One of the main goals of MankatoLIFE.com is to show there’s a lot more going on around our region than most people realize as well as to introduce you to the people behind it all. One of the ways we plan to do that is with photographs. One of the people behind the photographs is Noah Cope of Noah Cope Photography.
Introductions
MankatoLIFE: Are you from the Mankato area?
Cope: No, I am originally from Dayton Ohio.
MankatoLIFE: How long have you been here?
Cope: Since I was around two years old, so about 17 years!
MankatoLIFE: What do you like best about Mankato and the surrounding region?
Cope: There’s a lot of nature around here, and really great people.
MankatoLIFE: How long have you been working in photography?
Cope: I have been taking pictures for about four years now. However, I’ve only been doing it professionally for about a year and a half.
I take a lot of photos and do even more editing! No two shoots are ever the same, so I just like to be prepared for anything. Also coffee. Coffee is important.
Process
MankatoLIFE: How did you get started?
Cope: I had just gotten a phone with a camera on it and saw a guard rail that I thought would look cool with the sun falling behind it and so I took the picture. Then I proceeded to pose my friend in all sorts of ways until it got dark! Ever since then I’ve loved taking pictures and decided to try and do it for a living!
MankatoLIFE: How did you learn?
Cope: For the most part I’ve been self taught. My mother always told me I had a good eye so I’ve just gone with it. I have done a few online courses and worked with other artists, but for the most part I’m just figuring it out as I go along.
MankatoLIFE: How long does a project take?
Cope: Taking an actual photo typically takes 1/125th of a second! But the actual work always depends. I’ll always shoot photos until I feel comfortable with what I have, and editing can take anywhere from one to six hours!
MankatoLIFE: Can you describe your process?
Cope: I take a lot of photos and do even more editing! No two shoots are ever the same, so I just like to be prepared for anything. Also coffee. Coffee is important.
MankatoLIFE: Is there a good photographic community in the area?
Cope: There are a lot of professionals and a lot of amateurs in the Mankato area. And it’s really cool! So many cool people to meet and partner with!
MankatoLIFE: What is something you didn’t expect?
Cope: I really never expected to try and make this a full time job. When I started taking photos, it was just something I would do from time to time. It really took a while before I realized this is what I would like to do with the rest of my life.
Noah can be reached through his Facebook page or through the MankatoLIFE Contact page.
