Hi there ! My name is Steven Chester Cooley, a documentary-style event photographer, headshot photographer, and product photographer born and raised in the Napa Valley. My grandfather, Chester Cooley, jump started my love for photography when I was 12 years old by selling me his old Olympus OM-10 camera with a 50mm lens…classic. I learned to develop my own black & white film in high school and fell in love with the entire process even more.

Life took a turn and I didn’t pursue photography as a career…pretty much gave it up while I took a totally different career path. Now, over 30 years later, I have found myself in a position where I have rekindled my love for photography and turned it into a thriving business.

Wait…you mentioned documentary-style event photography? What is that? Many people have their own thoughts on the subject and this is my take:

It’s similar to photojournalism in the way it follows a special event in real time and captures unscripted, unrehearsed, genuine moments without any disruption to the event or guests. The images are then stitched together to collectively produce an accurate story of the event. It is a style that has been used at the highest levels in the past to document everything from wars to environmental and social issues.

So you’re just taking candid snapshots?

No, it goes way deeper than that. Patience, emotion and strong compositional skills are key to making this style of photography come alive. When done correctly it can be very powerful. During events I weave in and out of groups; I try to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time capturing true and honest moments that you can’t get from posing people. How many times have you seen people pose for a picture, put on a fake smile, and then immediately return to whatever they were doing. It’s not natural. I capture people AUTHENTICALLY having an amazing time at an amazing venue. I always take “traditional” event group shots but that’s not my primary focus. Honestly, when you hire me, I never think about “documenting the event.” I am really trying to make art while giving you images you can use for marketing purposes and images that you will want to hang on your walls.

When you look at your completed gallery it is always clear in the images that everyone had a great time. I think the best thing to do is open the Event Portfolio link, choose an event that catches your eye, click on it and see if my style is a good match for your brand.

If you want something a little different from the standard, “Ok, everyone smile…1,2,3 !” then welcome my friend, you’re in the right place!

Our books are always open for events, headshot, and product sessions. Click on the Contact Us link and let’s get started!