Venn Ambassador Spotlight: Jeremy Cohen - Brooklyn Photographer and Quarantine Star
If anyone has made lemonade out of lemons in 2020, it’s talented NYC-based photographer Jeremy Cohen @jermcohen. While New York was under lockdown in March, he began noticing and photographing people in his neighborhood on their rooftops. From the safety of his apartment in Bushwick, he shot New Yorkers dancing, exercising, playing instruments, working and even flying kites on the roofs of Brooklyn.
The photo series, titled Quarantine Rooftop Culture, made it to the cover New York Magazine @nymag in March. He even found a Quarantined QT in the process. When a rooftop girl across the street caught his eye, he had to figure out some innovative ways to get to know her while still following the rules of social distancing. Their creative courtship went viral and is documented in Jeremy’s Q-Cutie Instagram highlight.
Jeremy’s creativity and heart-warming stories brought some joy to the world this year, and we couldn’t be happier he’s ditching the regular office chair to use his Venn Earth chair for active sitting and more movement during desk work. Read on to learn more about Jeremy’s life and approach to movement.
Tell us about your background and work. What are your inspirations and passions?
I'm originally from Pennsylvania, but have lived in NYC for the last 10 years (just celebrated my 10 year anniversary in August!)
I graduated from SVA in Manhattan in 2014, and have been living in NYC since and plan on staying here a long time. I'm a portrait photographer and filmmaker that’s inspired by a myriad of things: films, poetry, ping pong, chess, other photography, and just inspired by surrounding myself with creative friends in general.
We're all about movement at Venn. What does a typical day for you look like through the lens of movement?
When I think of the word Movement, I think of being always on the move. Obviously with COVID-19, I haven’t been as much on the move like I normally am, but I still get my bike rides, jogs, and shooting hoops in.
Why and how do you use a Venn Air Chair and what are your favorite positions/moves? Where in your home, office or workout routine do you use it?
I'm new to the Venn Air Chair, but so far, I like it because it forces me to keep better posture and I think it looks really cool.
In your Quarantine Rooftop Culture series, you brilliantly captured NYC residents adapting to life during the pandemic. In your observations, did you find that people were using their rooftop spaces to move around and exercise? How have you personally been making sure you keep moving and stay active during this time?
During this time, I was in my apartment the whole time. The best way to stay active was literally shooting this series, walking from window to window seeing any action that was happening outside and picking up and putting down my camera. With the 100-400mm lens that I used for this series, its honestly a pretty good arm workout as well.
At Venn, we zig when others zag. What's something in work or life that you approach differently - philosophically, physically, emotionally- than others?
That’s a great question. I think I'm pretty good on having an optimistic outlook on life, I truly enjoy waking up everyday and living life. I think I do this by getting sunshine and drinking lots of water, making art, and being kind to others. Also, surrounding myself with people that make me feel good about myself. Also not staying too comfortable, challenging myself outside my comfort zone whether its in my personal or professional life. We're only on this earth for so long as we know, we gotta make the best of it!
