Why I Love Rodeo Photography
I didn't grow up around rodeo or in the country, but from my first times in the wide open spaces and at rodeos I was hooked.
Mom would lovingly tell you, I stood at the gate in tears afraid to ride as a boy at a ranch in Arizona. Later in life, on our small ranch in Eastern Colorado, Roscoe, our Percheron Quarter Horse crossbred would dump me pretty much after 8 seconds. My wife says, he sensed, my boyhood fears, and would throw me, but I believe it was my inner cowboy at play.
Since the first bucking bull and horse, roping and barrel race I saw, I have admired and amazed by the athleticism, speed, strength, and agility of the amazing rodeo athletes, and oh yes the courage and determination of the cowboys and cowgirls too.
It is an honor and privilege to bring these rides to life in a way that we do not always get to see from the stands. To be among and a part of these amazing people and animals of the rodeo family is very special to me, everyone plays an integral part in helping these men and women reach the 8 seconds, or break their best time.
Although, I will never be on the back of a bucking bull (Thank God), I love the thrill and excitement of creating amazing memories for the riders, producers, performers, stock contractors and fans of rodeo and helping share their stories.
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader" Chris Ledoux
A Little More About Steve
A few other notes about Steve, he is an award winning internationally published professional photographer, a member of the PPA (Professional Photographers of America), VPPA (Virginia Professional Photographers) is a CPP (Certified Professional Photographer)
He is an International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) Card Holding Photographer,
He has an MBA, and does workshops on leadership, battling depression and works to help feed the hungry. He lives with his wife, who is a reigning horse competitor, and youngest daughter in Alexandria, VA. His older daughter who showed western pleasure and equitation now lives with her husband and cowboy on the way in Glascow, UK.
In his free time he still loves to watch English Premier League football, having been a three time state championship goalkeeper in high school, playing and coaching in college. He also loves to ride his bicycle and travel the country and world when he can, or driving the countryside with camera looking for steam trains, and scanning the countryside or 'gawking' as his wife says looking for his next photography, preferably in black and white.