Meet Christina Cooper | Photographer, Amateur Documentary Film-Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I think I’ve always been drawn to artistic hobbies. When I was younger, I loved to dance. I think it mostly came as a byproduct of my love for music. In my 20s, I would DJ around town and eventually became the first female DJ of the Soular Grooves collective with Houston’s own, DJ Sun.

In the midst of participating in all of those things, my favorite thing to do was document them. I would take photos or videos of anything I could. I thrived on behind-the-scenes footage. So, I think it was a natural evolution that I would eventually begin photography as an occupation.

At this point, the behind the scenes that I thrive for is family history. I love documenting families in their environment – whether at home or at a wedding. Many times, when you are in the day-to-day, you tend to see your family with a certain perspective. But, all of those moments play a big part in our family history.

I love to be able to creatively, tell the story of their family through photos. I want to be able to have my clients look back and remember the feelings they felt during those special moments – big or small.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m currently in the midst of change. For the last year, behind the scenes of my professional photography, I’ve been working on a project – a documentary of the history of my family. I feel like it’s so important to understand our history – good, bad, or ugly – to help us understand each other.

I’ve never made a documentary before, so there has been a lot of learning going on. Thankfully, like photography – there are similar ideas. The importance of lighting, composition, and being able to tell a story is key. It hasn’t been easy. Not everyone is as eager to tell their story as you are to hear it. I’ve had to figure out alternative ways to be able to tell our story while being respectful of the privacy of certain ones. Part of that is, I’m now narrating my documentary. This was not an easy solution to come by for me, as I am not the biggest fan of hearing myself speak – much less recording for all to hear.

But with discomfort comes growth.

Because I have been working on this project, it has changed the way I approach taking photos. I am trying to create more emotional and cinematic experiences for my couples and families. Hearing their stories and making notes of what is important to them is vital in being able to do that. I want to create their own mini-documentary for them – whether in photos or video.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First of all, we’d take an early trip to watch the sunrise in Galveston. Maybe have a photo session as well for fun.

I’d take them for breakfast to Breakfast Klub for some chicken and waffles or pork chops and eggs.
Then we could walk off some of the “itis” by going around the corner to shop for some vinyl at
Sig’s Lagoon.

If we were going the “lighter” route, we’d visit “First Watch” for some avocado toast or one of their amazing skillets. They have the Morning Meditation drink that I love which has orange, lemon, turmeric, ginger, agave nectar, and beet juice in it. It is divine! We would then drive down Highway 6 to Froberg Farm to pick some fresh fruit or play some games with the kids and maybe pick up some venison sausage from Greak’s Smokehouse for later.

For lunch, maybe a burger from Guru in Sugar Land or some Fuego Fries w brisket from Taco Fuego at the Post, downtown. At the Post, we can hang out on the rooftop and maybe hear some good music or just enjoy the downtown skyline, Or, we could head over to Toute Suite and have some coffee and dessert while chatting or reading a good book, We may also take in an exhibit at MFAH or the Menil.

Dinner would be some good ol’ BBQ from Killens or perhaps some dinner and music in Sugar Land at Vino and Vinyl and take in some art at Art Museum TX at Sugar Land. The great thing about Houston and it’s surrounding areas is that you can pretty much have your pick of almost anything. The diversity is top-notch!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family. 100%,

I’m a mom of 2 and a wife. Those are full-time jobs within themselves. I’m so grateful, however, to have the support of my family to pursue this occupation. From my husband coming with me to weddings and events and helping me film for my YouTube channel, to my daughter always asking me questions about what type of event I went to and details of the families, to my mom helping to watch our kids while I go out and work on the weekends – I could not be successful without them.

John Branch IV – I have learned so much from him – from gear to composition. Had it not been for his guidance through his channel, I wouldn’t be where I am today as far as my photography style. He helped me to find my way.

Katina McGhee. One of my best friends and supporters since day 1. I can always count on her to cheer me up and cheer me on.

Website: https://christinamcooperphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinacooperphotos/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinamcooperphotography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@christinacooperfilm