At SFGATE, we're profiling contributing photographers featured on our Instagram page. This week, the spotlight is on Mike Cohen.

We interviewed Mike about his Instagram page (@mjcohenphoto), which celebrates the natural and man-made beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area.

SFGATE: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What's your background?

Mike Cohen: I was born and raised in San Diego. I moved to the Bay Area for college (UC Berkeley) and had spent most my adult life since then in the Bay Area (I spent a few years in Boston and New York, but moved back to San Francisco soon after). I currently live in San Mateo with my husband and our 6-month-old daughter and 7-year-old dog.

SFGATE: How did you get into photography?

Mike Cohen: I've always enjoyed taking pictures of family and friends. I was always the historian of organizations I was involved in, or I was the friend that took pictures because nobody else brought a camera. But I became more serious about photography as I began traveling after college. I wanted to capture the mood and the feeling I'd see as I explored new places. A few years ago, I finally invested in a better camera and found other photographers to shoot with around the Bay Area. I also started to do some photography projects like interior design photography, commercial photography, weddings, and maternity/baby photography. Each genre of photography is totally different, and it's been fun to learn the different techniques needed for each of them.

SFGATE: What kind of photographs do you like to capture for your Instagram page?

Mike Cohen: For my Instagram page, I love posting pictures of my outdoor/landscape photography and travel photography. Most of my followers are from the Bay Area, so a picture of a San Francisco landmark gets way more attention than pictures of my travels! But I've traveled to over 60 countries, so I have thousands of random pictures from around the world I'll continue to share on Instagram along with my pictures of SF.

SFGATE: How would you describe your photography style?

Mike Cohen: It's really important to me to capture the mood and the feeling of the place that I'm photographing, so I like to use only natural light or pre-existing light (e.g. car lights, building lights, street lamps, etc.). I also love the effect of golden hour (just after sunrise or right before sunset) when there is a yellow/red tint that drapes the sky. Golden hour gives any setting a timeless, classic feel which I feel brings a nice element to photographs.

SFGATE: Do you have any other photography websites you would like to share with us besides your Instagram page?

My photography website is www.mjcohenphoto.com for people who are interested in learning more or getting in touch with me about capturing a special moment in their life.

Are you a Bay Area photographer who would want your work considered for a gallery on SFGATE? Tag us in your Instagram photos (@sfgate) and let us know.