Images by Brian Coryell

A couple of photos that I took during work, that I feel that are  "in the moment" type of photographs... "Living the dream while rolling in a studio on wheels..."

click on photo to enlarge  After graduating from Virginia Intermont College, so far one of my many goals in life is to work for a photography company.  Since then, I have been very lucky and blessed to work with the greatest bunch of photographers that I could have ever hoped for. This is my 2nd family, the "Lifetouch" family. I have learn many new things while working with these guys, as well as at the same time applying my knowledge of photography that I learned in school. "I am living the dream while rolling in a studio on wheels..." - Brian Coryell (myself)  

WOW!!! It has been awhile since I have posted anything on my blog. However, as busy as I am with Lifetouch during the week, on the weekends I still  find time to do my own photo thing. Here are some images that I create about 2 weekends ago, photographing a wedding at The Founders Inn in Virginia Beach, Va.  I had the pleasure to photograph and work along side with my photo manger from lifetouch. It was a short notice thing but none the less it was an awesome day to photograph! Please enjoy!!!  

I found an old photo that I did in the studio last year. Probably one the best girls that ever modeled for me. I won't mention her name but you know who you are. The one thing that I find to be very eye catching, is the extreme shadow that falls down the middle of her head and shoulders. While looking through the shadows you see the tribal earring hanging her ear.  Another thing interests me about this photos is her look of wonder and innocents on her face. Enjoy!

This past week I was photographing over at Kempsville Middle School in Virginia Beach. This was one of my first schools were I start to photograph on my own without a trainer. It was very exciting and I did very well. I kept up at a steady pace. At Lifetouch we all work and photograph as a team. Together as a team we photographed over 1200 students. During our hourly sessions we had either finished on time or early enough to allow us to have a 10-15min break.  Not only do I photograph students for the year book, but I also do sports coverage work and other sports event photography such as team and individual player pictures. It's an awesome job. I love being a photographer and I wouldn't want to do anything else.

After a hard day of shooting oceanfront properties and interiors of beach houses for Sandbridge Reality. I went down to Knotts Island to try out a new restaurant. Now before I tell you the name of this "awesome place," I don't care where you are from but to me, the  best place to get thee best shrimp is in North Carolina!!! Being a native from Virginia Beach, I'm not afraid to admit that the best coconut shrimp and key lime pie is in Knotts Island at place called Bay Villia Marina. The restaurant- Bay Villia is located at 112 Bayvilla in Knotts Island near the boat ramp.   Please check this place out,   GREAT SHRIMP, AWESOME KEY LIME PIE,  FRIENDLY SERVICE!!!! The most awesome girls on Knotts Island Owner on the left and Christine (Manger) on the right. Stunning View surrounding the Restaurant 

Come Check Out the VOODOO LOUNGE located on the 2nd floor of  La Dolce Vita   on   17th Street b etween Atlantic and Pacific Avenue at the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach. Friendly Service!!! Great Food!!! Amazing Drinks!!! Live DJ's throwing it down!!! DJ Joe Fu DJ Joe Fu                           

"Day 3" training with Lifetouch Portrait Studio.  So far I have been having a lot of fun training for my new and 1st full time Photography job. There setup is pretty easy and simple to understand and use. Each piece of equipment except for the light stands is all custom made for LifeTouch. Even the matt that placed underneath back drop and light stands is custom made. It is diagrammed to show you were each piece of equipment goes. The camera that we use is a modified Nikon D400 which is tether to a laptop which can be convert to a touch screen.  Pretty cool gadgets! The training sessions are all  hands-on. We spilt into groups and begin to setup our equipment. We mainly practice photographing each other and sometimes with younger elementary school children, then we have a quick a review and critique by our instructor, and after that we break everything down and start all over again.                         ...

This past Saturday I attended a photography workshop with Glen McClure up in Fredericksburg, VA. I assisted Glen all day at the Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont setting up soft boxes for portrait demonstrations, taking pictures of people interacting with Glen in class, and enjoying the beautiful scenery that Fredericksburg had to offer. It was a fun experience and at the same time I picked up few new ideas to think about when I am photographing people next time. Check out some of my photos below. Also go check out Glen McClure 's blog too to read his experience during this workshop-  http://www.glenmcclure.com/blog setting up soft boxes students interacting with Glen Glen demonstrating his precise portrait technique

Yesterday myself and my high school photo teacher Mr. Axley went to a great Photo Exhibition, courtesy of Dave Chance . I encourage everybody to come out and see Dave Chance's Exhibition.  If you live or are visiting area of Virginia Beach, VA please head down to the oceanfront on  22nd Street  at  Town Pavilion Center II.  It was a great exhibition: good photos, good food, and good people.  

Lately, I have been working very and traveling around the country working this new photo gig for Nationals Inc. This past weekend was very busy and but exciting, unfortunately, I was not able to photograph much of my adventures in Oklahoma due to certain important job duties that I need to uphold, however, I did so happen the next day come across some photos I did for one of my favorite Reggae bands " RAS ALAN and THE LIONS " and to see that they have put some of my good photos to use! See for yourself... 2 stage shot photos that were taken from Rhythm and Roots Festival, this past year:

Lately, I have been working very and traveling around the country working this new photo gig for Nationals Inc. This past weekend was very busy and but exciting, unfortunately, I was not able to photograph much of my adventures in Oklahoma due to certain important job duties that I need to uphold, however, I did so happen the next day come across some photos I did for one of my favorite Reggae bands " RAS ALAN and THE LIONS " and to see that they have put some of my good photos to use! See for yourself... 2 stage shot photos that were taken from Rhythm and Roots Festival, this past year:

Lately, I have been working very and traveling around the country working this new photo gig for Nationals Inc. This past weekend was very busy and but exciting, unfortunately, I was not able to photograph much of my adventures in Oklahoma due to certain important job duties that I need to uphold, however, I did so happen the next day come across some photos I did for one of my favorite Reggae bands " RAS ALAN and THE LIONS " and to see that they have put some of my good photos to use! See for yourself... 2 stage shot photos that were taken from Rhythm and Roots Festival, this past year:

Last weekend I went to Minneapolis, MN for the first time ever and it was pretty cool city. Personally, what made this trip even cooler for myself, was I got to use my Pocket Wizards for the first time ever during my shoot. I recently got a set of pocket wizards from my lovely and awesome girlfriend, Kristina, as a gift for our 1 year anniversary. Thanks babe!   I had a lot fun walking through downtown, I saw a lot of interesting features that Minneapolis had to offer. It reminded me of a lot like New York city with its tower sky scrappers, execpt without the B&H Store. Haha.  I never thought that working with Nationals Inc, that my 2nd travel trip would literally take me across the country to Minnesota. My next stop will be in Oklahoma, so stay tuned!!!!

Last week I received a call from a PR person that worked for Nationals Inc, a Pageant Organization. The PR person asked if I could fill in for a photographer and of course I said yes. I also asked how did she get my number, she then replied that another photographer that I have been trying to contact sent her my resume and recommended that I fill in for the photographer who was not able to make it in. It was a fun and interesting experience. They were impressed with my photography skills and my ability to adapt in any situation that i wasn't familiar with and they asked me if I was interest in working with them again on JULY 10th. And I said yes!!!  As a photographer for Nationals Inc, I would work in their photography services department and I would photograph and cover all aspect of the beauty pageant world from the girls starting interviews to the final crowning of the pageant queen. National Inc. pays for the traveling across the country whether it be driving or flying, pays ...

Today I worked with Mr.Eric shooting some relaxing summer house properties. I have worked with Eric before during my last year at VI doing on location stuff and some commercial projects. Like Glen, he has taken me under his wing, also teaching me some new techniques. Today I had blast working with him on mixing the flash (Canon 580 FLASH) on my camera with ambient light.

For the last month, I have been very privileged to assist Glen McClure while shooting his latest self project; Endangered Species: Watermen of the Chesapeake. The day before I left to go to this final shoot with him and his wife Marshall, he had asked me if I would be able to bring my camera along to document him while he worked on this project. Naturally I said yes. Glen mention to me that there could be a possibility that some of my photos could be good enough to be used in his new book, which would be based off this Watermen project. The photos below are some of the behind the scenes/ action photos that I took of Glen while he photographed his last view subjects for the Waterman project.

Yesterday,  was my first day working with well known Norfolk photographer Glen McClure. I have known Glen for almost year and so far he has been the first photographer that has taken me under his wing since I graduated from college and  has hired me as his assistant.  For my first paid gig I woke up at 6 am, got dressed and hopped into my truck, drove to his house in Norfolk, and from there drove 3 1/2 hours to "Shady Side, Maryland" to assist him with his new self project entitled An Endangered Species: Watermen of the Chesapeake Bay portrait project. While working with Glen, I was in charge of doing many things such as: loading and off loading his equipment, assembling his lighting equipment and positioning them on his subjects, and uploading his raw digital images while providing him with fresh memory cards to be formatted and ready to go! Earlier today, was my 2nd day of work. I drove to downtown Norfolk to meet him at his studio and from there I helped him setup a ...

Ras Alan and the Lions have  performed at numerous family-friendly festivals throughout the US and Jamaica, and continues to be heard on radio and internet stations worldwide. Ras Alan’s blend of traditional mountain music, original lyrics, and reggae beat is a unique combination. His songs are fun, emotional, and socially responsible. Influenced by bluegrass, old time, Southern gospel, jazz, African drumming, and a respectful portion of Rastafari spirituality, Ras Alan’s music is full of life, and the reggae rhythm is extremely danceable.   For the past couple of years, I have been photographing you and your band around the Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee area while studying photography at Virginia Intermont College. This is one the best Reggae band in the Appalachian area. Coming from Virginia Beach and living around the beach it’s hard to find good live reggae music in the mountains, listening to your vibes made me feel like I was back ho...