photographicSoaps In Depth celebrates the work of Once beloved photographer upon a time, when New York Arthur L. Cohen City was home to AS THE WORLD memory TURNS, GUID- ING LIGHT, ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Soaps In Depth regu- larly commis- sioned photos to accompany our feature interviews and cover stories. At the top of our photog- raphers list was Arthur L. Cohen, a gentle man with a kind smile who time and time again captured picture-per- fect moments. Cohen was forced to put down his camera for good when he was diag- nosed in 2014 with Amyotrophic Later- “So sorry Arthur had to suffer through this. al Sclerosis (ALS — also known as Lou ALS is a horrendous disease,” sighs ATWT’s Gehrig’s disease). Sadly, he passed Martha Byrne (Lily), who was frequently away earlier this summer after a brief photographed by Cohen along with but incredibly brave battle. As Cohen’s She may now be THE YOUNG & THE co-stars like Jon Hensley (Holden), Annie photos will forever live on in the ar- RESTLESS’ Phyllis, but Gina Tognoni Parisse (Julia) and Michael Park (Jack). “He chives of soap-opera history, so will his spent many hours in front of Cohen’s was always a bright spirit with a smile on memory in the hearts of the In Depth lens during her days as GL’s Dinah and his face. You knew you’d have a fun-filled staff and the many actors whose lives OLTL’s Kelly. “Arthur’s photography was afternoon in front of and behind the he touched. Come along as we take a so unique,” the Emmy winner marvels. camera with Arthur behind the lens.” “He captured the true beauty and es- stroll down memory lane. (section continues) sence in every subject.” 60 OCTOBER 30, 2017 WWW.SOAPSINDEPTH.COM 61 Before he was AMC’s Griffin or DAYS OF Ellen Dolan (Margo, OUR LIVES’ Dario, Jordi ATWT) greatly ap- Vilasuso was a fresh- preciated how Cohen faced kid playing GL’s always managed to junior mobster, Tony. make her feel like a “Arthur’s life story million bucks. “Ar- teaches how precious thur knew I was not this journey is,” he comfortable with the shares. “He made his high glam expected life and those who of soap actresses… were fortunate to but look! Even in my meet him matter.” exasperation of a ‘glam’ photo shoot, he captured a beau- tiful shot,” she smiles. “He always had time to take a few shots of [my daughter] Angie, and after one day at his studio, he gave her the Big Wheels from a previous GL’s Beth Chamberlin (Beth) made Cohen her shoot. She rode that go-to photographer for personal projects, like baby hog around his her fitness DVD, as well as soap shoots. “I’m sure studio like a scene there were days that I went to Arthur’s studio, and out of The Shining! he had troubling things on his mind, because if He was truly and you’re living life, you’re going to have those days,” genuinely a wonder- she suggests. “But there was never a day that I felt ful guy. He was an even the slightest bit of that. Arthur was all about amazing spirit.” creating an atmosphere that would make you feel relaxed, happy. He was always joking, keep- ing the energy in the room positive and friendly “It was so nice to work with a photographer and nurturing. He knew that in order to get not who was a good friend as well as a great tal- only the prettiest picture or the best picture but ent,” recalls Lesli Kay (Molly, ATWT). “Arthur the picture that somehow captured a part of your was always so wonderful and respectful. He essence, he had to create that atmosphere in the was very genuine with me, so I feel that trans- room. And he always did that. He was really not lated to honest pictures. I’m sure that in all my only the consummate professional, he was look- photos taken with Arthur there was never a ing for perfection all the time. And he was just a phony moment.” wonderful, caring, compassionate person.” (section continues) 62 OCTOBER 30, 2017 WWW.SOAPSINDEPTH.COM 63 Cady McClain (Rosanna, ATWT; “My first Dixie, AMC) praises Cohen as an photo shoot, unsung hero. “Those who toil when I started in the field of daytime are often on ATWT, was unnoticed artists who give much with Arthur, to their craft, effort we all benefit and he could from,” she notes. “Arthur was one not have been of those artists, and I’m grateful for more kind, the time and attention he gave to encouraging, craft such beautiful photos.” creative and talented,” recalls Terri Conn (Katie), who went on to play OLTL’s Aubrey. “An all-around beautiful soul who will be greatly missed!” when life hands you pickles...Cohen took the lemons that life handed him with his 2014 ALS diagnosis and turned them into lemonade. Well, it was more like garlicky pickles. Besides remembering Cohen’s Armed with a pickle recipe well- talents as a photographer, loved by family and friends, Cohen Crystal Chappell (Olivia, GL) began selling his Pickals to raise remembers him as “a kind, genu- money for ALS research and pa- tient care. ine man. He always made you If you live in New Jersey, where feel happy to be in front of his Cohen resided, you can purchase camera. It takes someone very Pickals at Kings Food Markets and special to capture the true es- other select retailers. To order on- sence of a person. Arthur’s love line — or make a tax-deductible donation to the Pickals Founda- of his art and other people made tion — visit www.pickals.org. that easy for him to do.” 64 OCTOBER 30, 2017 WWW.SOAPSINDEPTH.COM 65.