About Us | Meridian Photo

Who is Meridian Photo

At Meridian Photo, being a real professional means more than just owning a camera—it means having the knowledge, experience, and credentials to provide the highest quality photography. We are dedicated to mastering our craft and delivering professional-grade portraits that stand the test of time.

Industry Affiliations & Certifications
Our studio is proud to be affiliated with leading professional photography organizations, ensuring we uphold the highest standards in the industry:
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) – The world’s largest nonprofit photography association, dedicated to education, ethics, and excellence in photography.
Professional Photographers of Nebraska (PPofN) – Our state affiliate, where we stay connected with other professionals, continue our education, and contribute to the photography community.

Certifications & Degrees
Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) – A certification earned through rigorous testing and image evaluations, demonstrating technical excellence and mastery of photographic principles.
Master Photographer (M.Photog.) – A distinction awarded by the PPA, recognizing a photographer’s exceptional skill, dedication to education, and achievements in photographic competition.
These credentials showcase our commitment to professional development and our ability to create technically sound, artistically compelling, and emotionally engaging images for our clients.

Why It Matters
When you choose Meridian Photo, you are choosing a real professional—someone who continuously improves, invests in education, and upholds industry-leading standards to provide the best possible experience and results for every client.

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo

Rooted in the heart of Yankton, South Dakota, our photography studio is the embodiment of a community-centered business, built on the bedrock of solid work ethics and craftsmanship. My journey to professional photography was paved with a decade of dedicated service in the US Navy's submarine force. With a thirst for knowledge, I pursued higher education at the University of Guam, earning a Computer Science degree, complemented by a minor in Arts, where I honed my focus on photography.

Hi, I'm Cory Loomis, a passionate professional photographer based in Yankton, South Dakota. My journey with photography began in the 90s with a film camera, and it became a serious passion during my college years in 2009.

I find inspiration in viewing my subjects on a personal level, whether it's a person or a location. My favorite types of photography include portraiture, where I relate to people and portray them uniquely, and nature photography, which allows me to blend artificial and natural light for impactful images.

My style is clean and distraction-free, focusing on technically correct images that capture the true essence of my subjects through emotion. When working with clients, I take the time to understand what inspires them, their personalities, and how they see themselves.

I am proud to be a member of the Professional Photographers of America and to serve on the board of the Professional Photographers of Nebraska. These organizations have provided me with the tools and education to create powerful and pleasing images.

Continuing education is vital to me. I attend workshops and classes annually, and occasionally teach other professional photographers, to stay current and improve my skills.

Through my photography, I aim to help my clients see themselves in a new light, as others see them, and leave with a positive outlook on themselves.