"I love photography, it is like my therapy. When I get stressed out with work and life I know I can pick up my camera and it all just melts away. I have been around the world shooting photographs and for me there is nothing like shooting the sunrises and sunsets, lighthouses and wildlife in south Mississippi. "
Rich Kopp
I was born and raised in Biloxi and always loved being near the water. I grew up in a military family and entered the military in 1975.
In 1982 I started teaching myself photography. Since that time, I have taught myself to use 35mm, medium-format ,4X5 cameras, and studio lighting systems. I have shot photos in most areas of photography, from aerials to weddings to car shows. In 1987 I started shooting his Civil War Ghost photos at the reenactments at Beauvoir with medium format gear and now in digital.
I spent 20 years in the military and retired from the Air Force in 1997. My last 7 years were spent in the 1st Combat Camera Squadron shooting video and stills.
After retirement I spent two and a half years with WLOX as a news and sports photographer & editor. In 1999 I was hired by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as the district photographer.
Since 2004, through reading, practice and experimentation, I have taught myself to use many different Nikon digital systems and Photoshop.
At the college, I shoot most events, portraiture, sports and even landscapes of the campuses for advertising and all publications. I also shoot video of various events and sports to use in video projects and Bulldog Blitz for the college. I was also the lead videographer for college's participation in the Veterans History Project.
I have taught classes in fundamentals of photography as part of the college’s Community Campus Continuing Education program. I’m also a camera operator/trainer and director at the First Baptist Church of Biloxi for the Sunday-morning 11 a.m. service, which is broadcast on local ABC affiliate WLOX –TV.
Be sure to check out Rich's website:
http://imagesbyrichkopp.zenfolio.com/