The most popular posts on the Corner Blog are consistently the "SmugMug Corner" photographer interviews; interesting interviews with great photographers, a bunch of fantastic photos - what's not to love? Today, however, we have a first. We've done 70 SmugMug Corner interviews over the past several years, but today we interview our first husband and wife photographer duo: Chuck & Paula Beehner from Chico, California. Check out their stories and some of their favorite photos below.

Name: Chuck & Paula Beehner
Website: cbeehner.smugmug.com

Tell us a little about yourself.

Well, Chuck is 55 and Paula is not telling... We both live in Chico, CA which is about 90 miles north of Sacramento. Paula is very handy and works as a Sign Language Interpreter. Chuck on the other hand, is currently adding to the 10% unemployment statistics. He was previously employed as Director of Program Management for a local Aerospace company, and has extensive background in purchasing and material management.

Tanks a Lot - Paula Beehner

Hydrangea Mono - Chuch Beehner

What is your background/training in photography?

Chuck - For the most part self taught, I started reading books then trying out shots. Continue to add to the library still today... I have taken several college courses in Photography.

Paula – I have taken a few classes but pretty much point & shoot.

Blue Bridge - Paula Beehner

Place to Relax - Chuck Beehner

How long has photography been a passion for you? When, where and how did it start?

Chuck – as a kid on vacation shooting one of those old 126 instamatic cameras. You can only get so much out of them... but I can still look back on those pictures and say "not bad". Got my first 35mm in '72, a used Pentex setup from a friend while I was in the Navy. Within a year I sold that and bought a Canon F-1, still have that camera, used it for a long time. I shot Kodak Kodachrome slide film (rest in peace) for almost all my color work. I took a brief sabbatical and a couple of years ago just got antsy about doing it again, with good equipment. Last year I bought my D300, it feels so good to be doing this again!

Paula – I grew up with basic cameras but never really pursued it further until recently. Now it's an obsession, in a good way.

Paula and I had a darkroom setup in our first house for several years where we developed and printed our own black and whites. I really like that now the darkroom is the same as our computer room and we can do our own processing again too.

Sidewinder - Paula Beehner

Path of Green - Chuck Beehner

What equipment is in your camera bag? What piece of equipment will be added to the collection next?

Chuck – Nikon D300 with MB-D10 battery grip, a Tamron f2.8 28-75mm macro zoom, a Tamron f2.8 70-200mm macro zoom. Still using my old Bogen tripod from the '80s (it works), did upgrade with a new Benro composite monopod and head. Next up; well I need a good flash or two, and to add to the lens group with a wide angle and longer telephoto. I think it is a never ending cycle...

Paula – Canon SX110, & doggie treats.

Leap of Faith - Paula Beehner

What are your favorite places/subjects to photograph? Why?

Chico's Bidwell Park; did you know that it is the third largest city park in the United States? Well, now you do. Paula and I walk our Rat Terrier, Scout, in various parts of the park on a regular basis. We always pack glass and sensors. It is amazing that almost every time you go you see something different; maybe it is the season, the lighting, a person, an animal. With so much park it takes a while to cover all of it and it is just down the street.

We also enjoy going into the mountains out of Chico for drives, walks and shoots.

Any traveling we do means bringing the cameras...

Cone on the Grill - Chuck Beehner

Colour Rush - Paula Beehner

Who are your biggest photographic influences? Why? What about their work influences your work?

Paula - I have to say the SmugMug community. I enjoy seeing the various ways in which they can take something and make it their own. I tend to dabble in the more unusual images by shooting & seeing what they can become. Much of my work is done in Photoshop to bring out the unusual.

Chuck – While not trying to say what everyone seems to; Ansel Adams' work and black and white just cannot be separated. I still have a signed copy of The Print... I really like black and whites! Then recently, same as Paula, the SmugMug communities.

Reflections of the Night Before - Chuck Beehner

How long have you been Smug with your photographs? What features do you most enjoy with your SmugMug account?

We've been at SmugMug since around May of 2009, introduced to it by another photographer we met while at a High School Volleyball match. He posted his pictures of the game there... Smugmug is a flexible and easy to use site, great communities.

Moon Tree - Paula Beehner

Sunset Winter Canopy - Chuck Beehner

If you had do sum up in 50 words or less the impact SmugMug has made on your photography/photography business, those 50 words would be...

Smugmug has provided a well managed site that we use to showcase and share our photos. It has provided a setting that challenges us as photographers to do better, to try new things. In addition it expands our knowledge and depth, and a place to get new ideas.

Back Burner - Paula Beehner

If you had to give one piece of advice to those wanting to pursue photography, what would you tell them?

Do it! You do not need an expensive SLR, start with a descent point and shoot and Photoshop Elements and do it! Get a good book on photography basics, read and shoot!

Peaceful Creek - Chuck Beehner

Park by Night - Paula Beehner