Conor McDonnell

So, I've been putting off doing a blog as it takes a bit of time putting them together but the more and more I put it off the more and more I need to do one as I end up doing more and more things!

So I'm sorry for the lack of blog posts lately but after this one I should be up to date (until next time!)

My last blog post was about Elbow, Willow Smith and Bieber...jeeeze it has been long!

So since then (where do I start?) Here it goes...

Trey Songz, packed out liverpool university, awesome to shoot, nice lighting etc. Never really heard of the guy but there seemed to be a lot of people who do!
TREY SONGS - LIVERPOOL UNI 23/4/11 

After Trey was possibly the biggest show I've shot in the 02 academy Liverpool. Snoop Dogg came to town! 
Despite being nearly 2 hours late on stage with me waiting in front of amps with the bass shaking my insides, it was a great show, when he eventually arrived.
SNOOP DOGG - LIVERPOOL ACADEMY 

I was also asked by my friend and AWESOME photographer Danny North - www.dannynorth.co.uk to assist him on a video shoot for Lone Wolf. 
You can read all about it in Dannys blog as it saves me writing all about it and basically repeating what he said. I thought it was awesome and I had such a good time and a great laugh with everyone. The video has been delayed so it won't be out yet but it's gonna be amazing!

I also assisted Danny on a shoot with a band I know called the Temps, who are also awesome. They were the first band I shot which got published. So big love for these guys. The shoot was really cool and I can't wait to see the shots, besides that, I can't say much about it as the photos haven't been published yet. It was also really cool to meet Tom Martin, Dannys main assistant. Tom is a great photographer and a really nice guy! www.tmoose.co.uk

 

Then it was time for Liverpool Soundcity Round 3. I love soundcity, it's such a great festival and running around the city centre like a mad man for 3 days is all part of the fun. Saw a load of ace bands, great music, people, just general good times. 
YOU CAN SEE THE SET HERE - LIVERPOOL SOUNDCITY  

 

During soundcity I got an email from someone who I've been waiting for an email from since I started...NME!
They wanted me to cover a band from Liverpool playing during soundcity called OUTFIT.
Not going to lie, I was very nervous about the whole thing, as I really didn't want to mess up!
It was a tricky shoot, the light was constantly changing in the bombed out church as it was sunset so battling with the light was a bit tricky but I managed to get some that they were happy with and eventually published one.

 

Later that month Shirlaine asked me to assist her on a really big shoot and it really was BIG!
She was the featured photographer/industry professional on a episode of an upcoming show on BBC3 called Hot Like Us.
The production was MASSIVE, camera/lighting/production/directors/makeup artists etc were everywhere!! So many people, it was amazing to see how much production is put into those kind of shows. Shirlaine killed it. So good. She was awesome. I really enjoyed myself assisting her as always and I finally got to use a smoke machine on a shoot (something I've been dying to do for aaaaages!)

 

Not long after, I got an email about one of my photos, it ended up being MTV wanting to use it online, amazing...

 A couple of days later, I was off to Glastonbury, not with a photopass but just as a punter. Best year I've been by far, it was so good, saw all sorts, Radiohead, Coldplay, U2, Beyonce, QOTSA, Big Boii etc etc too many to go into but yeah it was awesome, and also awesome to bump into so many people including Shirlaine and Danny! Good times.

I recently had my first promo shoot for an AWESOME band called Battleships - www.facebook.com/battleshipsnoise definitely go check them out, I've been doing lots of work with them lately and theres some really exciting things coming soon! It was awesome to try out my new bowens lights. They are sweeet and I'm made up with the photos of the band...

  

Along side all of this, I've been busy completing my Art Foundation year at Winstanley College. Been hard work keeping work and college work up but I have managed to do it and achieved a Highly Commended Distinction for my result. So made up about it! 

Last week I bought myself a New Canon 5dmk2. It.Is.Amazingggggg. Can't wait to properly try it out.

So now, I think I am up to date! I'm off to Secret Garden Party with Danny North this weekend assisting him again, it's gonna be amazing. I'm going to a festival for the first time and not camping...but staying in a hotel. Ahhh yeahhh. But serious good times are ahead. 

Peace out.