Variety and Versatility

Today was Variety and Versatility day for me.  i started my day photographing a cattle little girl and some Easter photos.  She did really good and was so happy to have a bunny to share her session with.  10:00 am sun was going to cause a few problems so we found a pretty shrub as background and added the FLASHPOINT600 to help me over power the sun.  Next stop was a little cowgirl for her business card, banner sponsor photos.  i’ve Photographed this young lady for a few years and it’s amazing to see her grow up to be such a responsible young adult.  Love the ADORAMA FLASHOINT600 as my main light source.

I ended my day with a recent College graduate and some photos in 4pm daylight to see if I could work on overpowering the sun and working with light as backlight and the mainlight is the 600 to light up the face.  I was very happy with the results I got from the 3 sessions and plan to tackle more of these projects to work on my versatility.

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Light

Light is something I’ve been slowly discovering the past few months.  i use light regularly in my barrel racing photography, but portraits is something i’m still new to and still trying to perfect.

I think i put more practice time in than actually working jobs, but in order to get working jobs you need to practice, and practice some more.

The photographers that make light look so easy must of practiced twice as much as I have, so it’s time to practice some more to learn how to use light.

I prefer a natural setting in my portrait photography using light to enhance the subject without it being over powering.  I definetly need more practice, but in time I will be where I want to be as a portrait photographer

Projects

My year so far has been filled with quite a few projects, I set a goal earlier this year to work on things I am not comfortable with and get comfortable.  I wanted to be able to tackle any project that may be put in front of me.

Studio lighting is one of my weaknesses but after watching a lot of videos to work on my studio lighting I gave it a try today.  I was happy with my results and can’t wait to continue working on this project.

Learning Light

LIGHT!

It was something I avoided for the longest time, being an event photographer now trying to grow more into portrait photography, I avoided light at events until I HAD to learn.  Once I did i will admit your photos are 100% better and I have become so particular with my event photos I don't like photographing without light.

I have been so scared of light in portraits, so many photographers make their photos looks so natural with light and I never felt I could do a good job.  A few months ago I attended the Joel Grimes Workshop in Arizona, what I learned there was I knew more than I thought I knew and I better start applying my knowledge to my portraits and stop worrying if I knew anything.

I finally started to line up projects and practice sessions to help me become a better strobes with my portraits.  I've learned to love what I am doing and want to do more and more photography and lighting photography because it's like anything, if you work at it a little you see improvements every time.

I can't wait to see what I can do by the end of this year.

Projects

I've started to enjoy my self projects so much that I am too the point that maybe I shouldn't photograph except to just work on self projects.

Don't get me wrong I'm thankful to be able to make a living taking photographs for the public in the form of event photography and portraits, but I've become so obsessed with improving and lining up models to work on this or that that I either need to get a day job or win the lottery.

Last year I worked on self projects but would fall behind and then worked so much I never had time to work on them.  I told myself a month ago, I WAS GOING TO IMPROVE and I couldn't do that if I didn't practice.

I've been working alot on headshot and my main market is the barrel racing community.  What better way to work on something to improve than adding in your local barrel racers.

Trinity Smith is one of the youngest trainers in our area, and a very successful young barrel racer.  She has just picked up 2 additional sponsors and I will be adding her to my team in 2018.

Work Hard

Davie King is no stranger to winning barrel races, if you ask anyone in North Central Texas they will tell you "She's a Hand".   One of the biggest compliments you can give someone around ranching or horses.

Barrel Horse trainer, Davie King, 28 of Decatur Texas has an arsenal of horses that she is currently hauling to rodeos and jackpots or has them in training.

Forty degree weather won't slow this lady down and even colder this past weekend in Graham when the temps hit 24 degrees.

If you ask her how does she keep her horses fit in the winter when it's so cold and she will tell you "bundle up, a lot of clothes and just get out there and keep riding".

I respect someone who will work for the things they want to accomplish and Davie happens to be one of those people.

I've had the pleasure of photographing her the past 4 to 5 years in the great sport of Barrel Racing, and I've posted a lot of her photos because she does win quite a few.

Motto:  If you want something you have to work for it, no matter what the conditions are, Hot, Cold, Rain, Snow, or Rain Barrel Racing trainers are like the post office, they don't slow down for the conditions - they work thru them.

Jo
Jo H Photography
www.JoHPhotography.com

Angle

Being a Barrel Racing Photographer has it's advantages and disadvantages.  Advantages:  I have the pleasure of photographing a large portion of the ladies that go to the NFR year after year due tot he area I live in.  Tiany Schuster (photo above) went into the NFR with $250,000 and held the #1 spot the entire 2017 season.  She unfortunately didn't win the World Title but she was in the top 5 at the end of the year.

Disadvantages:  There's not much you can do when you photograph except move your location.  There are 3 barrels, the rider and horse go around 3 barrels and run out - fastest time wins.  With the overflow of barrel photographers popping up there is no longer a need for a photo because you can get one at pretty much any jackpot.

When i first started 5 years ago i was the only one in my area and the demand was high for someone that needed a photo to market their horse.  I had to take my disadvantage and make it my advantage, I am pretty much the only local barrel photographer that will move all over the arena to capture something different.

Last night i used a 24-70 wide angle on my Nikon D500 one strobe light bounced off the ceiling to add just enough light to make to keep my ISO at 800 and avoid the grain.  If the rider and horse hit the pocket they ended up with a sweet photo.

The barrel Racers love anything different.  In business and your art you have to do what captures the eye.  Think outside the box and make your disadvantage your advantage.

www.JoHPhotography.com
Jo Haigwood-Johnson
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