Reflections from the cheap seats
who am I kidding?
Being a rodeo photographer there really are no cheap seats, in fact there are no seats. There is a lot of hustle, up and down and sometimes a bit of dirt kicked into your face. What is there not to love?. As Garth Brooks said "it's the dust and the mud."
I have been blessed to work for the same organization for about a decade. As an established photographer I have been given access to areas of the arena and behind the scenes as the cowboys and gals prep for their run. I have captured some great images and unfortunately some heartbreaking ones. I have watched bulls trample clowns, riders get thrown, trampled and stuck .
I have watched as vets have had to put down animals due to unforeseen accidents.
I have had people criticized the sport because they see what they perceive it to be animals being abuse and lack the knowledge of how well these stock animals are treated.
Why Rodeo?
To me there is just something about the animal, the skill of the rider and the clock, this is how a sport should be. Simple, yet complex.
I know I am blessed to be able to capture the power, the energy and the intimate moments between the rider and the animal.