Michael Thornton - Nashville Area photography & videography

Friday's Fotos ~ You Never Know When Disaster Will Strike...
Imagine that you are asleep in bed, you are abruptly awakened by the piercing sound of chiming the smoke alarms. The smell of smoke fills your nostrils as your tired body bolts upright in bed. Instinctively you reach for the bedside phone and dial 911. You tell the operator there is a fire at...
This scene takes place hundreds of times a day, all across the nation. Subconsciously, we think we are prepared. We have insurance, but does that cover the cost of loss of property and moreso, irreplaceable memorabilia?
I was awakened at 2 this morning to multicolored lights flickering on the shades. WT...? Only moments earlier, my neighbors house had caught fire. Thankfully, the Brentwood Fire department was quick to respond and the damage was contained to only a small area.
Some are not so lucky. They lose everything. Nothing can really prepare us for the heartbreak of disasters; natural or otherwise. We just have to cope...

(not so) Wordless Wednesday...
It has been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Then too, there is something about absence or the lack of something that adds intrigue. Yesterday, when I got in from work, the moon flowers were just starting to open and I could not resist their soft fragrance and brilliant white blooms.
Using the power of Photoshop, I cropped, rotated, and tweaked until I banged this out a minute or so later. Moral of story, don't be afraid to take something out of your photos. It may add to the overall composition...

Remembering...
Long before ribbons of asphalt crisscrossed the country sides and subdivisions replaced the once fertile fields, I remember when things were much different. Driving the rural, back-roads, of this sprawling area, I recall when "Cotton was King" and you could get fresh vegetables from the bounty farmers would set up on road side stands. Life was simple and easy. Brentwood was still an unincorporated village and Williamson County was just miles along the interstate.
Although I can't turn back the hands of time, I still remember those cool, misty, southern mornings. The peaceful sounds of birds heralding the dawn, the whirring of a tractor somewhere over the hills, the smell of bacon floating on the thick morning air. There is nothing like watching the first golden rays of a new day peek over the horizon...

(not so) Speachless Sundae...
There are those days when my spirit needs solitude and connection with the Creator. I often go to a quite place, sometimes in my mind or to a place off the beaten path. There is something about clearing the mind and of all its troubles, fears and clutter and reflect upon the beauty that the Creator has given us.
If we are attuned and willing to listen, we can but only realize how blessed we truly are…

Creating Your Listing Trailer...
     The main downside I see with amateur videos is that they are often way too long. While you may think that all the information you are putting in the video is important, your audience may think - BOR-RING!!! Don't bore your clients and prospective buyers with the details - you can do that later. The purpose of your video is to tease them enough to entice them to make the call. Here's how:
     Introduce the subdivision or area. In this example I used a voice over while driving down the road. It could be as you are driving into the subdivision or up to the house. This give your audience a "feel" for the neighborhood - especially if they are not familiar with the area.
     Do a short take outside the property. Describe some of the main features of the property but hold a few things back.
     Do a take of the kitchen. The kitchen is often the home maker's domain. Use the word "home maker". It is generic and cross gendered.
     Do include a few 2 second stills with a "call-to-action" voice over followed with your information.
     Remember, keep your video short, concise and succinct. 60 seconds rock, more than that, their eyes begin to roll...