No Room For Squares

Mark Sheldon’s Music Photography Presentation

The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation has many talented people on its board. One of those folks is freelance photographer Mark Sheldon. He is the Legacy Committee Chair.

If you have attended any of our events, you have probably seen Mark behind the camera. He is also in the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame for his valuable contributions. Many of his music photos have helped to document our rich jazz legacy. He is truly a master at the art of photography and is a professional who many can learn from.

Mark Sheldon is also a house photographer at The Center for the Performing Arts where he was a guest speaker in their Luminaries series which aims to inspire through the arts. At this monthly daytime series, there were light refreshments available and plenty of seating for guests to enjoy the presentation.

Mark stood at a podium and had an easel with the printed photographs that he chose to highlight. He had also prepared a slideshow of photos to talk about that were on large tv screens on either side of the room. The event was well attended by photographers, photography students, musicians, friends of the music community, and Indianapolis Jazz Foundation board members. Everyone was interested in hearing what Mark had to share.

Mark Loves Music and Photography

Mark has photographed thousands of musicians all over the world and has been published in nearly every renowned music magazine and newspaper. His love of music and photography combine into the beautiful and intriguing images he captures and shares with the world. During his presentation, Mark shared some of his favorite photographs and the stories behind the images. Guests heard about where his interest in photography came from and how he turned his love of music and his photographic skill into a rewarding freelance career.

After Mark spoke he opened up the floor for questions. And there were quite a few! Everyone got a better feel for what goes into making a good photo and what Mark’s process is. He is such a talented photographer and it was a very interesting discussion.

“Thanks to everyone that stopped into the Center for the Performing Arts yesterday to listen to me ramble on music and my photography. It was a fun time and I'm honored to have many family, friends, and musicians (you're my friends also) attend. It means a lot to me. Thanks as well to those that sent support from afar and thanks to my friends at the Center (Julia, Kristin, Krista, Scott, Cindy) for putting up with me… As for the rest of you, where the hell were you???”

~ Mark Sheldon

Attendee Feedback

“Awesome artistic, anecdotal and technical presentation and Q&A from Mark Sheldon.”

~David Ponce, friend

“It was great to hear about your life behind the camera Mark! I took no photos with my phone - in your honor!”

~Gary A. Walters, friend

“We really enjoyed it!”

~ LuAnn Lietz, Indianapolis Jazz Foundation

“ Mark Sheldon’s event today at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel called, No Room For Squares. Mark talked about his photography career and his early beginnings and his approach to shooting musical artists over the years. Great info and insight into his process. Great turnout. My photo shoot from the back row. (Hey Mark, don't shoot the guy with the cellphone camera!)

~ Rob Ambrose, pianist