Headshots

This year I wanted to take on a year long project for the main organization I photograph for on a monthly basis.  I wanted to feature the members of NBHA15 in Texas.  When I started my photography journey they were one of the first organizations I started to photograph for.  

They have always been a HUGE supporter of my photography and I have grown to know so many of them that I wanted everyone to know how amazing they are.

My goal was to feature the members so we could get to know them personally and also to understand why they are members of the NBHA.  After their headshots I ask them to type up 2 paragraphs and send them to me to share along with their photo.  Through this project I have learned a lot I didn’t know about each one of them.

Through this project we’ve also seen quite of them get featured on a national level which makes me extremely happy for everyone to meet our local barrel racers.  All over the world there are amazing people out there and for me to work on this for 2020 I am so happy to get to know people at a little closer level than I would if I was just photographing their action photo.

I like to take on projects if it’s for a day, a week, month or even a year they help me grow!  I can’t wait until the end of the year to see how many I am able to capture and to get to know each one of them a little bit more

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Rent vs Buy

If you have the opportunity to rent a piece of equipment before you buy I highly recommend this.  Luckily photographers are able to borrow a lens, camera or lighting gear from friends, stores and rental specialty locations.

It is one of the best ways to try out a piece of gear before you lay down $Hundreds and even $Thousands in dollars.

If your not sure about a piece of equipment and rush out and buy it then realize it's not what you really "needed" But "wanted" you just used up your savings and unless that store has an amazing return policy, your piece of equipment because a very heavy paperweight and you'll have trouble getting what you paid for back.

There are times when I need a certain lens for an event, I rent a super wide angle lens for real estate photography, it's not something I do on a regular basis, I may photograph 1-4 houses a year which is not much, the lens I need is $1400 why spend that much money on a lens that's going to be used 4 times a year.  Instead I rent that lens, if the agent wants to push more work my way, I would love to buy the lens but until I work at a job to pay for the equipment than renting is the way I will go.

Weddings is another event that you can rent and save money on specialty lenses and not have so much money sitting around.

Check out some of your local camera stores and ask them if they offer a rental program.  Most stores offer a 1 day rate for weekends, which Is the best time to rent.  You pick it up on Friday after lunch, keep it all weekend, return it on Monday before lunch for the price of 1 day.  Thats a steal if your using that lens for a weekend of jobs.  You save a few thousand dollars and you don't have to turn your profit into a paper weight

Owning is great once you know you are going to use that lens, or if you have to send your equipment off to be taken care of for maintenance and repairs, rent the equipment you need to keep from buying a second piece.  I use my 70-200mm F2.8 pretty much daily, if that lens goes back to the manufacturer for some work, I am calling the local camera store and renting it for the jobs I have.

I do have multiple lenses in my arsenal but each one has a specialty and may not work.  So before putting a bunch of money down and impulse buying, rent something to try for a week or two and then you'll know if you have to have it or just wanted it.


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Event Photographer and Promoters Working as a Team

There is a great quote by Henry Ford

TEAMWORK!
         Coming together is a beginning
                 Keeping together is a progress
                         Working together is a success!

I've been an event photographer since the very beginning of my photography career, it's how I actually got into photography when I wanted to learn.

I remember buying my camera and not having anything interesting or so I thought at the time so I reached out to a few clubs in the area to start practicing.  That little email that led me to Saint Jo Texas to photograph the Saint Jo Youth Rodeo Series for a couple years led me to other avenues

I ended up hearing about a barrel race at Nocona by TOBRA, I reached out to that organization and asked if they had anyone photographing and could I come out.  I am ALWAYS going to ask I am against people practicing on top of the event photographer and then giving photos away. I think its a courtesy to ask and then be told yes or no you can come out.

After a few years traveling with TOBRA I found some local organizations (NBHA15 which serves my area, WWP at the old Wild West Arena in Azle its named something else now) and then some random races around the area.

Over time I started to photograph for Infinity C Ranch, Bar G, BPH Productions, Salt Creek and a few other promoters.

I think what has kept me in the arena (most event photographers do retire from that and move onto other things) is the teamwork I have with the promoters/producers.  I feel like the current ones I am working with we have a good "TEAMWORK" we respect each other and help each other.  They allow me to come out and photograph at their venue/events and I in turn advertise and do everything I can to help get the word out about their events.  Over time I will sponsor events to support them for supporting me.

I have been blessed to have good experiences with promoters, there's always going to be bad experiences.  From the bad experience I have had I would highly recommend communication and make sure everything is clear up front.  Know what your going into and what they expect from you and vice versa.

Don't just take as a photographer, don't go in and shoot, sell and leave, you do need to do something in return.  I offer this and that and if they don't follow thru and let me know then I have made the invitation that this is what I can do for you.

I like that my working relationship involves them and I working together on dates.  NBHA15 will always reach out to me at the end of the year to ask what my schedule looks like, I like that, they want to work with me.  They will never replace me as a photographer also and that may not seem like much but that does make me feel good.

I've been named their #official photographer as well as Infinity C Ranch and BPH Productions when they were having their Tuesday night Races.  As a photographer in a very busy area those little things mean alot.  When I'm free for races for Bar G they also will name me as their #official photographer.

What that means to me is they will support me at their events and if someone else shows up to try to photograph and give photos away I know they will politely let them know we have a photographer please don't step on her toes.

I have been blessed to work with some amazing organizations and as I try to slow down and move into other areas, I have a goal and plan to continue but continue at a smaller level and continue to work with the promoters I currently work with.

When I started my goal was never to go to the big events like NFR or BBR World, I just wanted to be good at what I do at my level, the events I chose to photograph(If I am ever invited to something on a different scale than what I photograph, I would be honored to take a look).  I couldn't do that without the support of the barrel racer and the support of the promoters/producers that allow me to be a part of their team.

I look forward to 2020 and working with NBHA15, Bar G, Infinity C Ranch, NTHSRA, KP Productions, TJRA and a few other events.

MY schedule is pretty full for this year but I do have a few open weekends contact me as far in advance as you can if your interested in myself photographing for you.

www.JoHPhotography.com

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Getting ready for your session

Yesterday while capturing Madison Wrights headshot for her MaddGlam page she mentioned something so amazing, she wanted to do a series of videos on how to get ready for your photo session.

First of all check her out on Facebook under MaddGlam, she is the #official Makeup artist for www.JoHPhotography.com.

I like to mention to any potential clients that one of the best things you can do is prepare, don't wait to the last minute and think about what you would like to accomplish as the end result of your session.

Some sessions go really quick and easy some take alot of work, I don't mind scouting backgrounds (after a retainer is paid of course) and meeting up with the clients to talk about your vision.

Right now I have a few sessions in the works, we talk about clothes, time of year, color therapy, animals, no animals, time of day, makeup etc.  Alot of work can and can't go into a session.  Some of the best sessions involve alot of behind the scenes and prep work.

Photographers book up early for senior sessions that are between February and Graduation, Don't wait to try to get the photographer of your choice, there may be a good chance their books up.  Plan ahead, pay your retainer get your date reserved then if weather comes in and messes up your day your on the books and they can work with you on moving to the next available day.

If you want your horses to be dolled up and looking gorgeous that takes time too, make sure their bathed, new shoes or trimming, get a FITTED halter, it doesn't have to be a fancy leather halter with silver, but if it makes your horse look amazing, borrow one, just make sure it fits.  Everyone will say You can just Photoshop it.  We don't want to photoshop it, we want to do less on the computer as possible.

so make a checklist. 

1) Photographer

2) makeup artist

3) location

4) time of Day

5) clothes

6) etc.  

Talk to your photographer and make up artist to help you, this is what we do and we want your session to be the best session ever.  We know having a photo shoot isn't cheap (at least for an experienced photographer).  We want you to get what your paying for.

Contact me for your senior, family, engagement, wedding, maternity, newborn, baby's first year session.  Anything Equine it's what I do.

www.JoHPhotography.com

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A Photographers Tips To Buying Gear

Around the holidays I am asked a lot about camera gear; "so and so is interested in photography what do you recommend"

I try to find out exactly what will so and so be photographing because there are so many directions you can go.  Is it for pleasure or are they planning to start a business?  Is it indoors or outdoors, is it portraits or action?  The one thing you want, just my personal opinion, when your looking to get a camera or your giving a camera as a gift is ask yourself a few questions.

What do I want my camera for
Am I doing it for fun
will I be using it outdoor days or indoor nights

The last one is a big one, if your buying a camera just for fun you can get by with a starter kit that most camera stores, Best Buy, Walmart, etc offer during Black Friday.  The kit lens that comes with the camera is perfect to start out with.  Get to know that camera and if your interest stays with you then you can progress.  Most of your money will be in the lens you add to that first camera.  You can buy as low as $100 and spend as much as $10,000 it just depends on what you want.

I highly recommend if you decide to keep going to rent; rent locations at Arlington Camera, Competitive Camera, Borrowlenses.com Lensrental.com. Those are amazing if your thinking of buying a lens but your not sure you want to drop a lot of money, rent it for a few days or few weeks to try it out first.  I do this a lot before spending money on a lens.  At the profession I am at I have spent up to $3,000 on a lens, thats not easy to turn loose, so you do want to make sure its going to work for you and you will get a return on your investment.

Cameras, you can do a lot with just any starter camera, when I get messages on what to get I always recommend a DX or Crop Sensor, it's smaller and lightweight, you get about an extra 80mm of reach vs the big FX that I use for portraits and commercial work.  Their more affordable.  The camera I use for all of the action photos is a DX, I like the extra 80mm of reach on my 200mm lens and its lighter, even though I use a monopod Most jobs you can get fatigues just holding up a large kit.  Look at Megapixels are you just printing 5x7, 8x10 or are you looking at build boards?  do your research, the one thing you want to avoid is buying something a year later because you didn't do your research.  New gear comes out faster than new car models, but you WON'T get a good trade or cash in on camera gear, it depreciates very fast.

YOUTUBE for research, I've watched a lot of videos trying to narrow down a purchase, my newest camera the Nikon D850 boasted a hefty $3200 price, I saved for a year and watched video all year to make sure that was the one I wanted.  It was in such high demand you couldn't get it for the longest time nor could you rent it.  When my name came up on the wait list, I bought it and it was a great investment.  I plan to keep this camera for quite a few years - its my only camera body for weddings, senior portraits, sale horses, stallions and such. I don't use it for barrel racing, it cost to much to get dusty.

There are some great stores that sell refurbished. B&H and Adorama, they are 100% photo and video related stores so they receive a lot of gear, I send all of mine to Adorama to trade for new gear, they give me the best value, offer free shipping and no sales tax.  as a business every penny counts and thats who I choose to do business with.

One last thing to remember is if you just want a carry around camera don't forget the advancements of the iPhones or any phone.  Most now have 4K built in, they have so many great lens on the camera and you can buy additional lens that attach to your phone. You would be surprised what high quality is out there just for a carry mourned lens.  I bought the iPhone 10 and I've started to play with the camera and settings and I'm pretty blown away, when I do my scouting trips a lot of times the photos I am taking to do my research and map out sessions is from the photos I have taken from the iPhone.

Just do your research before you pay, remember that gear is pretty amazing, but it doesn't hold the value thats why we keep our gear as long as we can until we just can't do without that new shiny model and have to have it

www.JoHPhotography.com

Why I Love Portrait Photography

The past few years I've seen my business grow more toward portrait photography, a little back history about me I started out photographing a local Youth Organization and from there a few of the moms would ask if I also did portraits.  I started out playing around with it but when I decided to really pursue portrait photography I started to attend workshops from more experienced photographers.  I learned that I really love taking portraits, I especially enjoy when they include things they love if its horses, sheep, cars, trucks, boats.  Anything that in 20 years from now will remind them of this time in their life.

As a portrait photographer that is working to photograph the seniors in your area, think about this occasion.  It is one of the last big moments in that young persons life for his or her parents.  The parents have had so much time with this person capturing memories and now its time for you to give them one of the last biggest memories that parents will have as this young person is probably going off to college.  If your a photographer, talk to the parents to have them as involved as possible - this is such a great memory for them and they know its just a few months away before this life they have been consumed with is about to go off to adulthood.

Be as creative as possible in the senior sessions, ask a lot of questions, what are your interests, what are your hobbies, what are some of the things you love to do, do you play sports etc.  Incorporate as much of their personality and likes in their session - as young people move on to other things in life they may end up leaving behind something that consumed a lot of their lives at this point, give them a lasting memory

Don't forget the critters in your sessions, everyone has a special horse, dog, or cat that they are so close to, I have the above young lady booking a session a year to capture the growth of this palomino, it's the best feeling knowing that you will be seeing them yearly and each year will be different in theme and in the meantime we are capturing memories that she will cherish for a lifetime

When someone contacts you for a session, along with answering all of their questions, please ask them questions as well, you want this experience to be amazing for them, when they receiving their photos you want them to love them so much they are all over their home printed, framed and there for all of her friends and family to see.

www.JoHPhotography.com to book your session

My Most Recent Session

My most recent session happened to be held at one of my favorite locations (Infinity c Ranch) in Farmersville Texas and was with a few of my favorite ladies since I picked up my camera.

When Alyson contacted me for a quick shoot she wanted something special with herself and her daughter.  We originally planned to have the session at the State Park close to Sanger, but ended up moving the location due to some obligations closer to home for this duo.

I remember walking around thinking, Boy this Sun is harsh, there's not this, there's not that and I had all this worry I wasn't going to get them something to brag about.  I walked here, walked there, held my camera up, down, upside down (haha) and then finally walked to a spot and turned 1/2 way around and knew that was the spot.

Even with all of the scouting, all the prep sometimes things aren't ideal, but that teaches us as artist to just take a look around your surroundings.  You will be surprised what is right in front of you.  I ended up being very blessed with this golden field with the sun just right and the ladies so beautiful there was no way we were going to walk away unhappy.  That little 15-20 minutes in that field turned out to be some of my most favorite work as an artists.  It helped that I had two beautiful ladies in front of me and gorgeous horses as their props.

As an artist if your a photographer, painter, sketch artist, anything just look around without walking in all directions and you will be surprised what's in front of you.  Picture a person or thing in that spot and you can make magic.  Don't overthink it, let the artist in you go free and you will capture a memory for someone that they will proudly display on their wall.

My most recent session made me happy because the mother/daughter that I photographed were happy with their photos and displayed them proudly on facebook and I know will display them on their wall.

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