Features

PHOTO BOOTH: Kieran Cooper

We’ve had our eye on Kieran Cooper’s photography for a while. Simple, classy, graphic BMX images that we find inspiring.

He seems to be able to capture the feeling of freedom BMX gives you – just look at the image above. By spending time with the right riders, who slot in with his style of photography, he’s created some amazing work.

With that in mind, we needed to get to know him a bit better. Scroll on for an interview and some more of his shots.

Above: Fraz Hill in Sheffield

Q&A with Kieran Cooper

– How long have you been shooting photos? And how did you get into it?

“Been shooting photos for 7/8 years maybe, on and off, had a little while not shooting because of getting my camera bag stolen. I guess I first wanted to start filming stuff, so got a camera for Christmas one year and was filming and shooting bits of friends, since then I’ve just really enjoyed documenting the world around me.”

– What camera gear do you typically use?

“Currently I’ve got a Fujifilm X-T1, Fuji 35mm 1.4, 8mm fisheye, also have Fujifilm X-E1 and a cheap 25mm lens for everyday stuff that I love shooting with. Last year I started shooting more film so got a couple film cameras.”

– Who are some of your favourite riders to shoot photos of?

“People who are down to get decent photos and that you can kind of work with to get something you’re both happy with. Robin Bourhis, Fraz Hill and Joe Foley are super easy to shoot.”

– Which other photographers inspire you?

“A lot of skate photographers inspire me to shoot, people like Grant Brittain, Arto Saari and French Fred.”

– What are you aiming to capture in your images?

“I want to document really, show more than just the crazy tricks people are doing. Something just as simple as a barspin on flat ground but with nice light and framing, I guess the simplicity of riding, and try and show more of the personality of the people around me.”

“I want to document the simplicity of riding, and try and show more of the personality of the people around me”

– Outside BMX, what else do you like to shoot photos of?

“I don’t shoot that much outside of BMX because it’s pretty much all I do, though I am starting to shoot more portraits and little bits of street photography recently.”

– Do you have any goals for your photography?

“To shoot more, document more, try and tell more stories of trips and shoot more meaningful photos.”

– What would be your favourite photo you’ve ever shot, and why?

“Probably a nose hanger that Robin Bourhis did in Barca, [above] I just really like the way I framed it and I have so many memories from that trip. I’m so fortunate to have it because my laptop, harddrives and all my gear were stolen right at the end of the trip.”

– Outside photography, what else do you do with your time?

“Recently I’ve been bouldering a little bit, but mostly I just ride all the time, so lots of riding and filming and try shoot whenever I can.”

– What’s coming up next for you?

“At the end of last year I got hooked up by Federal so I’m currently working on a welcome video for them, got a few trips lined up for this year so just a bunch of video and photo stuff to be working on.”