Cohen Studios Books 72 Clients In One Day

– Online marketing event proves very successful –

March 5, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Max Cohen of Cohen Studios in Raleigh has become a big fan of Groupon.com, a website that uses “collective buying power” to create all sorts of deals for its users.

After advertising a deeply discounted portrait session on Groupon recently, Cohen booked 72 sessions in one day.

Cohen opened his professional photography studio in downtown Raleigh 2009. Since then, he’s been open to a variety of methods for raising awareness of his services in wedding, portrait, commercial and editorial photography. When a representative for Groupon came calling, he thought he’d give it a try.

“The people at Groupon contacted me about featuring my studio on their homepage. I’d actually never heard of them before, but it seemed like a good idea because, even though the deep discount cuts into profit, I could see how it could bring people in the door. As a new businesses, that’s extremely important. But I would honestly never have guessed that it would have gotten me 72 clients in one day.”

He noted that a number of folks who contacted him via Groupon are pregnant women, “which means I’ll be the first one to give them a professional portrait with their new child. That’s quite a privilege.”

Groupon (www.groupon.com/raleigh-durham/) offers a “deal of the day” in over 30 cities, including the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area. Discounts on everything from photography and spa services to restaurant items and horse trail rides range from 50 percent to 90 percent off of the regular prices.

“By promising businesses a minimum number of customers, we get discounts you won’t find anywhere else,” says the website. “If not enough people sign up, then the deal is canceled, and the buyer won’t be charged.

Groupon makes its money by taking a percentage of each Groupon deal they sell.

Cohen said he intends to keep using this online marketing opportunity as he builds his clientele.

“I have talked to the people at Groupon, and we’re definitely going to be doing more features on the studio throughout the year,” he said. “So that means every few months there will be greatly reduced prices on various services that I offer.  I have high hopes for it.”

For more information on Cohen Studios, visit www.cohenstudios.com.

For more information on Groupon, go to www.groupon.com.

About Cohen Studios

A graduate of the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, Max Cohen of Cohen Studios has been a professional photographer for five years, working in both digital photography and film. At H.I.P., he was exposed to a wide range of technical skills and studied under world-renown photographers as instructors and guest speakers. Describing himself as a “generalist,” he enjoys all types of subjects, from children and high school senior portraits to commercial and editorial assignments. For more information, visit www.cohenstudios.com. Cohen Studios is also available on Facebook and Citysearch.

Cohen Studios, Lather Hair Salon Collaborate for Fashion Portfolios

Photos by Cohen Studios, hair by Jessica Williams, Lather Hair Salon

February 10, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Photographer Max Cohen of Cohen Studios and Jessica Williams of Lather Hair Salon decided to pool their creative resources recently to build both of their portfolios.

Williams needed to create and document a few color and styling techniques that she doesn’t often get to do in the day-to-day work of a hair salon.

“As much as I love treating, cutting, coloring and styling hair for everyday wear, sometimes it’s fun — and challenging — to stretch the envelope, so to speak, and show the edgier side of my artistry,” said Williams, whose salon was recently named one of Raleigh’s trendiest hair salons by American Salon magazine. Her work is also featured in this month’s Rouge magazine. “Bold color and dramatic cuts are seldom requested by our ‘regular’ clients!”

Williams is also applying to become a training specialist for Wella hair care products and needed photos of her work to accompany the application.

Enter Max Cohen of Cohen Studios in downtown Raleigh.

For several months, Williams has displayed examples of Cohen’s work on a wall in the salon. They’d met during a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser for which they’d both volunteered. It seemed natural to ask him to collaborate.

“And I was more than happy to do it,” said Cohen, who specializes in portraiture and wedding photography. “I was already interested in expanding the fashion portion of my portfolio, so when Jessica approached me about shooting some examples of her edgier work, I immediately saw how it would benefit both of us.”

Williams found three clients who were willing to let her go a bit extreme with their hair. For one model, she added bold reds to her long brown hair then shortened the cut with multiple layering to create a sweeping silhouette around her head. “Very rock-n-roll,” Williams quipped.

For another model, Williams created deep, heavy bangs, or “fringe,” then added warm browns to the model’s original color as well as bold blond chunks to dramatically lighten the top. A hint of curl around the model’s face completes the look.

For the only guy in the group, Williams opened up the facial area and turned a previously shaggy style into a striking geometric look.

The photo sessions took place in the salon, in Cohen’s studio, and near a train track that slices through downtown Raleigh where for natural lighting.

“I wanted to do some studio shots because that would allow me to emphasize the hair without environmental distractions,” Cohen said.

Williams and Cohen intend to continue collaborating as both professionals build their portfolios.

“It was a lot of fun,” Cohen said.

Williams agreed. “Max is really easy to work with, and seeing my work through his gorgeous images is exciting.”

For more information on Lather Hair Salon, visit www.latherhairsalonnc.com

For more information on Cohen Studios, visit www.cohenstudios.com.

Cohen Studios To Capture “After” Portrait for Make-over Contest Winner

Max Cohen © Cohen Studios

January 21, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Max Cohen of Cohen Studios in Raleigh has volunteered to provide a free photographic portrait of the results of a hair and makeup make-over for the winner of a Raleigh salon contest.

Lather Hair Salon recently announced its “Help Me, Lather! I Need A Make-Over!” Essay Contest. Contestants send the salon a 250-word essay, with photo, on why they or someone they nominate deserves a full, free make-over.

The winner will receive as many services as she wants: cut, color, styling and more, plus full make-up application. When the process is complete, Cohen Studios will capture the results in a free color portrait.

“It’s going to be interesting to see who wins,” Cohen said, “and how transformative the results will be. I’m really excited about documenting the ‘new look’ and that special moment for the winner.”

The contest is open now through February 28^th.

Cohen has collaborated with Lather Hair Salon on other projects and is currently showing examples of his work in the salon, which is located off Glenwood Avenue/Highway 70W, near Carmax. (For more information on Lather Hair Salon and the “Help Me, Lather! I Need A Make-Over!” Essay Contest, go to www.latherhairsalonnc.com.)

Max Cohen has extensive experience with formal studio portrait photography and environmental portraiture in both black and white and color, on film and digitally. His website, www.cohenstudios.com., includes portrait galleries, as well as galleries of family portraits, wedding photography, and urban landscapes.

For more information on Cohen Studios, go to www.cohenstudios.com.

Cohen Studios Rolls Out Spring Wedding Specials

January 13, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – With the holidays behind them, future Spring brides are starting to concentrate on their wedding plans. With that in mind, wedding photographer Max Cohen of Cohen Studios in downtown Raleigh has announced a list of special offers for brides who book their wedding photography in January or February.

Brides who purchase the Studio Collection – which includes unlimited hours of coverage for the wedding and reception, 800 to 900 images, and a proofing album with 500 images – will receive an engagement portrait and a bridal portrait for free. These portraits generally cost $695 per session.

Those who sign a contract for any wedding collection on the day of the initial consultation will also receive a 20”x30” stretched canvas print for free, valued at $495. 

Brides who book their wedding photography in January or February will also be able to hire a second photographer for 20 percent off the usual cost of $800.

“Second photographers are great for capturing different events in different locations at once,” Cohen explained. “So if a bride and groom are getting ready in separate locations, everything gets captured and a lot of time is saved. Having two photographers is also great for getting multiple angles of the same event.”

Cohen Studios is located in Raleigh’s trendy Warehouse District at 311 Martin Street. For more information and to see the studio’s Wedding Gallery, go to www.cohenstudios.com.

To make an appointment for a wedding photography consultation, call Max Cohen at 919-413-5180.

About Cohen Studios

A graduate of the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, Max Cohen of Cohen Studios has been a professional photographer for five years, working in both digital photography and film. At H.I.P., he was exposed to a wide range of technical skills and studied under world-renown photographers as instructors and guest speakers. Describing himself as a “generalist,” he enjoys all types of subjects, from children and high school senior portraits to commercial and editorial assignments. For more information, visit www.cohenstudios.com. Cohen Studios is also available on Facebook and Citysearch.