By Vinny D.
Photography and videography have grown so much not only around the nation, or the State of Colorado but even at Mountain Range High School. See most photographers have connections immediately and a good starting platform but for Junior Cooper M., he had to earn everything to get to where he is today.
“I started photography and videography because I would see videos and pictures on social media and I had a lot of interest in it. I would go on YouTube and I would watch videos on how people would make these videos and what camera to use. So I asked my parents for a camera so I could take pictures for sports and for friends and they got me one for my 15th birthday. I wanted to try and make the videos I would see on social media for my friends, posting pictures of a bunch of different sports.”
When Cooper first said he began videography, he started with a local event. A former MRHS student Quincy Helsel was hosting a Basketball takeover with content creators involved. Cooper saw this as a big opportunity to begin his start-up. “When he first posted it, I told myself, damn, that was pretty good actually. I said he was better than other local photographers after his first post." A customer of his, Preston B. (11th), a basketball player, has had Cooper take photographs and made mixtapes for him multiple times.
“What inspired me to start photography was other photographers like Camo Press and Mode Ford. Those guys really got me into it by being mentors and giving a bunch of advice to keep going and how to improve.” Cooper stated.
Cooper then grew all over social media and began to make more work for other sports. Cameron W. (11th) an MRHS football player says, "When we asked him to take photos and make a mixtape we were so excited and he did amazing we all loved it and wanted more stuff for our actual season.” Cooper also decided to travel with the MRHS boys' summer basketball team and record their summer league games. Cooper then took pictures for the football team at all their home games and gained even more popularity.
He then started to make mixtapes and take photos for other schools like Holy Family High School, where he made a mixtape, connected with other photographers there, and began expanding to other things than MRHS football.
He then began to do photos and mixtapes for the MRHS basketball team where he mostly took pictures of friend Preston B, (11th) But once their season ended he managed to get his hands on a CHSAA media pass meaning he could enter any CHSAA sporting event and get court or field access He then went on to take pictures film for teams like Lutheran boys basketball, Riverdale Ridge girls basketball and Thunder Ridge boys basketball. This is where he connected most with other creators and other schools.
“My favorite picture I've ever taken was at the 2023 Colorado High School basketball playoff at the Denver Coliseum. The picture was of Andrew C. from Thunderridge High School now at Cu Boulder shooting a free throw at the end of a very close game. The picture shows how he stayed calm and focused to try and help his team advance to the next round of playoffs."
Cooper began to blow up around this time as he recently joined a photography group named 303 Collective. A local group of many photographers with different styles yet all one common interest, photography. "My biggest mentors now are all the people at the 303 Collective. A group of a bunch of photographers and videographers who share ideas and give out feedback.” He then collaborated and interacted with some of the best high school basketball players in the state. When some used his pictures as profile pictures which is every photographer's biggest compliment.
When asked what the hardest part is he said, "The hardest part is how focused you have to stay. An example is at a football game, you have to keep your eyes on the field so you don't miss a big play or so you don't have to get run over. Also after an event the editing part of all the pictures and videos, you have to stay focused to share your work.” He then states, "What helps me stay working hard and continue photography is my friends and family with how much support they give to me to keep going. Along with other photographers and videographers to help me when they share ideas, or when they comment on my work.”
Cooper has continued working for other football players around the state and at MRHS. He is most looking forward to returning to the Denver Coliseum for the CHSAA basketball playoffs and doing more work with more players and photographers.