About Us

Nikon Canada has chosen to highlight Michael as their professional photographer for August 2018. Award winning photographer, Michael is a creative commercial photographer who specializes in photographing people. With a collaborative attitude and a desire to create not just take a photograph, Michael has a great client list. His work ranges from advertising to corporate and the performing arts. Educating and giving back to the community, Michael is a member of ASMP and continues to server the creative community by sitting on the Toronto chapter board for CAPIC.

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Commercial photography by Michael Cooper Photographic
Michael's work is primarily people driven. His portfolio consists of photographs from over 35 years working in advertising, editorial, corporate an...
Commercial Photography by Michael Cooper Photographic
Profile Michael Cooper is an award-winning commercial photographer with an acute eye for detail, lighting and composition. A patient teacher, ment...
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Recent Activity

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on July 01, 2019
what kind of photography. Commercial or retail?  If commercial start reaching out to ad agencies before you go. If retail ( portraits or weddings) advertising in local magazines or Facebook groups is a start.  (more) what kind of photography. Commercial or retail?  If commercial start reaching out to ad agencies before you go. If retail ( portraits or weddings) advertising in local magazines or Facebook groups is a start. 

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on October 16, 2018
Photographers need websites designed for their clientele not other photographers! (more) Photographers need websites designed for their clientele not other photographers!

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on June 21, 2018
I don’t believe you eliminate failure.  I think that’s the only way to grow.  Success is blinding. Success can make you complacent but failure wakes you up and drives you.  If you can learn from your failures you will be better.  (more) I don’t believe you eliminate failure.  I think that’s the only way to grow.  Success is blinding. Success can make you complacent but failure wakes you up and drives you.  If you can learn from your failures you will be better. 

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on April 12, 2018
Working for free means you are not a professional ( by definition ). Never is is more costly and time consuming to use a non professional to do a professional’s job. Would you want a 1st year student to do your heart bypass? We put our trust in professionals to get the job done right and the... (more) Working for free means you are not a professional ( by definition ). Never is is more costly and time consuming to use a non professional to do a professional’s job. Would you want a 1st year student to do your heart bypass? We put our trust in professionals to get the job done right and the first time.  I’ve aleays found clients can always find the time to do a reshoot when someone else messes up but fairly the time to do it right first time. If you choose to do something for no $ make sure you get something for it like an ad in their program, some business cards printed or a link to your web page. I have donated my services to those I feel I wan to but I never donate my assistant’s fees. That’s a hard expense. 
1 Reply

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on February 09, 2018
A lot depends on the market you are looking for. I'm going to assume you are a retail photographer ie portraits corporate or wedding. If so I would join a BNI group or a local BIA group for word of mouth networking. Word of mouth networking is cost effective and in time it builds your... (more) A lot depends on the market you are looking for. I'm going to assume you are a retail photographer ie portraits corporate or wedding. If so I would join a BNI group or a local BIA group for word of mouth networking. Word of mouth networking is cost effective and in time it builds your clientlist. If you are after advertising or editorial then direct mail works.

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on October 29, 2017
In Canada the law was changed similar to the USA that you own the copyright to all images unless a signed document is drawn up before the shoot. Saying that, you do not own the likeness of the people in the photo. You would need a model release to be held safe from their prosecution (I think the... (more) In Canada the law was changed similar to the USA that you own the copyright to all images unless a signed document is drawn up before the shoot. Saying that, you do not own the likeness of the people in the photo. You would need a model release to be held safe from their prosecution (I think the only difference is if it was used as a news item). Always sign a contract with someone so YOU know what you are getting into and THEY understand their rights and obligations they have to you. Use a lawyer, it will be the cheapest way to protect yourself. Finally look to other professionals in your industry. Call someone or better yet Join ASMP or APA or PPA or in Canada CAPIC or PPOC. You can press for payment and loose the client or appeal to them and ask for some compensation based on how and the frequency they used your images. Would you buy a house without a contract? Its a business deal. Ive been shooting almost 40 years and in my time 99% of people who lowball for the first job and offer lots of follow up, never come through. They just get cheap photography and move on to the next supplier. It's a session most of us learn the hard way. good luck

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on October 21, 2017
in any country try the professional associations. Canada - CAPIC. USA -ASMP. England has some too. I would also look who the photogs are in the area and ask them (more) in any country try the professional associations. Canada - CAPIC. USA -ASMP. England has some too. I would also look who the photogs are in the area and ask them

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on October 20, 2017
If someone wants something fast for no money the best way to get them off the phone is to quote double. Choose your clients. Decide who you want to work for and go after them. Forget the fast and low paying clients. They will. Ever be a good client. (more) If someone wants something fast for no money the best way to get them off the phone is to quote double. Choose your clients. Decide who you want to work for and go after them. Forget the fast and low paying clients. They will. Ever be a good client.

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on August 06, 2017
Many commercial companies make suppliers aware that staff are not allowed "bribes". Ie gifts. I prefer a lunch where you can just talk and get to know each other on a personal level. Some agencies won't even allow me to pay for the lunch (more) Many commercial companies make suppliers aware that staff are not allowed "bribes". Ie gifts. I prefer a lunch where you can just talk and get to know each other on a personal level. Some agencies won't even allow me to pay for the lunch
1 Reply

Michael from Michael Cooper Photographic Answered this on July 31, 2017
The more you know someone the better you feel about referring someone or using their services. You must be a good listener and think of ways to help the person or be an asset to them rather than just another salesperson. That's how you can develop a 2 way relationship that lasts (more) The more you know someone the better you feel about referring someone or using their services. You must be a good listener and think of ways to help the person or be an asset to them rather than just another salesperson. That's how you can develop a 2 way relationship that lasts

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