Photographer Feature: Jeremy Russell for Corey McNabb Photography

Jeremy Russell of Corey McNabb Photography not only captures all the moments in a wedding day, he captures all of them beautifully while being incredible to work with.   We had a chance to interview Jeremy to learn more about him and his work ~ check out what he had to say!  Thanks Jeremy!

How do you describe your style?  The typical title is "wedding photojournalist" and essentially my goal is to capture all the fun and emotion of The Big Day without getting in your way...ever.

How long have you been a photographer?  12 years.  

How did you get started?  I started more years ago than I'd like to admit, as a high school yearbook photographer.  Which led me to a B.S. in Photographic Imaging with some weddings on the side.  Which led me to working as a retoucher at a high end photo agency in LA for four years and some more weddings on the side.  Which led to getting burned out on city life, moving to Asheville in 2006, and deciding to shoot weddings full time.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?  Honestly, my clients and their feedback.  I know it sounds cheesy but it's true!

If you could give couples one piece of advise on picking a photographer, what would it be?  Pick a photographer whose photographic style and personality fit what you are looking for as a starting point.  How many 8x10's and picture coffee mugs you get will probably not be the more important factor in the long run.

If you could photography anywhere in the world, where would it be?  The Galapagos Islands.  Again.  Although I don't recall what their wedding venues were like....

Feature vendor this week is Michael Juiliano of Michael Juiliano Photography.  We have worked with Michael a lot in the past, and he is just wonderful ~ read below to hear from Michael, the ninja!

How do you describe your style?  I always have a problem with this question.  Can we just call it ninja style?  I enjoy pulling from different things.  Art, music, books, video, people, conversation, places, things.  Everything inspires me.  I think we have to be flexible in this day and age.  We aren't just journalists, we aren't just fine art photographers, we aren't just portrait photographers.  We need to do it all and everything in between.  Be flexible.  Go with the flow. Like a ninja.

How long have you been a photographer?  I think I've always had the photographic eye.  I found myself always saying "that would be a great picture."  As soon as I was big enough to hold it I started to "borrow" my dad's SLR camera or " big camera" as I used to call it.  I started taking pictures on family vacation and my mom used to compare them to the postcards and tell me mine were better.  Don't worry it never went to my head, but I love the story.  It's been a hobby all my life pretty much.  I kept my dad's camera and unfortunately traded it up for a better camera when I got more serious about photography.  I've been shooting professionally since 2004 [I think?] I hope my dad forgive me for that.  I don't know if I ever told him where his camera went.  I'll shoot his next wedding free, that'll make him happy.  [no rush dad].

How did you get started?  Professionally?  My good friend John saw some of my photographs on the computer at work.  I had them as my screen saver.  They were mostly urban shots of textures and old building and garbage cans and such.  He asked me if I shot weddings.  I said no.  He asked me if I'd teach him some stuff so I did.  He eventually talked me into doing his wedding.  I did it as a gift as long as I could do what I want.  Part of what turned me off about wedding photography at first was the fact that I thought you had to do a certain thing or your photos had to have a certain look.  A look I was not interested in .  Boy was I wrong.  I had a blast.  I've been doing it ever since.  My first paid wedding was a referral from his wedding.  The rest is history.  I love it.  I have fun and insist my client-friends do as well.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?  Freedom.

If you could give couples one piece of advise on picking a photographer, what would it be?  Know what you are looking for.

If you could photograph anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Italy.  I'm hoping that happens in 2009.  I'm working on it.

Photographer Feature: Realities Photography/Jill Schwarzkopf

We recently interviewed Jill from Realities Photography about her inspirations and love of what she does - check out her pics and information below!  Thanks Jill!

How do you describe your style?  Completely non-obtrusive, capturing moments as they happen.  I develop close relationships with my clients, which helps everyone feel at ease on the wedding day.

How long have you been a photographer?  Five years.

How did you get started?  I started taking photos of children.  It only took photographing one wedding for me to be totally hooked!

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?  Providing my clients with images that are not just a representation of their wedding day, but so much more.

If you could give couples one piece of advise on picking a photographer, what would it be?  Photography is not a place to cut corners.

If you could photograph anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Italy.

Photographer Feature: Aaron Imaging

We recently chatted with Aaron Hogsed, owner of Aaron Imaging, about his style, and why he loves what he does.  See what he has to say!

How do you describe your style?  I would say my style is fine art garfunkel.

How long have you been a photographer?  9 years part time, 5 years full time

How did you get started?  I got started with an interest in wildlife and landscape, but found out that people are more wild and unpredictable than animals so I just love people photography.  I did quite a bit of luxury real estate work for a while, all over the south, but now I am concentrating on weddings and portraits with a little model portfolio work thrown in.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?  The constant and never ending pursuit of being different, better, and fresh each time I shoot.

If you could give couples one piece of advise on picking a photographer, what would it be?  Do it alphabetically.

If you could photograph anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Morocco looks cool.

Welcome StudioWed Atlanta!

The StudioWed team would like to warmly welcome Atlanta!  Our Atlanta studio, operated by Michelle Gainey of Lemiga Events, is scheduled to open in Spring 2009.  We are thrilled to have our 2nd StudioWed coming on board!  Welcome Michelle and Atlanta wedding vendors!

...It's Been Awhile!

It has been way too long since we have posted on our blog!  Wedding season hit in full gear, and we were all just slammed.  It is our mission to keep this updated regularly with new events that Studio Wed is hosting, vendor features, and real weddings....stay tuned!

Anguilla!

Jill Schwarzkopf of Realities Photography recently shot this wedding of Keri and Jim on the Island of Anguilla.  The wedding was on June 14 ~ and looks amazing!  Check out some of the pics!

Studio Flora Diva!

Recently Studio Flora Diva provided flowers and decor for a wedding and reception on Bald Head Island, NC.  The ceremony and tented reception were held at the base of the lighthouse, which provided a dramatic backdrop for the event.  All the flowers, decor items and supplies has to be loaded on to rolling trucks, and then loaded on a ferry for transport to the island.  As no cars are permitted on the island, everything [including completed centerpieces] had to be delivered to the site via golf cart!  What a challenging and fun experience!  The bride and groom were pleased beyond expectation, and we received rave reviews!

Realities Photography

Check out these pictures from one of the recent weddings of Realities Photography.  This wedding was on May 3 in Cashiers, NC at the Trillium Country Club ~ congrats to the happy couple, Ginna and Charlie!

All images, Realities Photography/Jill Schwarzkopf

swanky soiree

well the grand opening night finally arrived...and what a party we had!  we had about 130 people join us for our soiree, and we hope that you all had a fabulous time!  we know we did. the studio overflowed to outside [thank goodness the rain held off!], all filled with asheville's wedding industry, our family, and friends who have supported us along the way.  this was no small feat opening StudioWed ~ and has only happened because of a passion to make wedding planning fun again, and the support of the fabulous vendors who are among the exclusive collection.  we will blog about each of these vendors separately ~ otherwise i could go on all night!

it was an incredible party if we must say so ourselves ~ complete with signature drinks, great linens, way to good appletinis and wine, and of course favors!  but come on ~ we are in the event business...it's got to be swanky!  by the end of the night, we had ClubWed ~ we were hopping to the sounds of blazin' sounds entertainment and mr c's mobile dj.  we had people asking if we could do it every friday night! you get all us party people together, and we like to shake our groove thing!  what fun we had...

i have to give credit where credit is due. without some help from our friends, where would we be?  we had great food from local caterers, colorful palate, 28806, and artisan catering. and the almond pound cake [melissa knows that's my favorite!] with raspberry filling from cakes by jane - yum!  and the flowers were courtesy of blossoms at biltmore park ~ who always take what is in my head, and puts it so beautifully in floral design.  the tables and all the rentals from classic event rental and the wine from the wine guy.  thanks to you all!

our debut...

so i had no clue we would make the newspaper before our doors are even officially open! thanks so much to the asheville citizen times for publishing an article on the expansion of our business.  some of you might know us from verge events, www.vergeevents.net and www.vergeevents.blogspot.com ~ and we have expanded!  we have taken our love for helping couples plan a wedding, and raised the bar in the industry, and making the planning process easier, more streamlined, and most of all...fun!  much more to come on details soon...stay tuned!