"This is a man's world"

Back in May, my dad met a [Portland] photographer who offered to help and "mentor" me as much as he could on my journey to NYC and finding a photographer to intern with.

His suggestion was to go through fashion magazines and make a list of all the photographers that caught my eye. I was then to give him the list (assuming they lived/worked in NYC) and he would get in touch with his agent to see if he could arrange a interview or a job for me with said photographer(s).

I have taken his advice and have now gone through three magazines. Yes, only three. I didn't want to spend money on any new magazines when I knew we had a few at home. I went through: In Style, Vogue, and Marie Claire. I tore out easily 100 pages of photos that really inspire me. At this time, I'm really excited by editorial work but am also looking to get into some beauty work and the occasional commercial work, but mostly just to pay the bills.

All of that is besides the point.

I have now compiled a list of 11 photographers all who's work I admire, and would be honored to work with. I have not taken the time just yet to see if they are in NYC- that's next on my "to-do" list.

All of them are men.

(hence the James Brown quote)

I exclude Annie Leibovitz from this list because as much as I would die to speak to her, let alone work with her- I'm being realistic: that will never happen.

It baffles (and bothers) me that in our society today, and in such a creative field, it is still dominated by men. I feel like if I wanted to be a lawyer, or a Wall Street tycoon, this might not bother me so much (not to say that women can't do those jobs, and do them damn well).

Especially considering the amount of models, marketing, etc, are women.

More often than not, when I work with a [female] model- they compliment me on how easy it is to work with me, and how refreshing it is to shoot with a woman. How a woman doesn't use words like "that's hot" or "sexy" when describing how a shot should or does look. We use words like "beautiful", or "elegant".

*** To all of my male photographer friends: I mean no disrespect to you, I still admire you and am forever grateful that I know you.***

I am now on a mission:

Find a NYC woman photographer to intern with.

Perhaps that's setting the bar a little high for myself?

Perhaps working with a women would be worse? (because we all know how women can be sometimes ;) Regardless, I'm going to at least make an attempt to work with a woman.

And furthermore, this has sparked a fire inside me that will continue to fuel me to be a great, well-known, WOMAN photographer.

Watch out world. Abbey Corbett is about to make a difference.

Allllll Aboard!

I have booked my ticket to NYC.

I am so excited.

I will post again later with more details, but for now here's the game plan:

• Drive from Omaha > St. Louis, spend the night, pick up Emily.
• Drive from St. Louis > Columbus, OH, spend the night with Emily's boyfriend.
• Drive from Columbus > Greensboro, NC, spend the weekend with my family.
• Take the (4AM) train from Greensboro > Penn Station.

• Be a NYC resident.

It's really happening. This is real life. This is MY life.

Picture Perfect

Yesterday I had one of the greatest photo shoots I have had in a while.

I worked with a model I had found on Model Mayhem, Madeline Meints.

I won't waste your time with too much blah, blah, blah.

I'll just share my favorite shot and tell you that this photo shoot was extremely refreshing. It was such a wonderful reminder that I am making the right choices for myself right now (not that I needed a one).

Expanding Corbett's

Back in September of 2009 at the Corbett Classic, Brittney introduced us to her fiance, Gregory. He fit in perfectly with our crazy family. We were all so excited to attend their wedding!

I could not be happier for these two:

Welcome to the family Gregory!

Mr. and Mrs. Moore:

All of the family, that was able to make it to Chattanooga for the wedding:

Also in September, the Corbett's found out that the first great grandchild was soon on it's way!

If you keep up with my blog, you already know why I'm in Omaha - for this little monster. (I promise you, she is NOT a monster, I just like to call her that sometimes)

Melanie Alysse Corbett was born May 24, 2010.

Not that I have anyone to compare her to, but she is seriously the most precious child.... EVER.

I apologize that I am such a procrastinator, and that for some of you, this is the first time you're getting to see her... I'm only a couple of months late ;) As of Monday (7/26) she will be 9 weeks old!

This was her announcement that they sent out to everyone; shot and designed by myself.

Melanie, 4 weeks old:

Melanie, 8 weeks old:

This is probably one of my most favorite pictures of Melanie. It is so much fun watching her grow everyday. I love the way she's looking at her fingers as if she's just discovering them for the first time. Trust me, that's not the case. Mommy Meg is doing everything she can to get that girl to forget about her fingers- she likes to suck on them, and Meg does not want a thumb/finger sucker.

These were actually just taken as a test before her 8 week shoot, but they turned out so good!! She's the happiest little baby I've ever known.

Look at those eyes!!! Isn't she just the most beautiful little baby girl you've ever seen!?

So there you have it, at long last! I again, apologize for keeping you in such suspense. (I bet a few of you just figured I had forgotten, and wouldn't be posting...?)

I'm very thankful for the opportunity my Uncle Tim and Aunt Barb have given me to live here this summer. I am very lucky. I know my time here is coming to a close soon, and will miss everyone. I'll do my best to post one more blog of Melanie at the end of my time here.

Well wishes to all, I love you!

Friday

Ahhhhhh...

Life is coming together at such a rapid pace.

It's like that saying, "be careful what you wish for"...

But it's all wonderful things.

Such a rush!

New York is SCREAMING my name!!!

Fear not fair City! I'll be with you soon!

I could not have asked for better roommates.

I am off, high on life...

Enjoy this Friday everyone!

Seven Pounds

I wish that I could hold onto the way I felt after watching "Seven Pounds" forever. If I could, I would have a much better outlook on life.

If you’ve never seen it, I think you should. It definitely goes on my list of movies I feel everyone should watch.

This man lost his wife. He was driving and checking his email at the same time. He drove into the opposite lane and caused 7 people to die, including his brand new fiance; the love of his life.

Because of this, he fell into a deep depression which encouraged him to steal his brothers identity. His brother was a IRS employee. He would use his stolen credentials to find people in need. Give a woman a lung. Give a man new eyes. Give a woman with a rare blood type, a new heart. He also gave a woman [and her two kids] who was constantly being beaten to a pulp by her boyfriend the home he and his former fiance had lived in so they could have a better life, without abuse. He never wanted anyone to know why he was doing the things that he did. Only one man knew his plan. His best friend knew exactly what he was to do with the remains of his body after he committed suicide so everything could be donated and put to the best of use.

This is the most generous and odd form of pay it forward I have ever encountered.

I feel that a lot of people (especially women) have issues with movies/Hollywood saying that they make everything look unreasonable. There is no frog that after a kiss from a princess will turn into a prince and sweep her off her feet so they can live happily ever after. That much is true, and I believe around the age of 13, I figured this out.

There are so many times where I find myself not being able to enjoy a movie because all I can think about is how unrealistic it is.

That was not the case with this movie. I don’t think that the majority of the population is anywhere near as generous as this character was- but deep down, I’d like to believe that it really could be true. It gave me hope, and inspiration. It also made me turn around and really take a look at myself and what I’m giving back to the world, or rather, the lack there of. As I stated above, I really wish I could hold onto this feeling for the rest of my life and always try to find a way to pay it forward each day no matter how small.

I don’t know how long this feeling will last. Maybe only a couple of hours? Maybe days, weeks, months? But I hope that no matter what, I can find it in myself to see the good in each person I meet.

If you have not yet seen “Seven Pounds”, please take my advise and do (if you are anything like me, I recommend watching it alone, or with people who won’t make fun of you for crying- I cried like a little baby). Keep an open mind.

Find the good in each person you meet.

ma digs

Many of you have been inquiring about what my new home looks like. Well friends... wait no longer. I know, I know, I've been here for almost two months- but better late than never right?

In addition to my home in Omaha, my aunt and uncle also own a home on Table Rock Lake (southern Missouri), so I found it only fitting that you got to view both places, especially since I think we all (my family) can agree we'd rather be at the lake any day over Omaha.

So, without further ado, enjoy your tour!

the front of the lake house:

The living room looking into the kitchen:

Windows to the right go out to the deck that they share with the Kulceski family. Hallway to the left leads to the half bath, downstairs, and front door.
Kitchen:

door to the left of the kitchen leads to Uncle Tim & Aunt Barb's room.
The downstairs "living room":

Door on the far left leads to the laundry room. Stairs lead... well, upstairs which you've already seen. The hall to the right leads to Meg and Brandon rooms and the bathroom.
Meg's room:

I chose to only show this room since it's also where I sleep (hence the bunk bed). Not shown- Meg's walk-in closet that I am very jealous of.

Back in Omaha!!

Here's where I spent the majority of my time :)

Welcome to Polk Street:
Kitchen view #1:

Meg and Aunt Barb are probably appalled that I posted this picture. As of Monday morning, this kitchen will have a whole new look sans kokopelli's and the southwestern themed wallpaper. I have promised them that I will do a "before & after" shoot. So check back soon to see the new kitchen!
Kitchen view #2:
The bathroom Meg and I share:
My room:

Don't you just love all the southwestern themed stuff?!

For those of you who had ever been to my house in Portland yes, it's much smaller. But it fits me perfectly right now and since I'll be living in NYC soon enough- I figure I'd better get used to cramped spaces!
So there you go! The roof(s) over my head... in all their glory!

I didn't include a photo of the Omaha living room, only because when I was shooting, Meg, Melanie, Uncle Tim, and Aunt Barb were all lounging and I didn't think they'd like being in my photo- even though we all know Aunt Barb's favorite thing to do is pose for pictures ;)

I promise soon I'll post pictures of Melanie, and the Moore wedding!!! The Corbett family is ever growing!

Cheers!