Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Cohen.
Hi Greg, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A lot of my photography involves photographing kids. Part of the reason I like it is that children have a certain wisdom to them, even it’s beyond their understanding. I always learn a lot when working with kids, so Atwater Photo Camp was a logical next step; it came very naturally.
My friend Alyson Aliano had been shooting and teaching children for many years. She shares a similar empathy and curiosity as I do about their innocent intelligence, so it made sense to team up.
Atwater Photo Camp, co-owned by Alyson and myself, believes that encouraging kids to be freely creative empowers them to celebrate their unique way of seeing. They have something to share, and it deserves to be seen. We sort of teach what we need to hear. There’s a reason our tagline is: See for Yourself!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Conceptually, the road has been smooth. There’s been very little confusion about our approach because all our endeavors serve the mission: to empower kids through photography, liberate their creative vision, and inspire them to view the world through their own unique lens.
The areas we aim to improve are, for the most part, financial: the cost of studio rent, transportation, promotion, cameras, supplies, insurance… the list is long. All of our income is generated by tuition, which barely covers it, so this year, we’re thrilled to introduce some exciting opportunities for partnership.
One of the biggest expenses is our studio rent. We’ve been very lucky to have a good relationship with our community, and we are continually building incentives that create win-win situations for everyone. We have so much to offer, and we remain optimistic about finding a new location for the years to come. Onward!
We’ve been impressed with Atwater Photo Camp, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets Atwater Photo Camp apart is that while we teach the tools and skills of photography, we are primarily focused on how we see. That’s by far the most important part of our camp and being a photographer. Photo Camp is not an instructional about how to make a pretty picture; it’s about exploring who we are and how we relate to the world around us. We cover technical information, which can be fun, but it’s a means to an end: it’s also about connection. In other words, you’ll learn how to create a dynamic image, but you’ll also walk away with new friends and a better understanding of yourself.
What makes you happy?
What makes the people at APC the most happy are curious kids who want to have fun and learn about photography. Through clever games and activities designed to challenge the way we see; we ignite creativity in the craft and in ourselves.
We encourage our campers to first recognize their own unique viewpoint. Then, we inspire them to explore and develop it, take ownership of it, and ultimately celebrate their one-of-a-kind perspective. That approach improves our photography and builds human skills like confidence, connection, and character.
When we see the light come on for these kids… that not only makes us happy but it inspires us to do the same.
Pricing:
- 5-day photo adventure: $675
- Daily: $150
Contact Info:
- Website: atwaterphotophotocamp.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/atwaterphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/APWseeforyourself
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@atwaterphotoworkshops1588
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/atwater-photo-workshops-los-angeles-ca-los-angeles-2
