Dogs are my Specialty!

Don’t forget dog photos are a specialty! I have been working with dogs since I was a child and am very knowledgeable about all breeds as well as have shown dogs since 1995. Dogs in general are my specialty and adding the photography side to that is just a big huge PLUS SIGN.

I just want to reach out here and let people know that not only am I very open to working with dogs for photos but also open to working with rescue organizations and all breed clubs!!  Just email me! rocookie@yahoo.com

Please enjoy just a few recent super cute photos of “Squirt”, a boston terrier,  from my most recent Valentine’s shoot.

 

ALSO SEE:
Robin Cook Real Estate Photography      Robin Cook Photography FACEBOOK Page

Still a Winner in the Hearts of Many

On Thursday, the big reveal for who won the Gateway Macon Macon Mogul contest was revealed. The room was buzzing…. so many excited and hopeful hearts and minds present including mine. I could barely breathe I was filled with so much anticipation for “What is coming up?!”. The winner was announced and it wasn’t me, it was a company called TailsSpin that I wish all the best of luck to. They are a store that sells the good dog food and accessories and such and they seem to really have it together. Before they announced the winner however, they preempted with telling us that all us finalist had plans made for us and that they would be in touch with helping us out. I think we all were too stunned by that statement to even soak in the happiness for the winners!

After, we all mingled and I was again overwhelmed with those coming up to me that knew of me, or loved my work. It will never cease to amaze me to find out I have real actual fans. This especially since I don’t really do marketing and the primary source of clientele is via Facebook and word of mouth. That’s pretty awesome!  I have tried some marketing on sites, in magazines and never got one inquiry. I guess word of mouth really is the strongest force.

So I was left with the rest of the day to ponder on things I had already been obsessing about such as “How can I get this studio truly off the ground?!” I am told people will be contacting me with ideas and all the what ifs are what have me up so stinkin’ early.  I need a meeting to show my current issues with where I am and what I need to make it better or what I need in another space. I do love my space but it has some pretty serious things and after all- it is still a space and not a ‘business’ front. So if anyone is reading this and wants to/is able to help out a true entrepreneur in Macon that wants to continue to have a business downtown – just ask!

I have to get my ducks in a row now. I have to figure out who can help me get my studio ready FULLY so it has a big sign, good lighting, finished paint/colors from top to bottom, getting the word out via – however!, keeping the word out, getting LOCALS to use me instead of just know I am there. So many people say “I love your work!!” but none book. It’s like me going in any specialty store like a Ginger Michelle and telling them “I love your stuff, but I will never buy it”. It leaves a person stumped because I personally want to please and work with everyone of all types. I have been downtown now for 10 months and am still right under the radar. I feel sure this is going to bring the help I need to jet straight on up. I know I will do everything in my own power and beyond to make it happen.

I am so happy to have been bombarded with so many “You are always a winner” type messages in the end. I know some people truly think of me as a winner in their heart and I am deeply appreciative.

Stay tuned for more news as I will be keeping “the world” up to date with my venture.

But for now- I leave you with 2 photos from my latest Pinup shoot.  The absolutely stunning Andrea, MUAH by the phenominal Candypants Cunningham.  This is a recreation of a Gil Elvgren print. Bookmark and go look at my new PINUP page to see more! http://robincookpinups.wordpress.com/

 

ALSO SEE:
Robin Cook Real Estate Photography      Robin Cook Photography FACEBOOK Page

Tags: ducks in a row, facebook, serious things, true entrepreneur

Separated the Pinup Work!

Please visit and BOOKMARK this page http://robincookpinups.wordpress.com/ to keep up with my pinup work specifically! I do so much of it, that it seemed best to just break it apart so people can just dive straight in!

Gateway Macon Macon Mogul Competition- FINALIST

Yes, I am so thrilled I made it past the first phase and am one of the 19 finalist out of 90 entrants for this absolutely amazing opportunity offered by Gateway Macon.

You can read the article in the Macon Telegraph that was done after the Macon Mogul Mixer we had last week where us finalist got to meet each other and the judges got to meet us. I expected there to be a handful of people wandering through but the 567 Center for Renewal was jam packed! I was overwhelmed with not only the response to my work but how many fans I have out there and don’t even know about! Apparently my work proceeds me and it just astounds me when I have people come up to shake my hand and tell me they love and follow my work.

In this competition, we are competing for a Grand Prize package valued at $50,000 to help get a business started downtown. Everyone knows I have a studio space downtown but this could give me the opportunity to have a FINISHED full business ready for viewing and visiting! It would give me help with advertising, marketing, and get me seen throughout the Central GA area and even moreso throughout the Southeast. Really I want the WORLD To know and come to me! I will be able to offer full sets such a retro kitchen, and a full bathroom and more space for whatever my mind can come up with! I have watched businesses come and go downtown during the past year and yet I am not like those other businesses. I won’t be there a few months and then be gone. I plan to be there and grow as long as possible. I don’t rely on people to buy clothes or food but instead book up and am constantly moving forward. I know there will be slow times just as there will be times that will be so busy that my head will be spinning!  I am ready Gateway Macon. Let’s make this BIG.

If anyone would like to type some words of support on the Gateway Macon’s Facebook page or on Gateway Macon’s Twitter-  they are encouraging it! I need ALL the support and fans I can get! I want to make this experience the best possible for you!

 

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 50,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 19 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Saying goodbye to a FANTASTIC 2011!!!

2011 may have started out a little slow but by March it was off and absolutely ROCKING. In March I opened the doors to a very quaint studio that’s really more like an apartment than a business and things went to volume 11 before I had barely gotten in the doors. I have met some of the most amazing people this year through photography and via downtown Macon and am planning to make 2012 make 2011 look puny! Back up to the end of January, I shot the WORLD FAMOUS Star Wars gallery – also called “Star Wars Last Supper” it seems in history and it was reblogged by 33 top “Geek” blogs including Geek-News.MTV and I’m actually in the IMDB database! This blogpost and those blogposts are still being viewed over a hundred times a day. That’s pretty damn exciting.

I had work in 46 publications,  had 4 covers,  2 photographer features in magazines, 7 Calendars and had a few other cosplays that went viral/were reblogged on Tumblr over 100,000 times and if you google “Robin Cook Star Wars”, over a million hits come up. All and all- it sounds like a LOT but I have way more to do. I worked with Star Wars costumers, Ghostbusters, BadGirl Villians, Video Game Girls, Zombies, Pinups, Dogs, Musicians, Models, business owners and enjoyed it all!

I am so very thankful for every single soul that came to work with me and became my friend.  YOU are my inspiration and my motivation!!

2012 I plan to make this business GROW. I’ll be offering more shoots and doing some traveling as requested! I better get busy now!

In the meantime, enjoy my FAVORITES from 2011!

Tessa Spangler
MUAH: Sarah – Lady MUA

STAR WARS LAST SUPPER!

Maggie Munster
MU: Ashley Croft
Hair: Nichole Mitchell, Signature Salon

Catwoman- Amber Lu
MUAH: Cherry Dame

Christian Williams
MU: Ashley Croft…. Hair: Nichole Mitchell, Signature Salon

Ashley Croft

Haley Hellian
MUAH: Molly MUAH

Karinna Atlee

and my TOP 2 Favorites:

Shannon (Sushi SunDae)
(MUAH: Cherry Dame)

Amy G
(MUAH: Cherry Dame)

Tags: ashley croft, game girls, geek news, karinna, signature salon, star wars gallery

New Photos of the Studio

This week I broke down and got a wonderful friend of mine to go in and just clean and re-organize the studio while I wasnt there. When she was done and I walked in- I almost stumbled because she did such a fantastic job! I get so overwhelmed with cleaning of such a large place! It’s so gorgeous now and now I’m ready to paint it! This weekend I’m having a birthday party there and then come the first of the year, it’s time to get everything pumping all over again and stronger than 2011!

Enjoy!

 

Slave Leia meets a Wampa

So everyone knows I have such a thing for Star Wars (the originals of course!) and just recently I found the most amazing Wampa Rug over at ThinkGeek. I had him in my cart for months and a few weeks ago I just said heck with it, I am getting him! My friend Karinna just got in her Slave Leia costume so we thought it would be fun to put the 2 together for a cute little remix. Karinna also wanted to show off her new Ewok tattoo which can be seen in a few of the shots. I do STILL plan to have another big Star Wars shoot and for now it’s planned for FEBRUARY 2012. I just have to get the people/costumes together and some props!!!

First a little classic Leia!

now on to the Wampa!

so freshy fresh!

and ending with just one of her!

Macon Mogul Competition Update!

I am so excited to report I made it to the next round “Phase 2″ for the Macon Mogul competition! I am not only excited but feel very determined as well as very anxious and nervous.  For those that don’t know what that is. Please check out Gateway Macon’s Macon Mogul Competition.  Apparently there were 90 entrants from all over Georgia and I made the cut- 20 finalist. I am determined to win this because I believe in what I do and I love what I do, however, I know that means there are 19 other entrants that may be absolutely amazing and I am sure they completely believe in their vision also. I think it’s fantastic so many people entered and have dreams of having a business in downtown Macon. I know my vision is not “the norm”. I am a photographer that specializes in Pinup, Glamour, Cosplay and also Real Estate. My work is  not that common in a place full of incredible family and child photographers. I realized early on that although I love working with families and children, that I moreso love working with more dramatic style portraiture and more creative endeavors. Also, I know how fantastic our local photographers are and instead of competing, it made more sense to make my own way. I guess that’s just how I am. I see the trail everyone is following and instead I have a curious mind and feel the pull to take that winding path to the side and find all the little special treasures it holds.

So, Phase 2, here I am.  All of Georgia – you may not realize I am here yet …but you will!  I am already obsessing about it and had to take a break from reality to post what was in my head and am looking forward to learning how to complete the needed information in order to MAKE THIS HAPPEN! Things like “competitive analysis and marketing strategies” seem overwhelming to figure out but I will do this.

It’s HOTTER HERE in Macon, Georgia and I plan to make it even HOTTER! Thank you for all the support from any of my fans and friends because I really need it more than ever right now to get this done and hopefully make you all proud!

Time to get Raw

I think as a business owner in the world of photography, I am not supposed to get raw and show I have such a soft side and need support or may be struggling, however, since I am not one to follow the standard, I am going to get raw here.

Things had been going particularly good last year which is why I decided to push hard as hell to move forward into a studio. The beginning was great and then I started trying to get my name out even more. I have pretty much begged for support from the community yet continue to be ignored. I can only think maybe I am just not speaking to the right people or possibly speaking the right way. I seem to have a wonderful group of fans that love me dearly yet seriously I am unable to break through some barrier to get my name out there. Is ‘Robin Cook Photography’ just too plain and easy to look over? I don’t know what I am doing wrong but I need to know where I am failing. Also- I had plenty of locals want me to work for them until they realized I was going to charge for my work and the same goes for people wanting to book. (I mean- how I could I be charging, I’m just a person with a camera.) Seriously- this is a business!!

I am working hard for this. I guess I need to push more barriers or work longer hours or push my work out there more!  Here I am at 5am blogging this out! Some people are content to just plod through each day the same way but I am not. And some days I may be too tired to lift my arms but dammit I want to keep going.

I seriously need community support if I am going to make it downtown. Otherwise I am going to go back to doing on-location work which is definitely a big challenge with all the studio material I make. As it is now, I live an hour away from my studio and chose to be in the location I am in just to make it convenient to the world. Maybe it’s just me. You can’t tell me is the economy when all the other photogs in town are slammed/booked up. I know I am different. Sometimes that’s a wonderful thing and sometimes it’s absolutely not. I face many challenges such as finding a reliable steady and very experienced makeup and hair artist to work with that people will come for…..and working this career as well as a day job which means I do not have days off…. and all the travel just to either work at the studio or go out of town to do location work… and of course money, and marketing and yadayada- we all as professional photographers have these same challenges. Yet I keep on going! I have to wonder if part of the issue is that sometimes just like in American Idol- sometimes a favorite gets voted off and we get so mad and wonder why. When actually what happened is that everyone thought that person had so much support that their vote wasn’t needed so they voted for someone less fortunate. It’s always important to continue supporting those you really enjoy.

I make things like this-

and this

and this…..which is totally unrelated

and this

but also this….

and this…

but also this…

*le sigh*
I plan to jump into 2012 like a damned explosion and once again, give it all I’ve got but I do need to know if I need to improve, change, or go away.  Technically I will never go away, I’m not good at the giving up. I’m not done here but do need support immediately and am praying hard for opportunities and doors to open!

SO much love to my fans, friends and family.
“I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”  ―Abraham Lincoln