Bank of America, where I had no real aspiration to being a senior executive. I had a background in web design and Photoshop and always loved taking pictures. Soon I became “the guy with a camera,” always documenting friend and family events in my spare time. And as more and more information became available online, I continued to feed my hobby by practicing things that I learned watching YouTube tutorials like off-camera flash, long exposures and composites. Eventually my Flickr page migrated to a website, and after hours of obsessing over wedding images and long conversations with a good friend and fellow Halifax wedding photographer Trevor Allen, I decided to advertise free wedding photography. Within an hour, I booked three, and minutes into my very first wedding I knew it had to be my new full-time job.
What has contributed to your success?
Practicing, collaborating, critiquing, overanalyzing, obsessing, head banging and fist pumping combined with a very supportive family.
What is the most important thing for your continued success?
Doing the same things that contributed to my success.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Try, try not. Do, or do not, there is no try.
What is most important in your photography?
Heart.
Jeff Cooke and his full-time associate, Jenn Nauss, are award-winning members of Junebug, Fearless Photographers and ISPWP. Just this month, Jeff took fourth place in the ISPWP Summer Wedding Photography Contest. For more information about Jeff Cooke Photography, visit his website or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
All images © Jeff Cooke Photography
