Alan Cohen
I can tell you all about how much I love art, and how I've always been more art-minded, versus science-minded (which is true). I can tell you about my really pretty camera and all the cool lens I got. I can even tell you where I learned my techniques, the different workshops I've taken, and how I've self-taught myself into having my own unique photographic eye. All these things can inf
orm you that I am technically qualified for the job, but it doesn't really tell you about who I am. After all, we know it is not the kitchen appliances that make the chef. When I meet someone, I am accustomed to hearing their story, and knowing who they are underneath the layers of public knowledge. I want to know what makes them tick, what makes them beautiful, what makes them unique. You can say this comes from my experience and education as a Master's level mental health therapist (aka a shrink). But I think it has more to do with my need for authentic and sincere connection with people. I love to know how we are all similar, and yet so different. I want to identify what someone's true beauty is. During this process of getting to know me, I get to know you. You tell me your story, your life, sometimes even your secrets. I build this tapestry of who you are, and I come to see you in the artistic angles that you show me. I can paint pictures of you with my camera. And that's what comes out into the photos. I paint who are you with my camera. When you hire me, you are hiring a flawed, unique, beautifully rich and sometimes broken girl-into-woman. I love my family with something fierce inside me. I am in love with the man I married, even after 20 years of being together -- our times together feel like a short forever. I love the two girls we made together, with ingredients that include sugar and spice and yes, even everything nice. I love this perfect world we live in, with all its flaws and its beauty. I love the complex ways we feel and the joys and tears we make. I am a fierce left-wing, human rights activist, with giant idealist values that include equal rights for all and hatred for none. I am a peace activist, and I'm outspoken about my values. I have very few enemies and it's hard for me to say no to someone I care about. I like to make people happy. I like to see children smile. My favorite shows are The Walking Dead (because it speaks to the complexity of the human spirit) and This Is Us (because it's simply a feel-good show that makes me cry way too much). I'm sappy, I'm a hopeless romantic, and I believe in grand gestures. And even if you don't hire me, you would have a friend for life. So if you're curious, and you want to know more, send me a ring and we'll chat. Google Plus Page: https://plus.google.com/+LifeafterdarkCa/posts
