Last night I did a presentation on “live TV” in front of the Prescott Valley Arts & Cultural Commission. Over the past few years I have had practice doing public speaking as a member of Business Networking International. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I enjoy it! Ugh.
Presenting my Horse Art to the public.
When member, Suzanne Duskey contacted me a few weeks ago, I couldn’t say no. How do you turn down a free publicity opportunity knocking at your door? I have done two radio interviews in my lifetime and was a nervous wreck leading up to those as well. 
My only true glimpse of fame was when I was two years old and was runner up in the Little Miss Half Pint Beauty Contest sponsored by Carvel Ice Cream. Not sure how much I was talking then. I’m sure I was only in it for my love of soft serve ice cream. I still even have the sash!
Anyway, how hard can it be. There’s only 5 people on the commission and a handful of people in the audience, and I’m talking about something I love.
Preparing for my speech.
So I created an outline tracing back my years of loving and photographing horses. Seems shocking that I’ve been doing this for over 30 years. I wanted to be sure and explain how I got started on the Arabian Horse Ranch in Thermal, CA. and why I am compelled to keep going on this journey(read my website). I wrote down my timeline, mentioned my art gallery showings, my awards, my charity participation and of course my blogging regularly. 
I was ready! My partner gave me few drops of Rescue Remedy and off we went. When I arrived at the Prescott Valley Library Auditorium one of the council members greeted me and thanked me for coming. I had shown my work in the library before and had won 2nd place Best in Show in February for my image, Sand Storm during a public art display. They were all really nice and welcoming. One of the staff members walked me through the process and showed me where the cameras were. He lowered the microphone for me and in minutes we were under way.
I managed to get through the entire presentation in 6 minutes. I talk fast, I’m from New York. I think I only looked at my notes a few times to be sure I didn’t forget anything. Everyone loved my photos and my story. I sat through presentations from other community members and in 30 minutes the whole ordeal was over. All that anxiety released.
I ended the evening enjoying a wonderful meal with my partner at one of my favorite Italian Restaurants in Prescott and of course a big glass of Chianti. I’m not sure I will do this ever again-you never know what the future will bring but now that it’s over, I’m glad I did it! Here’s a shot of the setup and supposedly they will replay the presentation periodically on the Town website.
Jody Miller is a professional photographer specializing in Horse Photography, Equine Photography, and Equestrian photography. Her work can be viewed online here in her gallery section, and she is also featured at these Arizona Galleries: Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery on Whiskey Row in Prescott, AZ and Coops Coffee House at Talking Rock Ranch. Gift Shop at The Phippen Western Art Museum