Album Making with Mr. Cooper

John Michael Cooper and his handmade album box set collectiona few supplies...some very precise gluing....


some time with a bone folder....

some squeezing....


and you got a book in the making!

I took a very unique class with the most amazing photographer/creative soul. John Michael Cooper, of Altf, is well known as a genius photographer an innovator in the field of wedding photography, lighting and also custom album making. Yup, not only is he really talented and has a uber-high cool factor, but he custom makes his own albums (and he's got the sweetest wife - but more about her later)! After seeing his Simple Photo Minute piece about how he makes his albums I couldn't pass on the opportunity to learn from him when they announced a class during WPPI. It took two days, lots of patience, more perfectionism than i normally allow myself, a couple pieces of cardboard, fabric, really fast drying glue and low and behold I have myself a very cool little book. As far as educational opportunities, which I am taking as many as I can at this point, this class was worth every single cent. John and his wife Dalisa are very friendly, down to earth, "no question is a dumb question" kind of people. I learned a lot more than just how to make a book and met a lot of very cool people. Seeing everyone elses work was worth its weight in gold. The diversity in the pages was amazing - all beautiful but so very different from each other. On my own I wouldnt be able to make books regularly but fortunately they gave us a DVD (dont ask me for a copy - buy one! I honor these people too much to share) and my husband watched it when he got home. Guess whose even more hooked than I am? Yeah, so we hope to be making our own albums together - go team!!