***IMPORTANT***

We're upgrading our server in the next couple of days, so please be patient with us as our websites will be down from time to time while we change our DNSs. This blog will still be up and running, and in fact is due for a big post in the next day or two so check back soon!

UPDATE: We've been told by our host that today (Monday, April 30th) is the day that scheduled for our server to get switched over, so expect some downtime at some point. The .com site will be down less than 24 hours.

UPDATE #2: Now they're saying sometime tomorrow (Tuesday)

The new server will allow us to have much richer and larger content on the site, and as we're in the process of building a new .com, we will not be limited in any way by our storage or bandwidth!

Thanks,

Corey

Lee Morgan

Yesterday I had the pleasure of heading to wonderful downtown Asheville, despite the bad weather, and joining my good friend Lee Morgan at a reception honoring his work at the Woolworth Walk Gallery. Lee's nature and landscape work is being featured in the gallery for the next several weeks, in addition to his regular space there. If you get the chance, please go check out his stuff at Woolworth Walk. For commisioned work or to buy one of his beautiful prints, you can call Lee at 828.252.4849. I just took a couple of basic shots of the reception for Lee, but thought I'd share here too.

Asheville PUG

Last night we had our monthly Asheville Pictage User Group meeting. We had a nice turnout despite several people not being able to make it at the last minute, including Adam from Pictage and Chris Record, but they and others sent their regrets. And thanks, Amber, for texting your support....we missed you guys.

Our PUG leader, Regina, did another fine job of putting together the meeting for us, even though she was quite ill and was losing her voice. And as I was the featured speaker this time, she also sent out this very nice bio of me: Corey McNabb is the studio spotlight this month. Corey has been named one of the top 100 photographers in the country and is a recent first place and multi-award winner at WPJA. He also recently studied with Mike Colon in Newport Beach, CA and is a member of the Grace Ormonde 5-Star Directory. We are really looking forward to his presentation and hope that you will be able to come and show your support.
Michael later added to the bio and decided my new name is Corey McBlogstar, as he can't seem to escape finding me on other people's blogs.

After the meeting, several of us went to dinner and then back to my studio for a little while...actually until 3am! Fun times.

Here are a few shots Regina took during dinner.

Tara, Jill Schwarzkopf, me, and my wife Jill


Regina and Dana


Me with Laura Tolle, a bride of mine and wife to photographer Troy Tolle, and Tara Jordan, also one of my beautiful brides and coordinator extraordinaire of Weddings with Tara.


Michael and Corey Cagle and Corey's husband, Billy.


From left to right, Laura and Troy Tolle, with Tony McCune, both with Digital Chalk, Tara, and Jill Schwarzkopf.

I returned to the studio today from my Charleston job to find Jeremy had taken measures while I was out of town to fit in with his stereotype of the North Carolina "locals". We now call him Cletus. Actually, his dog got a little crazy and jumped up and smashed his bottom jaw into his tooth...and viola! Make sure you comment here to really rub it in. And his dentist doesn't have an opening until April 16th to boot!

Man, what a nice day of shooting. I started out here in Charleston this morning at the Magnolia Gardens before sunrise and had a great time shooting some nature stuff....I'll try to post a few shots later. This afternoon, I met up with my clients and we walked all over downtown shooting their engagements until after dark. We'll meet up again in the morning for a beach shoot....they're a great, fun-lovin' couple! Here are a couple of very early favorites.

A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed briefly for the Wedding Photojournalist Association's WedPix Magazine for an article on angles. Here's the link to the complete and finished article by Meghan McEwen:

Link

And here is the original draft of the basics for the article before it was finialized and merged with the other two contributing photoraphers, Melissa Mermin and Dave Robbins.

Corey McNabb on:

Working the Angles:
Three of our accomplished members share their techniques and real-world experiences on using architecture, geography, positioning and pure creativity to get unique shots and capture memorable moments.

Using geography and architecture can help photos in a number of ways. For example, by adding elements of interest, by enhancing the subject or creating interesting backgrounds, or by offering unique and varied heights from which to shoot or position your subject. I’m always looking for a unique perspective. I try to shoot from as many vantage points and differing heights as possible during an event.

By positioning myself or my subject in a certain location, sometimes only slightly different than the norm, I can produce wonderful imagery that’s different than what the client is expecting. Finding ways to shoot down on the subject, or up towards them, can help create interesting backgrounds that both isolate the subject and enhance the quality of the image. By just moving slightly to the side, or up, or down, I can find backgrounds that not only no longer distract from the image, but compliment it in such a way that truly hold the viewer’s attention. Shooting from a different angle can also create a really nice image that otherwise might have been ruined by a distracting background.

Similarly, interesting angles and colors within a photograph can be created by finding unique geographic and architectural elements. Not only useful for positioning, balconies, stairways, rocks and the like can be beautiful additions to the photo. Finding certain angles and elements to include inside the photograph can make the difference between a normal image and a great one.

Even when architectural or geographical elements are not available, shooting from a different perspective can really bring a unique feel to an image. By shooting from my highest reach to grabbing a shot from the hip, I can produce images that are unexpected that my clients love. While shooting once in a rather mundane hotel room, I decided to lie on the floor and shoot up at the bridal party toasting….by creating this unique perspective, not only did I produce a favorite image of the client’s and mine, but also a WPJA contest-winning photo. (see attached black and white image of the toast)

Angles can also be created by not following the “straight horizon line” rule. I realized early on in my career that for some reason, even when making an effort, I have difficulty taking a shot with a level horizon, so I embraced this trait and began tilting and rotating the camera to create fun and exciting angles and lines within the image that clients love.

With the world full of people, every one of whom is walking around daily with a pair of 50mm lenses about 6 ft. off the ground (their eyes!), finding interesting angles and elements that are a departure from the norm will ensure my clients will be thrilled with their imagery.

The WPPI Experience

After an amazing week in Vegas hanging out with some really great folks, sleeping hardly at all, and surprisingly not gambling too much, I've returned home, shot a wedding and now....crashed. I'm super beat today. This post will be a little lengthy since I wasn't able to update the blog much this week and a lot has happened. Honestly, the days kinda blend together a bit....and sadly, my camera's date was off so now I really don't know when stuff happened. I'll probably have to split the whole "WPPI Experience" into several posts: some about friends, new and old; some about some cool new products I saw; and some about just the many happenings at the show...so keep checking back! So here goes....

DAY ONE: Saturday, March 24th

I arrived a day before most of the crowd I know, so I took it kinda easy that night and was back to the hotel by midnight. I did take a brief stroll on the strip and didn't remember it being as trashy and crowded.... but it has been a few years since I've been there.


Although it's still a really cool place....


DAY TWO: Sunday, March 25th

The WPPI conference was held at Bally's and Paris:



Once we (and by we, I mean a bunch of people that fluctuated from time to time, mostly the gang from the recent Mike Colon workshop) got signed in, we started making plans for the evening. I think we started out at the OSP party at Paris. Here I am with my dear friend Amber Holritz.


DAY THREE (I think): Monday, March 26th

Here's a shot of Jessica working hard selling her cool new product: the Shootsac.


In Jessica's booth also sat a cool gadget: the Simple Photo Booth....check it out: I'm on the home page! Here's a sample shot:


Also be sure to watch the fun video on Becker's blog here...I'm in it too with my friend Andy.

I heard Liana Lehman speak in the morning...good, but she needed a spotlight on her. She had a standing room only crowd.


That night after dinner we headed over to the Palms to the Kingpin Suite for a party. Here's Tiffany giving the thumbs up.


Brittany Hanson stocking up for later:


Tom Flint livin' it up:


Mike knocking down some pins:


Two of Mike's interns, Roseanna and Brittany:


Kenny Kim (Kenny, I still want a t-shirt):


Danny Wayne and Andy:


A couple more of Roseanna:




I arm-wrestled Shyla....and lost:




One of me that Brittany took (look at that form!):


And one more of Brittany:


DAY FOUR (Has it been four days?): Tuesday, March 27th

Tuesday got rollin' with a huge margarita amongst friends: Tom Flint, Blake Schwendimann, Danny, Michael Norwood, Tiffany, and dear, sweet people, Jennifer and Brandon Manuele.




Then we walked around the trade show for a little while and hung out with some folks at the Pictage booth.


Me Ra and me:


Hanging out with Dane Sanders, my friend David Burke, Kenny Kim, and a bunch of others that gathered around:


Later, we headed over to the Pictage party at Paris:


Me, David Burke, Michael Norwood (are you blinking or do you need to lay off the sauce?), Danny, and Bibiana from Pictage:


My friend Nathan:


Shoes...mine and Shannon Hodson's:


David Jay and I made an Amber sandwich:


My new friends, Jaysun and Jos:


As the night progresed, the lack of sleep, combined with a little alcohol made things a little tougher to recall. Here I am with a cool guy named Mark (anyone know his last name?..UPDATE: I found his card. He's Mark Lenoce), and two lovely ladies (are they photographers?):


Brittany again and Priscilla O'Sullivan:


We had a quiet dinner with just a few folks (was this the night?). Here are my friends Mike and Amber making eyes at each other:


Amber, DJ, and Amy:


Afterwards, we met up with some of the Pictage crowd at Studio 54 in the MGM.


Frederick Johnson and David Burke:


Looks like someone else had my camera for a while (is that Sara France peeking over Frederick's shoulder?):


Looks like we were proud of our VIP stamps:


At this point, my memory started getting worse that it usually is. The last one in this series was taken at 6:08am (was my camera set still on Eastern? maybe it was only 3:08). Please help me out a bit with some of these names and I'll fill in the blanks:

Me, Michelle Walker, and David Luebke:


Me, some great guy in a cool shirt, Sara France, and Frederick Johnson:


Sara France and another classy lady:


DAY FIVE (although they're all running together now): Wednesday, March 28th

I started out the day giving a little support and going to see my buddy Mike speak at the Lexar booth:


Me and Ray Santana (Uncle Ray):



We hung around the trade show some more in the afternoon, then headed over to the Platinum Hotel to see Mike Larson (check out his link to see a couple more pics) and Brittany Hanson do their lighting/bonce demonstration. I only had my little point-and-shoot, but I had a great time anyway:














Wednesday also happened to be the brithdays of two of my lovely lady friends: Amber Holritz and Jenn Manuele (both turned 21 or 22, I think). I had a nice little lunch with Nathan and Amber, Kevin Myers, Kevin Swan, Amy, another young lady whose name escapes me right now, but whose green eyes were absolutely amazing (wait, Janey sounds right...hope so), and a few other people. Sadly, I didn't get any shots, but Jeff Jochum led us off in Happy Birthday. Later that night, a bunch of us met up at Caesar's for Jenn's birthday. Mike Colon called me and came by for a minute, but his intern could not get in, so the respectable guy that he is, didn't leave her hanging. Mike Larson and his beautiful wife, Jenn Manuele, and Tiffany Aicklen:


Chimping, drinking, and dancing:








Jos is groovin':




A round of drinks:


Did a professional photographer take this one?


Oh, and for those of you that witnessed my thinking it would be a good idea to jump down some steps for fun: the bruise on my back looks like I was beaten with a bag a hammers after a rugby game.

LA make-up artist Brooklin Rogers lookin hot and pouty:


Jenn and Brandon get serious (it's ok, they're married):


Craig and his beautiful wife, April get serenaded:




Brooklin again:


I don't think I took this one. Anybody know her?
I didn;

I didn't take this one of Jaysun either...I think it's a self-portrait:


Andy couldn't quite make to 6am this time:


In retrospect, this group of images barley skims the surface of the trip. There were so many moments that I wish I captured. And so many new friends and faces that I wish I could have posted here!!

On DAY SEVENTY THREE (aka DAY 6), I said a few goodbyes and wished that I'd had a chance to say a few more. I took a late night flight back to NC. I met Chuck Eaton in the airport...nice guy. I managed to make it all day Friday helping my wife move out of her Antique mall space (she just doesn't time for it anymore) but moving was not something my body was ready for. And of course, I shot a nice long wedding on Saturday, but that went very, very well...awesome couple!