Max Dawson Studio is a photography & cinematography business founded by established photographers and filmmakers, David Coplan and O.B. Solinsky. They work with a select team of award-winning photographers and filmmakers to create seamless one-of-a-kind photography and cinematography collections. David and O.B. met on a wedding photo cinema shoot where they realized that they both had young sons (Max & Dawson), and that they shared a passion for both photography and cinematography.
After years of experience, they have joined forces to establish Max Dawson Studio to highlight each other’s strengths. Initially named after their two sons: David's son, Dawson and O.B.'s son, Max, they continue to find synchronicities in their personal and professional backgrounds. David's grandfather was famed photographer Maxwell Coplan and O.B.'s former business was called Cosmopolitan Photo & Film Studios. Max Coplan was once lead photographer at Cosmopolitan Magazine. O.B. began working in the business as a photographer and David began as a cinematographer, now O.B. is primarily focused on cinematography and David on photography. Additionally, their sons are a year apart, so it is easy to arrange play dates!
After a decade as a Hollywood scribe, I have been a professional photographer & cinematographer for nearly 15 years. I was taught the methods and techniques of photography at a young age by my grandfather, famed photographer, Maxwell Frederic Coplan, who photographed everyone from Bob Dylan to Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe. His photos were featured on the covers and pages of every major publication of his day. I studied Film at Emerson College and screenwriting at UCLA, but nothing compares to the lessons I learned from my grandfather.
I moved from Los Angeles back to New York in 2011 and shortly after started Dideo Films Photography. I have collaborated with countless photographers, cinematographers and editors. Working with so many creative people has helped me develop a great eye for talent. I work with a ace team of Photographers & Cinematographers who thrive in live events and weddings but also find inspiration in producing portraits and documentaries.
The team and I, all work in Fine Art, Portrait, and Photojournalistic styles. As a photographer myself, I’m constantly on the lookout for original and compelling moments that tell a story while reflecting the unique character and style of the subject
My love for art and creativity began at a young age where I was an avid comic book fan that loved drawing my own comic characters and telling stories about them. With passion for art, I attended The School of Visual Arts in New York City, where I studied commercial art, photography, and film. I graduated in the late 90’s, with honors and awards for the creative work I did.
I began my career in the early 2000’s documenting weddings and still love filming weddings 20+ years later. I started in the wedding industry as an assistant photographer to a prominent New York photographer. Later I partnered in a wedding studio, where I served as company manager, post-production specialist, album designer, photographer, cinematographer, and trained dozens of staff photographers and cinematographers in wedding storytelling. I am passionate about camera gear, cinematic techniques, lighting + sound, and dynamic editing to tell wedding stories. I love working with our wedding clients to deliver the highest quality work possible with the best customer service.