Growing up on a farm, my earliest memories are filled with the sounds, smells, and noises of many, many boar goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and yes eventually ponies and horses. As a young girl, I was gifted what every little girl dreams of—a pony. This marked the beginning of a lifelong love affair with horses. Over the years, I immersed myself in the equestrian world, participating in shows and forging deep connections with these amazing animals and their owners.
Ranching shows are relatively new for me to photograph, typically because my network is in the contest world. However the arena I have been shooting at the past year has starting having a host of different shows allowing me to branch out with my shooting.
There are many reasons photographers may not to offer mini sessions, which could range from personal preference to business strategy. For me personally all these reason ring true, mini sessions just are not for me.
An advanced photographer is someone who has mastered both the technical and creative aspects of photography, and can consistently produce high-quality, compelling images. Here are a few key characteristics that define an advanced photographer:
As photographers, we know how easy it is to get caught in a rut. Whether you’re just starting out or have been shooting for years, there will always be moments when the creative well feels dry, and motivation is hard to find. But don’t worry—staying motivated as a photographer is possible, and I’m here to share some practical tips to help you reignite your passion and keep your camera clicking!
It is not every day that I offer technical details on how I achieve a photograph. Mostly because I do not think of myself as a technically perfect photographer and my goal is always to get the shot over getting it 100% in camera.
In photography there are rules that function as guidelines that help create interesting and compelling images. These rules also tend to play a role in photography competitions making them rules photographers strive to adhere to but also the things to break to see what we can create when we throw the rules away.
Almost all photographers come to photography because they love it but somewhere along the line it becomes work and the joy can fade. It becomes a job to figure out how to make our initial passion thrive so we keep the joy even when it becomes our job.
2025 is slated to be a busy year for me. Heading toward 50+ equine show dates, weddings, and regular shoots scheduled with more still rolling in. Which is fantastic but challenging as some events overlap, and I will still have weather cancellations and such to deal with making this a very busy season.
Barrel racing is more than just a sport—it's a dance of precision, speed, and unspoken trust between horse and rider. On April 19, 2025, I had the privilege of photographing the second event in the Grizzle Ridge Arena High Point Series in Jerusalem, Ohio. This experience served as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks involved in equestrian sports.