MICHAEL COHN
I've been shooting photographs for nearly fifty years. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, I work with people at every stage of life, from first dates to wedding days, fresh faces to family portraits, to professionals who need to put their best face forward.My studio is set up for everything from simple portraits to fully built-out creative sets. We can shoot outdoors, at a venue, or anywhere that holds special meaning for you. The location is all part of the magic.Before I ever pick up the camera, I take time to get to know the people in front of it. What matters to them, how they want to be seen, what they hope to hold onto — even if they haven't quite figured that out yet. Whatever we discover together, those photographs become the memories you'll carry with you.
Come on in, have a look around. There's a whole lot to see in the Portfolio.
We can talk when you're ready.
Michael Cohn
I've been shooting photographs for nearly fifty years. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, I work with people at every stage of life, from first dates to wedding days, fresh faces to family portraits, to professionals who need to put their best face forward.My studio is set up for everything from simple portraits to fully built-out creative sets. We can shoot outdoors, at a venue, or anywhere that holds special meaning for you. The location is all part of the magic.Before I ever pick up the camera, I take time to get to know the people in front of it. What matters to them, how they want to be seen, what they hope to hold onto — even if they haven't quite figured that out yet. Whatever we discover together, those photographs become the memories you'll carry with you.
Come on in, have a look around. There's a whole lot to see in the Portfolio.
We can talk when you're ready.
PORTFOLIO
As a photographer, I work across a wide range of subjects — from engagements and weddings to portraits, families, kids, head shots, and a few things that don't fit neatly into any category. Every type of photo shoot brings its own needs and nuances, and I take great care to make sure you have a wonderful experience every step of the way.If you know what you're looking for, go right to the category below. Or poke around and see what catches your eye.Oh, and don't overlook the Other Stuff button — that's home to everything from sports to music and a whole lot in between: the things I shoot because the world is full of good photographs waiting to be taken.
PORTFOLIO
As a photographer, I work across a wide range of subjects — from engagements and weddings to portraits, families, kids, head shots, and a few things that don't fit neatly into any category. Every type of photo shoot brings its own needs and nuances, and I take great care to make sure you have a wonderful experience every step of the way.If you know what you're looking for, go right to the category below. Or poke around and see what catches your eye.Oh, and don't overlook the Other Stuff button — that's home to everything from sports to music and a whole lot in between: the things I shoot because the world is full of good photographs waiting to be taken.
Engagements
Whether you've already said yes and want to celebrate or you need someone to go undercover — parked nearby in a sketchy black van, or a slightly less suspicious plumber's van — I'm there for it. Let's get creative. I do draw the line at wearing bear costumes, though. I just can't see through the camera's viewfinder.All joking aside, an engagement is one of the most significant moments two people can share. These are the photographs you'll be looking at for the rest of your lives together and I take that responsibility seriously.
Weddings
Your wedding day is unlike any other. It's the one day you'll want to remember in every detail — from the quiet moments before the ceremony to the last dance of the night. I'll be there for all of it.Weddings don't offer second chances. Once a moment passes, it's too late. I approach every wedding with that in mind, staying present and attentive from beginning to end so nothing slips by.Whether I'm working solo or alongside a second photographer for larger celebrations, my commitment is the same — to capture every moment of one of the most important days of your life.
Families
The best family photos happen when everyone relaxes, loosens up, and forgets they're even in a photo shoot.I like to get to know everyone first — the quiet ones, the hams, the ones who need a little warming up, and yes, the ones who might have a full meltdown before we're done — because when a family is genuinely having a good time, it shows in every frame.That means you'll walk away with the traditional posed shots for the wall — and plenty of real moments in between that show your family exactly as they are. Those are usually everyone's favorites.
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Portraits
When you look at a great portrait, you should feel something. Not just "nice photo" — something about the person. A mood, a story, a moment that makes you want to know more about who you're looking at.Some of my clients know exactly what they want. The most striking, cinematic version of themselves. A side the world rarely sees. Others arrive with just a feeling, a mood or notion they've never quite been able to put into words. That's where the conversation begins, and where the image starts to take shape.
Kids
Anyone with a phone can take a picture of their kid. What I'm after is something a little more — a moment, a concept, something that gives the photo a reason to exist beyond "here's my child." Sometimes that means building out a full set, props and all, and inviting kids into a world we've created. Other times it's a simpler setup, but the goal is always the same: a photo that's fun, a little unexpected, and lets their personality shine through.Kids don't stay little for long. These are the photos that end up on the wall, get sent to grandparents, and get pulled out of a box decades from now when you can't quite believe how little they were. Time moves more quickly than you think. Let's get ahead of it.
Head Shots
Headshots aren't the most glamorous work, but they matter. Whether it's a LinkedIn photo, a company website, or a book cover, it is often the first impression people have of you. It should look like you on a good day.I can shoot in my studio, at your workplace, or wherever makes sense. The goal is always the same: lighting that works, no glare on your glasses, and making sure you don't look like you're dreading being there. Not everyone is comfortable in front of a camera. That's fine. We'll figure it out.
Commercial Photography
I enjoy shooting commercial photography. Whether it's in my studio or on-site, it gives me a chance to experiment and have some fun. Below, you'll see examples of completely-staged shoots like the drink, lifestyle, close-ups, e-commerce, and on-site shoots. The semi trailer was not only my photo - I also designed the entire trailer wrap. The water towers were shot by drone, of course. I am an FAA licensed pilot.
About Me
The digital shift happened gradually, then all at once. A Sony Mavica borrowed at lunch that saved to a floppy disk! A string of Nikon Coolpix cameras. A D70 that went on countless off-road adventures in my Jeep through Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Moab. Then the Nikon Z5, which felt like a real step forward.When I lost my brother-in-law, Travis, I became the guardian of his Canon 5D Mark IV and some exceptional lenses. He was one of the most talented photographers I've ever known and I think of him every time I pick up the camera. I will forever be in his debt.
I got my first camera in 1977. It was a pocket 110, probably a Vivitar or Kodak, with one of those tall, awkward Flip-Flash bars that stuck straight up. You definitely couldn't wear a hat.My aunt took it further. She shot 35mm film and had her own black and white darkroom, and I was fascinated by it even though I barely understood what I was looking at. That curiosity stuck. In college, I talked my way into a job at a Ritz Camera shop in Philadelphia — I'm not sure they knew how little I knew — and bought my first 35mm, a Nikon 6006. I still have it.For years, photography was something I loved but couldn't fully afford. I spent much of my early career doing live sound engineering, touring the USA, working at major label recording studios, clubs in the northeast and Austin, and churches in Birmingham. The camera came along for all of it, mostly shooting on auto and figuring it out as I went.
I now shoot primarily on a Canon R6 Mark II, with two 5D Mark IVs as backup bodies and a collection of lenses I'm genuinely proud of.My first paid work was a multi-page feature on a Jeep Jamboree in Texas for JP Magazine in 1998. Since then I've contributed to Adobe Stock, Pexels, Canva, and Wikimedia Commons, where my photos appear on Wikipedia pages for major sports teams, events, and artists. My photo of Rod Stewart has over 1.3 million views.I built my studio in Birmingham, where I shoot portraits, headshots, kids, families, and whatever else walks through the door. I have a degree in Radio, TV, and Film, a background in digital marketing, and around 50 years of having cameras in my hands.I also have two basset hounds, Amos and Bella, and my wife, Gina, without whom none of this would be possible.
I got my first camera in 1977. It was a pocket 110, probably a Vivitar or Kodak, with one of those tall, awkward Flip-Flash bars that stuck straight up. You definitely couldn't wear a hat.My aunt took it further. She shot 35mm film and had her own black and white darkroom, and I was fascinated by it even though I barely understood what I was looking at. That curiosity stuck. In college, I talked my way into a job at a Ritz Camera shop in Philadelphia — I'm not sure they knew how little I knew — and bought my first 35mm, a Nikon 6006. I still have it.For years, photography was something I loved but couldn't fully afford. I spent much of my early career doing live sound engineering, touring the USA, working at major label recording studios, clubs in the northeast and Austin, and churches in Birmingham. The camera came along for all of it, mostly shooting on auto and figuring it out as I went.
About Me
The digital shift happened gradually, then all at once. A Sony Mavica borrowed at lunch that saved to a floppy disk! A string of Nikon Coolpix cameras. A D70 that went on countless off-road adventures in my Jeep through Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Moab. Then the Nikon Z5, which felt like a real step forward.When I lost my brother-in-law, Travis, I became the guardian of his Canon 5D Mark IV and some exceptional lenses. He was one of the most talented photographers I've ever known and I think of him every time I pick up the camera. I will forever be in his debt.
I now shoot primarily on a Canon R6 Mark II, with two 5D Mark IVs as backup bodies and a collection of lenses I'm genuinely proud of.My first paid work was a multi-page feature on a Jeep Jamboree in Texas for JP Magazine in 1998. Since then I've contributed to Adobe Stock, Pexels, Canva, and Wikimedia Commons, where my photos appear on Wikipedia pages for major sports teams, events, and artists. My photo of Rod Stewart has over 1.3 million views.I built my studio in Birmingham, where I shoot portraits, headshots, kids, families, and whatever else walks through the door. I have a degree in Radio, TV, and Film, a background in digital marketing, and around 50 years of having cameras in my hands.I also have two basset hounds, Amos and Bella, and my wife, Gina, without whom none of this would be possible.
Contact
Hi! Thanks for your interest. Take just a moment to fill out the contact form and I'll be in touch as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.
I'm a photographer who actually does his own work, with minimum use of AI.