Allen Cooley

I'm Allen Cooley, a commercial photographer based in Atlanta specializing in multicultural beauty.

Twenty years of campaign work has taught me two things.

Learn the tools well enough to know when they stop having the answers.

Professionals aren't defined by what they know. They're defined by what they notice.

Those started as things I said to students, to assistants, to myself on set at the end of long days. A friend heard them and rephrased them like proper quotes. I've kept them ever since. They're the closest thing I have to a working philosophy, and everything I do is downstream of them.

I've served as agency of record for Strength of Nature since 2017, working across Creme of Nature, African Pride, and Soft Sheen Carson. Lead photographer on campaigns for Procter & Gamble, Pantene Gold Series, Head & Shoulders Royal Oils, SheaMoisture, Mielle Organics, The Doux, Aunt Jackie's, CurlBox, GoldNHot, and Indique. Two decades in the multicultural beauty category, mostly quiet, mostly working.

Alongside the commercial practice, I've taught. I'm one of three named national instructors for the Professional Photographers of America Commercial Photography Curriculum. Nine years as graduate photography faculty at SCAD Atlanta. Masterclass at Brigham Young University. My own Business of Photography Workshop, and I host the Hey Photogs Podcast. Teaching keeps the tools sharp. Being on set every week keeps the teaching honest.

I've also maintained a fine art practice. Arnika Dawkins Gallery in Atlanta has represented me since 2014. In 2015 I co-exhibited alongside Sheila Pree Bright, Albert Chong, Renee Cox, John Pinderhughes, and Deborah Willis, Ph.D. Atlanta Magazine ran a profile of my flower series in 2022. I was lead photographer on the Andre Leon Talley: Style Is Forever book, with editorial credits in People and Ebony. In October 2025, I received the inaugural Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards Master's Lens Award.

The commercial work pays the bills. The teaching keeps the craft precise. The fine art keeps me curious about what I'm looking at. On my best days, all three feel like one practice with different rhythms.

If you're a brand director working on something interesting in the multicultural beauty category, a program looking for someone who can teach the craft and the business, or a curator building a group show, I'd like to talk.

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THE COOL COLLECTIVE STUDIOS

The Cool Collective studio is the home base of commercial photographer Allen Cooley. The studio is a culmination of everything Allen has learned about what works and what doesn’t in a photo studio. Being a working photographer, Allen is tuned in to what you need to have a successful shoot. The Cool Collective is available for still photography shoots, as well as film/video shoots. Please inquire about availability and additional details Studio@Thecoolcollective.com

STUDIO

• 80’x30’ shooting area

• Concrete floors throughout

• All White Cyc wall

• Blackout curtains

INCLUDED AMENITIES

• 5- 40” c stand set

• 4- combo stands

• 1- Manfrotto Super Boom

• 2- 25’ stingers

• Full family of apple boxes

• 2- 6’ folding tables

• 8- folding chairs

HAIR/MAKEUP ROOM

• Large private h/mu room

• Double mirror setup and long work counters

• Rolling clothing rack

• Steamer and iron included

• 2 Directors chairs

• 2 Styling chairs

PARKING/LOCATION

• Parking lot for up to 30 vehicles, with additional parking on the south side of building.

• 4 Handicap parking spaces

• Located close to 285, US-278, US-78