Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAngelo Cooper.
Hi DeAngelo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey to where I am at today has nothing but Jesus Christ written all over it. Moving to a new city out of college is kind of fatiguing. It is like starting over. No one knows who you are, and you have to build/find a community that suits you. I’ve always sought interest in photography, but growing up, I never had the financial means to fully invest in what the photography world offered. All glory to God that I have a job that helped jump-start this journey.
When I purchased my camera, I was shooting any- and everything. I needed to be producing the same quality of fellow creators that I admire greatly (Manny Ortiz, Brad Deel, Jared Polin, Isaiah Haynes (PhotoMeIke). I stayed up multiple nights watching these guys’ videos until 2-3 AM knowing that I had to get up for work at 6:30. I took this sacrifice because I wanted results instantly. I honestly would say it took me roughly 3-4 months of that routine to help me understand the concepts of photography. However, it is still an ongoing learning process and forever will be.
Around that 3-to-4-month mark that I mentioned previously, I began to gain interest in shooting sports. I grew up playing sports, and I believed it to be a method of staying close to something I loved. Honestly, it was not easy getting my name out there. I started by just buying tickets to regular season games and shooting in areas that were permitted. Once I gained a decent portfolio, I reached out to several local sports media outlets seeking a position to work contractually. Luckily, Zach Fleer, Jason Morrow, and the 270Hoops family responded to my work first and welcomed me with open arms. Completing work with them produced opportunities for me to be in the same atmosphere of many top-tier athletes (Bronny James (USC), Devin Royal (OSU), Dailyn Swain (Xavier), Gabe Cupps (Indiana), etc.)
Today, I am still contracting for 270Hoops as well as local high school sports programs in Columbus. I will continue to grow my brand until all of Columbus knows who/what is CooperCaptures LLC!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Some struggles along the way were finding people that would trust you with their money. Photography is a fast-growing industry, and it has become harder to weave out creators that embrace the craft from those who just want the attention that comes with it. Another struggle was finding a sports media outlet that I could call home in Columbus. Getting onboard with 270Hoops was not the easiest process. I contacted them earlier in my career and did not receive any response. This all goes back to God’s timing because months later, when I became more comfortable in my style of photography, I crossed paths with Zach Fleer (co-owner of 270Hoops) at church. It has been history since then.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Outside of photography, I am an Electrical Design and Analysis Engineer at The Boeing Company. I work in Boeing Defense Systems, specifically supporting the Minuteman III missile. So yes, I am helping protect the nation by day and capturing top-tier sports by night.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I believe success is not what you gain from the outside but what you gain within. I know it sounds cliche, but it is the true. I believe that when your heart and mind is at peace, you can live and survive this world in any condition that it may present itself. Gratefully, I found that peace by following Jesus Christ.
Contact Info:
- Website: coopercaptures.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coopercaptures.llc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CooperCapturesTM
Image Credits
CooperCaptures LLC
