'Can’t say much about it yet': Longford videographer has been having a busy year

Nathan Sheridan, Longford videographer and photographer from Edgeworthstown, has been very busy over these past number of months. Known for his impressive skills in both corporate and personal projects, he has a great love for Longford despite his global expeditions. Nathan occupies a work base in Longford town.

With a Facebook page called “Nathan’s Photography and Videography” as well as Instagram which he uses for portfolio purposes, Nathan gave a brief teaser about his upcoming project. However, specific details are yet to be revealed, but he came to chat to the 'Longford Leader' about his craft as an overall experience.

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“There was a shift in the last months that got pretty intense,” he said. “I’ve been back and forth in the US. I’ve been working on a documentary. Can’t say much about it yet. Pretty hardcore and intense. Filming the American Dream and the opportunities, connection, money and how big of an open world it is.”

Nathan spoke of his learning background, how he started by editing YouTube videos and watching YouTube videos to build his skillset. He said that he invested in a camera, and found local projects, from commercial and photography, which have successfully led to a personal brand.

With the portfolio growing and becoming more impressive, Nathan’s client-based list includes Longford businesses. Retaining his strong connection to his beginnings, between the global trips, he makes time to cater to the recognisable businesses:

“Between the last few months, taking on this new piece in the US, it’s tough to balance stuff in Longford. But I’m a homebird. I’ve still got Spirit Clothing, a couple of the coffee shops, the gym. Keeping a balance of home but the world. A balanced client base is important to me.”

Like most creative people who want to get their name out there to gain a professional reputation, Nathan spoke about the importance that social media has had on his work. At the present, he has nearly 20,000 followers on Instagram, and his Facebook nearly has 1,000. These platforms are always updated with new footage. Yet, the power of social media has expanded not just as a place to exhibit his projects, but as a hub to build connections and commissions:

“If it wasn’t for social media, it would’ve been a lot more difficult. I use it as a self-portfolio, uploading content as much as I can, every week. Showcasing my work. My portfolio brings new clients, reaching out. New connections and relationships.

Getting to meet new people, new work, experiences new kinds of work. In the beginning, it is difficult to build this up, but over the years, posting to social media, the brand, there would be a time when the work was coming to me. I didn’t have to put myself out there as much.”

This followed with the challenges faced by modern expectations, and the hold that technology has on people. Nathan reflected on the influences that social media can have to deter people from individuality.

“The way social media is always changing,” he said was a major challenge in the industry. “All these trends. All these people feel they have to stick to them. It takes away from the art side of things. Stepping outside of that box and being creative in your own way will help you stand out more. It’s harder to grow more that way. People will appreciate that more. It has that special touch about it.”

“Getting into more social projects, travel films around Europe. Morocco as well–there’s something special about it. Every six months I go over there; the process, the culture, the people. There’s something special about that place. It has that kind of special feel about it. A different world. Magical to document stuff over there.

“I feel like every trip is different. The unknown of what could happen, every place, every country and culture are different. Capturing that from my lens and eye. It is an addiction. It’s like a new art process every time. Every new trip I go into, I come out with new methods, new creative styles. There’s a lot of new stuff for me, seeing the world through my eyes. I feel like every place has its own unique look about it, and being able to document it and bring it back to Longford and Ireland is really cool, I think.”

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With plenty to look forward to and the documentary teased but yet to be unveiled, Nathan left a comment about what people should do if they want to become videographers or videographers, as well as Longford’s creative evolution. He had plenty of inspiration towards aspiring people and the county.

“Just don’t be afraid to do it. When I first started off, I was anxious about stepping out. Not knowing or communicating with people is nerve-wracking. When you put yourself out there more, you become more comfortable. New talents that you didn’t think you were capable of doing. Finding something new about yourself, a positive impact. A lot of positive energy. Longford is a small place, so when people come together, there’s a special energy. There’s a lot of sense of direction because you learn a lot of new things from people in that space. Years ago, when I first started, there wasn’t a huge creative scene in Longford. Nowadays, there is so much art and talent in Longford. People coming together can push each other in that direction.”