We’ve already seen the first SmugMug sponsorship in Contest Corner Challenge #37: Headlines, but there’s a lot more where that came from. PhotographyCorner would like to officially announce SmugMug as a long-term sponsor of the Corner.

Not only is SmugMug going to sponsor Contest Corner Challenge #37, #39, & #41 and the October, November & December Photograph of the Month contests (as well as some cool banners and stuff around the site), but we’re also going to start a unique feature here on the Corner Blog called… yup, you guessed it: SmugMug Corner. We’re going to feature a SmugMug photographer every week on Fridays, exploring their photography, share some tips and tricks, and even explore the SmugMug universe a little. How cool is that??!

Now, it’s one thing to have a sponsor who can give out cool prizes for contest and help support and grow the Corner by buying advertising space, but it’s another to have one that gels so well with the direction and philosophy of the Corner. When SmugMug approached me regarding advertising on the Corner, I knew we had a good opportunity in the making. There were already numerous members of the Corner that used and loved SmugMug, so that was a good indication that SmugMug was a quality company. Over the past couple of weeks, as we worked out a good partnership, I’ve had the privilege or learning and exploring the SmugMug services as well as the company and culture.

Size-wise, SmugMug is a lot bigger than the Corner (23 employees and 315,000 members versus little ol’ me and 10,000+ members), but passion and love for photography and the Internet is the same. Just read their About Us page. We love photography. They love photography. We help photographers. They help photographers. They love their work, and so do we. There’s nothing I love more than to see Corner photographers succeed, and after hanging with the SmugMug crew (and by “hanging” I mean emailing… I haven’t had the chance to head down to their head office in Mountain View, California… yet) for a couple of weeks, I know we share the same vibe.

That’s what makes this partnership so exciting. It’s really easy for me to promote a product and company that I believe in. Ask any of the current members that use SmugMug what they think. If you don’t win a SmugMug account in one of the contests they’re sponsoring, you’ll at least have to check them out. Hey, they’ve got a free, no strings attached trial, too… can’t go wrong there.

Oh, wow. I just assumed… er… oops! Well, the easiest way to learn about what SmugMug is and does is to check out their website: www.smugmug.com. But to sum them up, this is SmugMug: “SmugMug is devoted to priceless photos. A father and son team founded the company in 2002. Since then SmugMug has continued to stay a private family owned business, profitable and debt free. Every subscription comes with unlimited storage with no ads surrounding any photo. “White-glove” is the best way to describe SmugMug’s customer service. SmugMug believes in taking care of our customers. Real people, real photographers are always available to assist customer’s every need 365/24/7. SmugMug provides all the necessary tools and functionality for privacy and security of each priceless photo. For added security each photo is saved multiple times in multiple data centers around the country, making it truly the “Fort Knox” for photos.” Over the next couple of months, through our SmugMug Corner interviews, we’ll learn more about all the unique features of a SmugMug account, as well useful tips as how you can use them to further your photography.

Looks like the beginning of a long and beautiful relationship… So join me in welcoming the SmugMug crew to PhotographyCorner!