A HERA Magazine International Interview
Photography can be about capturing a fleeting moment, creating a particular mood or finding beauty in an unexpected setting. For Steven Cohen, the photographer behind Impactful Images LA, colour, depth and atmosphere are central to the images he creates.
His portfolio moves comfortably between glamorous portraits, fashion photography and sunlit Californian beaches. From the warmth of a sunset to the carefully composed elegance of an indoor portrait, his photographs demonstrate how lighting, location and collaboration can give each image its own character.
HERA Magazine International caught up with Steven to discuss his photographic journey, his creative process and the experiences that have shaped his work.
The HERA Interview
Hera: Let’s start at the beginning! How did your journey into photography begin, and what was it that first made you want to pick up a camera?
Steven: When I was in high school I found my father’s camera. It was completely manual and used film, so at some point I gave up. Years later after having a kid, I began photographing him in his sports and a friend who became my first mentor told me to not give up, that my sports photos were very good.
Hera: Your Instagram describes your work as creating images that are rich in colour and depth. What does that philosophy mean to you, and how does it influence the photographs you create?
Steven: There are so many amazing photographers on FB and IG. It can be inspiring but also depressing. For a few years I focused on becoming a better editor using Lightroom and Photoshop, and I realized I needed to become a better photographer as well. So when I am preparing for a photoshoot I study the light and scene, and when I edit I try to use the principal of complementary colors to make my subject pop in the images I create.
Hera: Your portfolio features everything from glamorous studio portraits to beautiful outdoor and beach photography. Do you have a favourite style of photography, or do you enjoy the freedom of exploring different looks?
Steven: I shoot everything from sports, to equestrian, landscape and working with models. I seem to be focused more on capturing models at this stage in my in my life so that if I can get good enough agencies would want to collaborate with me.
Hera: Working with models is clearly a big part of your photography. How do you help someone feel relaxed and confident in front of your camera, particularly if they’re relatively inexperienced?
Steven: Since I have no formal photography or art background, I use AI to create mood boards similar to what the model and I want to create. Showing him/her the different images helps them with their pose and also helps me with the lighting scheme. I also use humor to help them relax. Also when we begin shooting I take breaks and show them images we are creating on my camera or iPad and once they see how beautiful they are in them that helps a lot.
Hera: Some of your photographs have a wonderfully cinematic quality. How much of a shoot do you plan beforehand, and how much comes from spontaneous moments and inspiration on the day?
Steven: I rarely like to show up to a shoot without a basic mood board or plan. I even like to know where the light might be coming from so I know if I will be using fill light (if its coming from the side) or I will be shooting into the sun. But it just means I have an idea which most times it changes when I get to the shoot. So I adapt pretty quickly.
Hera: Lighting can completely transform a photograph, whether you’re working with natural sunlight or a carefully controlled studio setup. Which do you prefer, and what challenges do you enjoy about each?
Steven: I like to control the light. I don’t like to have dark shadows hiding details or even eyes, so most of the time I like to bring at least one light that helps me to bring up shadows as needed in any situation. There is a very famous photographer Zhuo Ya in Australia that does location shoots in amazing locations and he always uses a light in this manner as well. He places the light in just the right place so that your eyes don’t even realizes its being used.
Hera: Photography is often about collaboration. How much creative input do your models have during a shoot, and have their ideas ever taken a photograph somewhere completely unexpected?
Steven: I really enjoy collaborating with the models. I can’t shoot too often because of my day job, but once I create the mood board or they provide one we then figure out where the shoot should take place and what she plans on wearing. Then during the shoot we talk about which poses we are focusing on as well as ones they want to experiment.
Hera: Every photographer has those moments when everything comes together perfectly. Is there a particular photograph or shoot you’re especially proud of, and what’s the story behind it?
Steven: Lately my shoots are looking more professional, especially because the editing tools have become so much more powerful. I also use tools like ChatGPT where I will ask it for ideas how to make an image pop even more then what my edit has created. Then I use those ideas in Photoshop.
Hera: Looking back over your photography journey, what’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned, and what advice would you give someone just starting out in portrait or glamour photography?
Steven: Be open minded and don’t push the model too hard in the direction you want the shoot to go. They might not be able to articulate what they want to accomplish, so as you take breaks during the shoot, ask them what they think and allow them to change the path of where the shoot might end up.
Hera: Finally, what does the future hold for Impactful Images LA? Are there any creative projects, locations or photographic styles you’d particularly love to explore next?
Steven: I am looking towards retiring from my day job in technology, and hope to shoot on a more regular basis and at the same time travel more with my wife around the globe as well.
A Final Word from HERA
What makes Steven Cohen’s photography interesting is not simply the variety of subjects and locations he photographs, but the thought he puts into creating each image.
Throughout our conversation, a few themes emerge: his attention to lighting, his willingness to learn and his belief that photography works best when the model is an active participant in the creative process.
We particularly enjoyed his approach to helping models feel comfortable. Taking time to show them photographs during a shoot, encouraging their ideas and allowing the original plan to evolve are small things that can make a considerable difference.
There’s also something refreshing about Steven’s openness towards technology. Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a replacement for photographic skill, he uses it as another creative resource, whether developing mood boards before a shoot or exploring ways to improve an image during editing.
And although he has already built a varied portfolio, it’s clear that he still sees photography as a journey of discovery.
With retirement potentially bringing more opportunities to travel and photograph, we look forward to seeing where that journey takes him next.
Our sincere thanks to Steven Cohen of Impactful Images LA for sharing his experiences, insights and beautiful photography with HERA Magazine International.
Photography: Steven Cohen — Impactful Images LA
All photographs published with the photographer’s permission.
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