Fotos Fine Photography . . . by Don Cooper
Whether in Corpus Christi or in San Antonio, variety has been there to bring me the most photographic experience which will benefit your photography needs. Since starting with Harvin Co. photography (1984-1994), I have covered weddings, sports, dances, graduations, drill teams, seniors, reunions, groups and multiple hundreds of thousands of school photos.
After about 9 years with O'Neal Studios (1994-2009) we went digital, starting with Fuji cameras, then switching to Nikon. Besides school photography, during this time I steered some attention to group & individual photos for middle and high school sports. A favorite pastime has been photographing the Corpus Christi IceRays (till 2006) and arena football teams here in Corpus Christi, doing their portraits, groups & action photography.
After moving to San Antonio in 2006, while with O'Neal Studios I was privileged to help organize the photography for SAYSAT (San Antonio Youth Soccer Association), one of their largest sports leagues. For 6 years after that employment, I continued to photograph San Antonio’s NEAT (North East Aquatics) teams at the Josh Davis Natatorium. Maintaining a San Antonio connection for over 10 years I photographed the Schertz Stingrays, with 150-200 members, until covid hit in 2020.
After moving back to Corpus Christi in 2009, I had a run of 11 years (till 2020), helping the school photo company Eagle Imaging, which ended when Covid hit. By the time it was over, we did all school district photos for Orange Grove, G-P, and Kingsville (except the high school). For several years I also helped Eagle Imaging photograph Padre Soccer, Tri-City Youth Soccer and G-P Youth Football Leagues.
Personally, Fall 2010, '11 & '12 league work included Padre Youth Football. 2010 was recommended to photograph Corpus Christi's Padre Baseball and the Buffalo Valley Youth Association Volleyball league in Schertz, Texas.
Over the years I've photographed 5 CCISD drill teams and recently as spring 2021 was serving Ray, Carroll, King and Miller's drill teams.
Between 1989 & 1994 at Harvin Company, we were expanding under the name Olin Mills-Harvin Company. We hired a sharp, talented Tom Cruise type guy named JR Rodriguez. After some time with us, he went on to other companies and eventually started the Corpus Christi school photo franchise of Strawbridge Studios, Inc. (SSI home office in Duram, N.C.) SSI is in many states and JR's South Texas territory became the largest in the company. Over the years, we wondered if we'd ever work together again, and in January 2021 it happened. Less than a year after Covid closed Eagle Imaging, I started with SSI and stayed for 2 years.
While retiring from the school photo business in general, I pursue the more leisure side of photos, such as sports. Most work is in Corpus Christi, but I still have some San Antonio accounts.
Trivia- My most famous wedding clients were Jim Lago ("Lago In The Morning" KKTX) and Geoff Bumstead of the Corpus Christi IceRays. Most notable band at a wedding I photographed was Mickey Gilley's brother. (can't remember his name but he was at Northshore Country Club)
I believe the secrets to longevity are diet, suppliments and daily exercise walking 4 legged companions.
All this is made possible by the Lord, to Whom I am grateful. I'm nothing without Him. I believe Covid is a reminder we are in the end times and we should be prepared for His return.
Don Cooper