Artist Bio
About Mimika Cooney…
……….I often get asked what my name, Mimika, means and being of Greek/English origin all I can tell you is what my Greek grandmother says it means – green fingers. Gardening is not my strongest trait (my poor plants never make it passed the second week) but capturing heartfelt memories is definitely what I’m best at. Call me a sentimental romantic!
Born in South Africa just nine days after a political drama put my country on the world map. I’m happy to say that I’ve enjoyed the experiences of light and shade on this journey we call life. Having been schooled in South Africa, and photographically trained in England, it has afforded me the opportunity to appreciate different cultures, languages and points of view. If we were stuck in an elevator together I could amuse you with my different accents and I could ask you ”how you’re doing” in English, Afrikaans, Greek and Zulu hoping to pass the time!
Growing up all my family have been ”memory makers” capturing time in some shape or form. I distinctly remember as a seven year old child watching the silent movies of my father’s childhood growing up in Sudan, that my Papou (Greek for Grandfather, who went to be with the Lord at age 96 years old) proudly displayed on the white sheet he hung on my Yiayia’s (my grandmother) kitchen. This habit carried through my childhood when my father would make me the designated filmographer on family holidays with his ”state-of-the-art” betamax video camera.
My other has also been snappy happy always capturing my first smile, first walk, first ride etc. My Mom’s passion for storytelling had been instilled in me from a young age and what we cherish the most amongst our possessions are the faded family photographs of my great-grandparents and other family memories spanning the range of 100 years. I was tickled pink to discover recently that my great-great-grandfather on my mother’s side was in fact a well know photographic artist in England in the 19th century. Thanks goodness for photographs that document our colorful history!
After trying out a few different career paths, I finally realized my calling when I became a mother. From the moment my first child opened her eyes, I was convinced how important it is to capture the fleeting precious moments that are gone in the blink of an eye. My camera became attached to my hip and I had the joy of capturing every smile, every word and every step my daughter and my son have taken in the last 11 years. My family and I moved from South Africa to England in 2001 whilst I was pregnant with my second child, and again I have had the joy of capturing every special memory my children have given my husband and I. They are truly our greatest achievements and blessings from God. We are so proud to have added our precious baby girl to our jet setting family in 2010, so now we have a child born in three continents LOL!
Photo by Julie Staley
Having had six years previous work experience in the website design, public relations, and the small business management industry; I decided it was time to get away from sitting in front of a computer and pursue my dream of turning my long time ”hobby” of photography into a career. Once my children were old enough to go to school, I made a decision to follow my dreams of starting my own photography business. I’m now living my dream!!!
Although I still find myself sitting in front of a computer some of the time, most of my time is spent enjoying the privilege of sharing in people’s special memories. Having established my photography studio in Britain, we relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2006 where we now reside. We try to travel as often as we can between the UK, South Africa and USA to visit family and check up on things on the other side of the world.
I’ve always loved the arts from dance to image making, and I feel my ‘creative eye’ has given me the edge in being able to create images with style, elegance and artistry. Having received my official photographic training under the auspices of the British Institute of Professional Photographers, as a qualified licentiate member, you are assured of a high standard of quality and a professional service. BIPP qualifications are highly regarded and are recognized across the world as a benchmark of excellence. A Licentiate qualification reflects a high level of experience, skill and achievement. So always choose a qualified professional!
I simply love dancing! With 15 years training and experience as a dancer in ballet, jazz, contemporary, freestyle, latin and tap, I feel I have the enthusiasm, passion and vision to capture the essence of dance…. a non-verbal story. My newest passion is figure skating and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning a new skill – it’s the closest thing to flying!
Life’s a journey Enjoy the ride!…..
Mimika’s work is on display and can be viewed at these venues:
Presbyterian Hospital Main (Maternity ward & in The Nursing Mother’s Place), Charlotte NC
Belly Elan Maternity Store, Charlotte NC
Women’s Hospital, Greensborough NC
Mimika’s work on TV:
PBS TV station documentary for UBPN organization
Mimika has written a Book:
“Boutique Baby Photography” by Mimika Cooney (Amherst Media 2012).
Also see Mimika’s Awards & Press Releases of published work.
Follow me on FACEBOOK Follow me on TWITTER
Accredited by …
British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) www.bipp.com
Society of Wedding & Portrait Professionals (SWPP) www.swpp.co.uk
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) www.ppa.com
Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) www.wppionline.com
Supporter of www.nilmdts.org & www.motheringacrosscontinents.org
