About
PAUL MICHAEL O’CONNOR
Cinematographer • Director • Filmmaker
Texas-based cinematographer, director, and filmmaker creating emotionally grounded narrative work, cinematic commercial campaigns, and destination storytelling.
Filmmaker
Story first. Always.
Paul Michael O’Connor is a cinematographer, director, and filmmaker based in Texas. His work spans narrative film, commercial production, documentary, branded content, and tourism campaigns, with an emphasis on visual storytelling that serves performance and emotion.
Rather than approaching cinematography as decoration, Paul builds images around the needs of the story — using light, lens choice, composition, movement, and color to shape how an audience experiences a scene.
His background across production, cinematography, editing, and color gives him a broad understanding of how creative decisions carry through the full filmmaking process.
Cinematography
What should the audience feel?
Every project starts with the same question: what should the audience feel?
From there, visual choices become intentional. Lighting should reflect the emotional state of the scene. Camera movement should have a reason. Lens choice should influence proximity and perspective. Composition should support performance, not compete with it.
Paul’s approach favors cinematic images that feel motivated, grounded, and connected to story.
Directing + Original Films
Expanding the story beyond the frame.
In addition to cinematography, Paul is developing an expanding body of work as a director and filmmaker through Tame Rabbit Media Partners.
His recent short film Where He Left Himself reflects that direction — combining intimate performance, controlled visual storytelling, and emotionally driven narrative filmmaking.
Original narrative work is an increasingly important part of Paul’s creative focus, with the long-term goal of writing, directing, and photographing independent films alongside select commercial and destination projects.
Commercial + Destination
Narrative thinking for real-world brands and places.
Paul also works with brands, agencies, tourism organizations, and production companies to create cinematic commercial and destination content.
The same principles used in narrative filmmaking — performance, atmosphere, movement, and emotional connection — carry into campaigns designed to make audiences care about a product, place, or experience.
Production Capability
Built to support the creative.
Recognition
Awards + Industry
Best Cinematography — 2025
Texas Indie Filmmaker Awards
Featured In
VoyageDallas
Shoutout DFW
CanvasRebel
Industry Profiles
IMDb
FilmFreeway
Staff Me Up
Tame Rabbit Media Partners
Original stories. Independent production.
Paul is also a co-founder of Tame Rabbit Media Partners, an independent production company focused on original narrative filmmaking, production, and long-form development.
Visit Tame Rabbit →Start a Project
Let’s build something worth watching.
Narrative • Commercial • Tourism • Documentary