FSPA Modern Dance Concert

On January 16, 2010 the Franklin School of Performing Arts had it's winter Modern Dance Concert. The Franklin School which will soon be celebrating it's 20th year, trains and educates students in a wide variety of dance. Kaylee Cahoon, the artistic director, is an amazing talent and has a level of dedication seldom seen by most schools. I have had the unbelievable opportunity to photograph the students since it's inception. Each time I see the concert and of course photograph it, I'm always at a lose for words to describe just how incredible the dancers are on stage. The school and it's dancers are a treasure to this town and the art form itself. Please enjoy the attached video and if you have more questions, feel free to contact me at http://www.martinoconnorphoto.com/ or the FSPA at http://www.franklinschoolofperformingarts.com/.

NPT - Children's Health Crisis

Had the recent pleasure of working with Brian O'Neill at NPT. He is currently doing a project on Children's Health Crisis for Nashville Public Television. I was asked to photograph children of various ages to eventually be used in several promo spots. I have a few examples here but to really see Brian's vision at work, please go to the following link. http://www.youtube.com/nptcreative.

Thanks again Brian, it's nice to work on projects like this. It gives me a special feeling of accomplishment.

Saxophone Quartet

Nashville is known as Music City to many and this is usually attributed to country music only. It's a shame that this is the case because many of us know better. Case in point is the quartet you see below. This saxophone quartet combines the abilities of four very talented players and I was fortunate enough to be called in to update their publicity photo. Musicians rarely like to sit in front of the camera and I have to admit, these guys were no exception. Maybe too many years of dressing in black and playing in sunken orchestra pits have made them afraid to be seen in bright light. Kind of like vampires if you really think about it. Anyway, they were all good sports and laughed in all the right places as we worked together. Thanks again Matt for bringing me out to work with you again

Human Contact and Manners

I just want to thank everyone who allowed me to work with them in the year 2009.  I'm especially grateful to those who booked sessions, assignments, and projects and saw them through to the very end.  In a environment where most now make appointments with absolutely no intention of showing up or cancelling the day of, it's reassuring to know there are still some individuals out there who care.  My latest case has been an appointment made weeks in advance, (made by the client), follow up messages to make sure I will be there to meet them, and then the day of the meeting, they call 10-30 minutes late and say they won't be able to make it.
Of course all of this is done via e-mail so there is no human contact at all.
They also make sure I don't have a phone number to follow up with a voice so again, no human contact.  It's a rising trend that affects all industries and I do have concerns that it will have long term negative results.  If you  really have no serious interest in a given vendor's work or product, don't make unnecessary appointments.  It waists your time and ours as well.  True professionals are very picky about their time and wish to give 110% to their clients.  We have better things to do than sit around and wait for someone who really isn't interested or too busy to show common courtesy, respect, and manners when it comes to others.

There, I've said it and I stand by it!

Martin
http://www.martinoconnorphoto.com/