We were lucky to catch up with Greg Cohen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Greg, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes naturally, but requires maintenance. The positivity stems from all I love (people, art, food, music, etc) coupled with all I’ve lost. I’m human, so of course I can be pessimistic, but I’ve learned that it’s a choice. I’ve developed an awareness of when I’m drifting into negative thought. When this happens, it (hopefully) triggers a range of contrary actions, usually infused with gratitude, which I use to realign myself. This mindfulness keeps me in the present, much like photography. When I am shooting, I am very much in the moment, and things are more or less quiet. From that place of stillness and clarity I have the most to give.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Atwater Photo Camp is a visual language program that uses photographic activities in a range of settings to build human skills: confidence, connection and character.
APC teaches the tools of photography, but we are primarily focused on how we see. That’s by far the most important part of our camp and being a photographer. Our camp is not an instructional about how to make a pretty picture, instead 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 more 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.
The camp sessions are 5 day photo adventures that run on all major school holidays and from mid June to late August. Each week begins with an orientation, and each day revolves around a theme, where we learn styles of photography. Two or three days a week we shoot on location, visiting parks, galleries, museums or cultural landmarks. The week concludes with a photo exhibit where friends and family celebrate with campers.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Trust yourself. You have something to say and it deserves to be seen or heard.
2. Trust others. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and those whom you trust, creatively and emotionally. Shed the other people, they’re weighing you down.
3. Embrace failure. You’ll fall down, it’s going to happen. Guaranteed. It’s about the getting up.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
The ideal camper for APC is a curious kid who wants to have a ton of fun and is hungry to learn about photography. Our ideal parents are those who want their kids to be passionate about something.
Through clever games and activities designed to challenge the way we see, we cultivate confidence in photography and 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. When we see the light come on for these kids… that not only excites us, but it inspires us to do the same.
In the words of two of our clients…
Everybody sees things differently from everyone else. Greg showed us something and said, “You’re going to see this differently at the end of the week.” And he was right! This camp changed my life. — Wilson, age 8
Great camp. Great teachers. [Atwater Photo Camp] fosters creativity, cultivates independence and builds confidence. The kids traveled all around LA, going to the LA River, DTLA, MOCA, the Broad, the Getty and Dodger Stadium. This camp not only taught my child about art, but it helped them grow as a person. If you want a camp that will ignite your child’s creativity and sense of adventure, then this is it. We loved it. — Jonathan
Contact Info:
- Website: atwaterphotocamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atwaterphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APWseeforyourself
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/atwater-photo-workshops-los-angeles-ca-los-angeles-2
