Corey Nickols Photography

Destination Truthiness!

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:06:00 +0000

The latest issue of Valley Response, I got to cover Rex who is a medic for the show Destination Truth on the SyFy network. Probably some of my favorite stuff I have done yet for the magazine. I want to start doing more satirical shoots for Valley Response Magazine. People like Annie Lebovitz and Mark Seliger kill it when it comes to satire in photography. One day at a time....

Young & Reckless

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Last month in November, I shot a Nation wide ad campaign for Young & Reckless clothing line. The line is ran by Drama from MTV's Fantasy Factory. The models consisted of Nicole Gale Anderson, Hey Monday's lead singer Cassadee Pope and Drama. It was all shot in downtown LA. Images should be up in all Zumiez and Pac Sun stores come Spring time. Pretty stoked....

They also made a movie on the shoot. Check it out:

I am trying to update every Monday. Failed yesterday due to me being dead to the world from running the Sacramento Marathon on Sunday. Cheers!

Badfeet from war stories

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:53:00 +0000

On the 27th, the day after Thanksgiving, Badfeet played a house show at my friend Chad Cheverier's place. His house is this really cool funky place that feels stuck in the 70's. I decided to edit it and go for more of a film look that would bring it all together. Quite pleased with how they came out. Enjoy...

My family is awesome.....

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:14:00 +0000

At the end of August, my dad and two elder brothers took part in an Ironman. It is where you swim 2.5 miles, bike 110 miles and then run 26.2 miles.....in a row. All of this took place in Louisville, KY. It was one of my favorite family trips I have taken with my family in a long time. Were already looking into doing an Ironman again next summer in Sonoma County up north in California. Only difference.....I am joining them in their insanity!

Call and Valley Response

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:52:00 +0000

Last month, I did some more stuff for Valley Response. I was actually most thrilled with the way this issue came out. Had some good stuff come from it. Hope you enjoy :)

My first cover...

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:14:00 +0000

I recently did a shoot for OC Weekly. I ended up getting the cover shot for it. Pretty stoked! One of my goals was to get a cover shot with in 1 1/2 years of getting out of college....and to meet that goal in 1 year feels really good! I am excited to see where the next year takes me.....

Corey Says (re)LAX

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:44:00 +0000

About 2 months ago, Chad Cheverier and I went to LAX airport to take pictures of planes. I had so much fun that day! It is so fun to shoot something with no expectation on how the images come out but rather on just enjoying the time being spent with a friend. Chad....what is next? John Wayne or Bob Hope?????

Human(e) Testing

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:58:00 +0000

Wow, I have not made a valid update in such a long time! My bad! I have been pretty busy. A friend from Church shoots video for weddings. What makes it so unique is that he uses movie film and caters more so to the top of the market. His name is Paul Korver and he shoots weddings and events in either 8mm, 16mm, or 35mm. Recently, he has been teaching me how to use a Da Vinci color correcting machine which corrects the film while being scanned in through the Telecine. It is super rad. Makes me realize that all weddings should be shot on film. If nothing else, at least 8mm because of how awesome it looks. I am learning how to color correct so that I have a better understanding on how I will do my job as director of photography for a documentary that we are going to start filming probably sometime before the end of the year. The whole process has me so excited for what is to come!

Two weeks ago, Adam Rindy, Brion Hopkins and I all met up in Adam's loft and tested some light. We just wanted to have a good time messing around with gels, fog and what ever else we felt like. I see more so now how important it is to have fun days in photography. You need it or else you become so stuck in routine and forget to explore the world of photography and lighting. The pictures you see are some of the pictures from the day. It was a great day of shooting and just having fun.

Let me tell you about the birds and the...birds...

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:36:00 +0000

So remember how I did Joe and Laura Ruggeri's wedding back in May in NY? Well it turns out that they were submitting the images from the wedding to magazines and a nature magazine picked it up and featured a web exclusive of their wedding on the site. Thanks Joe and Laura for submitting for me :)

http://www.audubonmagazine.org/webexclusives/wedding-webexclusives.html

Ugly Pretty Things

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:12:00 +0000

I recently have been taking photos of colors and textures where ever I go. Been wanting to mess around with mixing blending modes with these finds. Then I get in these really weird artsy feeling modes where I take pictures of things that don't matter in quick notions where I don't have a chance to think about framing or anything...I just shoot the moment. Moments = die die die my darling mind :)

Video Blog for turtles and dogs

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:37:00 +0000

I recently starting doing video blogs on things in the photographic realm. I am getting more and more energetic with every movie I make which is kind of scary....but more so ridiculous. Hope there is something to be learned. Cheers!

White Lightning

Canon Prime Lenses

Canon 5D Mark II Comparison

Creativity

Pinecrest

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:39:00 +0000

Just got back from Pinecrest. I am sure everyone has one place in this world, when ever they go there, they feel so safe. So at peace. So inspired and moved to become the person you always wanted to be. Pinecrest is that place for me. I have been going there every summer since I was born. I look forward to it every year. I am very blessed to have such wonderful family :)

Sunless Studio Sells Sea Shells By The Sea Shore

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:39:00 +0000

I did this shoot for Sunless Studio back in late May. Sunless Studio is an up and coming sunless tanning salon in Beverly Hills. They came to me and wanted an AD that was different than anything out there for Sunless tanning. They wanted it to be like my style but very memorable. Their slogan that goes along with the image is "Practice Safe Sun." I came up with a concept for the shoot that could be recreated in other shoots for other ADs. I am extremely proud of this image and would consider it top 3 favorite images I have ever done. Everyone at Sunless Studios loved it as well. They were extremely fun to work with and I can't wait for the next shoot!

A-Salted Sea

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Few weekends ago, Jesse Carmody and I went on an awesome trip to the Salton Sea. It was such a fun trip. We camped by the sea, played Weezer while roasting marshmallows and were amazed to be the only people in the entire camp site. It was almost straight out of a horror film. hahaha. We took this trip to break the norm of what we have been feeling. With this in mind, there were no digital cameras, no strobes....just film 35. Shooting film again made me think of how it used to be. How much simpler life is with out technology. I am so thankful that we could take on this adventure. It is so far one of my favorite moments of 2009.

The images below are horriable scans (seeing that I am not going to school anymore, I do not have access to a film scaner) but they are the raw images of what was shot. I used Provia 400 cross processed. I also set my ISO to 250 and from there over exposed 2/3rds of a stop. In processing, I pulled it 2/3rds of a stop. I just wanted to see what I would get. Such a different cross process look....for sure.....

Double Dutch

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:22:00 +0000

I did a shoot with Marcus a little while ago in Downtown LA. Wanted to try a slightly different look in post. We will see........

It was a great shoot. Marcus is a awesome guy and Kaycee Krieg was a wonderful stylist. Cheers!

Maple Maple my stomach of staples!

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Almost 2 years ago now, I took a trip to see how far north I could make it along the West Coast. I slept out of my car every night and brought just the bare essentials (hahahah....and maybe my acoustic bass). I wanted the trip to be different so I brought 3 rolls of 400 Provia film and cross processed the whole thing when finished. Made it all the way to Vancouver, B.C. It was the best trip of my entire life. Being by myself made the trip just that much better. I just remember being in my car and all the times I would be laughing and just simply enjoying life. I didn't need another person in the car to make the trip special. The trip was special enough....beautiful enough to laugh the entire way. Here are some of the pictures from the trip. Maybe one day I will finish scaning in all the images.....

Valley Response Magazine = bunnies and warm feelings

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:33:00 +0000

I loved the photo credits because everyone looks all professional and I look...well....you can't be that surprised if you know me. hahahaha

So two months ago I did some photoshoots for a magazine called Valley Response Magazine which is ran out of Visalia, CA. Their staff is full of awesome warm hearted people. They have a lot of respect for those who shoot for the magazine and are always making sure you know how much they appreciate the work you do. I recently shot for the next magazine last week. Here is some of the work I did for the latest issue. Can't wait to do more work with them in the future. This job also provides me with a chance to see my family while working as well. Something I am very greatful for.

Joe and Laura....and maybe a blue footed boobie....

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:03:00 +0000

I got to have the pleasure of making my good friend's Joe and Laura Ruggeri the first wedding I have ever photographed. They flew me out to NYC while the wedding was held in New Rochelle (I love that town!). This is just a few of the images from the day. Thank you so much for taking care of me while there. And for all the people I met, especially those who took part with me in dancing until 2am to a car that was bumping tunes in the reception tent.....I had an awesome time!

I spent about 1 week in NYC after the wedding meeting up with at least one person every day. Met up with ESPN the magazine, Deutsch, DDBO, Oglivy & Mathers, DDB, Paper magazine, The Bonnier Corporation, and Devito / Verdi. Meetings were awesome. Have some really amazing opertunities in the works right now. I am going to wait and if it all starts to work out then I will talk more about it. Super exciting though.

After the business side of NYC, I got to have a little fun. Went to see The Colbert Report (my hero), saw my sister-in-laws opening night off broadway show "Everyday Rapture", went museum hopping with John Avelluto from Joe and Laura's wedding, went to Freemans which is quite possibly the best restraunt in Manhattan, got magnolias cupcakes (ahhh!!! so good!), and I got to say hi to everyone at Mark Seliger's studio. It was kind of sad to see that most of the people I knew while there are now gone due to the economy. But it was still a good visit.

I have a lot of things going on in my work life but I will talk about that more as I find out more. In the mean time, yeee hawwwwwww!!!!!

That guy gets his salsa from New York City! NEW YORK CITY?!

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:30:00 +0000

I am still in Manhattan....here til Friday morning. Things are going pretty good. I am learning a lot about myself as well as a lot about people in the industry. Don't have much time to talk. I am meeting up with my friend Carlo who works at BBDO Worldwide today so i gotta go soon. But when I get back into Los Angeles, I will write more about my whole experience. Lots of good stuff. I am so excited about May. So much work!!!! It will be awesome! I also have more news about the documentary I am involved with. Skippy!

Furd Turgesen

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:09:00 +0000

I did a photo shoot last Sunday in San Clemente with my friend Julia Boone's grandparents. It has been a while since I did something to help out my portfolio. I realized that I have forgotten that improving my portfolio is just as important as looking for jobs. It shows that I am an active photographer to those I have met before and continue to show interest in working for. So that's what I am going for right now. I want to do more old people shoots and even more model shoots. All in all, I just want to photograph what ever I can. I am excited to be a photographer....let alone a working photographer. I am leaving for NYC this Thursday to shoot a friend's wedding and meet up with more ad agencies. Life can be really fun if you allow it to be :)

Raw Raw!

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:12:00 +0000

So I randomly took this the other day through my window looking into my neighbor's window. After realizing how creepy this must seem to anyone who could see me, i stopped and pretended like my camera was working just fine. Really different for me but my mind has been wanting to get more into just random stuff like this.....

Pow Pow Pow!!!

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:04:00 +0000

Working on some head shots I did recently for Broadway actress Betsy Wolfe while she was in LA visiting family. I am very pleased with the outcome of the shoot. Above is one of the shots taken during the day. I also love the fact that this was shot outside in the middle of the day at 1:30pm. on a white wall. Like I have said before....if you know how to control light, you do not need a studio. Betsy later showed me a Japanese restaurant in South Pasadena that uses the EXACT SAME yogurt machines as Pinkberry. Only difference was their large (which was huge!) was only $4.50. I love Japan!

Nards!

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:57:00 +0000

So I realize it has been about a month since I last updated this puppy. Here is what I have been up to:

I did the photo shoot for Valley Response Magazine which went really well. I was challenged fully for every shot (between lighting for indoors, photographing my first African American with my style and shooting a little boy who would not dare look at the camera) but was totally ready for the challenge. For those of you who are frowning on the African American part, any photographer will agree it is hard because the skin absorbs all the light. It is hard to get a reflection out of it so you have to pump more light with out making the skin look Ash-like. I was really happy with the over all results. They liked my work so much they they told me they want me to photograph every issue from here on out and to show they mean business, increased pay. Its always such a great feeling when people respect your work and show you that you are valued. The people who run that magazine are amazing people who are really good honest people working in the industry. I wish more magazines were like them in the way they treat their employees to be honest.

I also started to get into doing head shots for people who are in the councilor business (mental, emotional, etc.). I have actually had great personal satisfaction come from this area. I mean, its nice to be paid but what I love most about it is seeing how happy these people are when I give them their images. My biggest drive is making people happy with the work I provide them. If they are stoked on the work, I am floating from happiness. My last job I did was with a woman named Lisa Steadmen who has her 3rd book coming out called "Its a breakup, not a breakdown." After all the work was done, she said, "As a personal coach, I am just letting you know that you charge too little on the photoshoping side of your business. You need to double it. It takes you this long to perfect the images you do, you need to up the price." Then we started to talk about the whole "cop-out" of the economy. Everyone loves to take advantage of the shape the economy is in. Now don't get me wrong, deals can be cut and that is all full and well. But I know I am always willing to sell myself short on the value of what work I provide. That's why I have always said you have to believe in your work first in order to have an effective business. I need to stop talking and start doing huh? hahaha.

I also have some other things coming up which might lead to more work. I met with some people today about doing some Ads for their spray on tan company. They have some good business direction and I can not wait to get the whole thing going. I think we are going to have a solid final product. Curious to see where it goes.

I have been thinking a lot lately as to what I want to do to expand my photography to new heights. I want to start experimenting with HDR in my work. I just want to play. See what I can get. All is know is that Photoshop's HDR system is not that great and I need to get something better. I also want to start photographing more old people and add to my series. I think next week I am going to start volunteering at retirement homes again.

During the past 3 months, I learned a valuable marketing lesson. What ever you do, what ever happens, you must stay focused on your marketing plan. You have to. I lost sight of it for 3 months and paid deeply for it. All I wanted to do was work. Work for anyone doing anything. I got so caught up in trying to make any money at all that I wasn't able to do...anything. I was spreading myself so thin that I had nothing of substance to give to anyone. Its scary at times to go with full force into just one thing. Fear of commitment, fear that it wont work out, fear of the future. I learned that I HAVE TO stay consistent with marketing. Always put out those promos once a month to the 80 people on my list....even if it doesn't feel like it's working. Continue to put myself out there. Continue to meet new people. Go to art gallery openings. Just put yourself out there. Please don't make the same mistake I made. I lost about 3 months. I just thank God it was not more time than that.

And finally, I have been listening to the Reality LA podcast a lot lately. Anyone who knows me knows that I openly talk about my relationship with God. But all I can do right now is thank God for everything that has been coming my way. I really can not explain how blessed I am. Not to mention the change in my attitude. I know I used to complain at things more than not (Ref. my rant on new logos a few months ago....). Anymore though, I don't want to talk about anything negative. Especially with the state of the nation right now. I remember reading about people who survive these brutal events like being lost at sea on a life raft and they always say that those who have a positive mind set almost always make it through. I know many are putting their hope in Obama. Hope in the economy. Hope in all these things. The only problem with putting our hope in people is that...well...they are people. We are bound to be let down when we trust people. I am in no way saying that I do not support Obama. All I am saying is that when we put all of our trust in people (i.e. girlfriend, friend, family, job, etc.) we will never be fully satisfied or happy. I have been happy lately because I have been putting my trust in Jesus. It isn't like Jesus is this genie or tax payer where "I did all this work for you God. I held up my side of the bargain. Where is my stuff?! Where is the speed bumps in front of my house. Where are my paved roads!? We had a deal!" It's not like that. It is the comfort to know that no matter what comes, there will be the comfort of Jesus....the knowing and fully understanding. I hope who ever is reading this would be interested in checking out the podcast of Reality LA. It is really good.

Above are some images that I took while home a month ago. I love March in Visalia. Its so beautiful....

To Ralph....

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:52:00 +0000

I first met Ralph when I was about 7. He and his wife Ruby had just moved in next to my parents. Right off the bat, they introduced themselves and instantly we all became friends. They were the nicest couple. I would go to there house when I was in 3rd grade spend hours over there telling them about my days at school. My parents would have to call letting Ralph and Ruby know that I had spent way too much time over at there house and that it was time for me to come home. I can still remember sitting in that recliner, my feet not even able to touch the ground. Just rocking back and forward talking about anything and everything my big mouth could. They would let me borrow videos such as his Looney Toon Collection with special Fog Horn Leghorn episodes. Even special videos that had the world's best roller coaster rides with 3D glasses that you wore while the video gave you a virtual ride on the coaster. I even remember little things like my first time having A1 steak sauce over at their house (from then on out, I ALWAYS had to have A1 on any steak). I remember spending hours on end in their hot tub. When I was at that age of wanting to work but being too young and inexperienced, I remember Ralph letting me do yard work. I wanted to make enough money to buy a new golf club. Looking back, I just laugh thinking about how they already had a yard cleaning crew that came once a week. I think he just wanted to let me know that I was needed and most importantly, that he along with Ruby just wanted to care and support me. Ralph was a funny man. Right before they moved in, him and Ruby won the lottery, instantly making them millionaires. This was a sign that it was time to retire seeing that they were of age anyways. Upon their new fortune, Ralph wanted to get a new car. Of course, his idea of big spending was going out and buying a used car which he drove for the next 8 years of his life. I am sure this gives you a grand idea as to the type of person Ralph was. Ralph and Ruby were simple people. Despite winning the lottery, they found no real reason to change the way they were living. They never spoiled their children or grand children with the money. They pretended as if they had never won the lottery. Ralph was one of the first people I went to when I told him I wanted to become a photographer. He then told me all about how he was a photographer. Maybe I would have found this out sooner had I not always talked so much upon visiting. Ralph went on to say how he was the first photographer in the Central Valley to use color film for portraits. He also told me about how he went to Brooks Institute of Photography when it first opened. And it was there that he did a photo shoot with Norma Jene (Marilyn Monroe). He was offered stock in Polaroid and turned it down because he thought it would never be successful. Maybe he saw a little too far into the future and saw that it would eventually fail. What is funny about Ralph is the moment I told him I wanted to become a photographer, he went home, looked through all his photo stuff and then came next door to give me....everything. Photo magazines from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's in mint condition. Books upon books of these amazing photographers such as Karsh and Leibovitz. He then gave me a Mamiya RB67 with a 180mm lens, 90mm lens and 24mm lens. Also threw in the extra film back and Polaroid back. He also gave me a tripod to go with it. That camera is awesome. It is a tank. I remember thinking it was probably the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me. I mean, he not only took interest and supported what I wanted to do but gave me all of his remaining equipment to help me achieve those dreams. When I went to school, every time I came back, he always wanted to see my work. To see what I had produced. Ralph always expressed how proud he was of me. And even when I forgot to stop by, he would always catch me as I pulled into my drive way to say hi and if I had a chance, I should stop by his place and show him what I have been up to. He never stopped his love for photography and bringing his good spirits with him where ever he went. Ralph would always take pictures of Ruby when she was asleep, print off the pictures and then give it to her when she woke up. That's just the way Ralph is. Ruby then would seek revenge by taking pictures of him in his sleep. Today was no different, Ralph went to go take a nap and Ruby snuck in a picture while he was asleep. Except today, Ralph never woke up from his sleep. My parents called me today to tell me that Ralph passed away around 4pm today in his sleep. I am devastated. Ralph was always so encouraging, so loving, such a great guy. He was so friendly, always wanting to talk, even if just in passing. Money was nothing to him. All he really wanted was relationships with the people around him. Ralph played such a huge part on me becoming who I am today. He will be missed dearly. Thank you Ralph for everything. Words can not express my gratitude for everything you did for me. You fueled my passion for photography and showed to the fullest what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. You were such a kind hearted loving person. Rest in peace my friend....

Dear Deer

Corey@Coreynickols.com (Corey Nickols) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:52:00 +0000

So this video is awesome. I love it when people keep videos simple and yet still make it epic. This video is proof that ideas are far more powerful than money. It isn't about owning the latest and greatest gear. The gear is not what defines you as an artist, its the idea that drives the piece. Joseph Stalin said it best when he said, "Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas." Just something to think about. Now watch this music video. It is so good!