Cowgirls with Cameras

In this episode of Cowgirls with Cameras, we’re talking about gear and gadgets we love, from little tools that get you experimenting to bigger upgrades that change how you work.We explore creative extras like portable fog machines and lights that project patterns, along with accessories that make working in the field a little easier. We also tackle what photographers should consider when shopping for an editing computer, including the laptop-versus-desktop debate, Mac versus PC, and why a bigger monitor isn’t necessarily a better one.And we’re sharing why moving from DSLR to mirrorless has made such a difference in our equine photography, from tracking moving horses to switching between stills and video during client sessions.Whether you’re weighing a major purchase or looking for something fun to shake up your next shoot, come hear what we’re using, what we’re loving, and what’s on the wish list. Consider this fair warning for your camera budget.

If your horse photos are blurry, this episode of the Cowgirls with Cameras podcast breaks down the most common reasons equine images lose sharpness and how to fix them. Kim, Phyllis, and Cara cover the camera settings, autofocus choices, lens considerations, and practical troubleshooting tips that help horse photographers create sharper horse and rider photos in a variety of situations, from action shots to indoor arenas. You’ll hear how shutter speed, ISO, aperture, focus modes, focal points, stabilization, cropping, lens quality, and camera technique all work together so you can make better decisions in the moment and come home with clearer, stronger equine photography.Thank you to Guild Canvas for all of their support. Learn more about this luxury line of museum quality, handmade canvas for portrait photographers and how you can work with Guild Canvas here: Guild Canvas CompanyJoin Cowgirls with Cameras online in a private community for equine photographers at https://cowgirlswithcameras.community

Starting photography can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. In this episode, Kim, Phyllis, and Cara share practical ways beginners can grow their skills faster without trying to learn everything at once. They talk about choosing a subject to focus on, learning the behavior and rhythm of what you photograph, and finding a supportive community that can offer feedback, ideas, and real solutions when you get stuck. They also introduce the Equine Photography for Beginners course available inside the Cowgirls with Cameras Community (cowgirlswithcameras.community), designed to help new photographers focus on what actually matters in the beginning, cut through the noise, and concentrate their time on the skills and knowledge that will move them forward fastest.

Selling doesn’t have to feel awkward or pushy. In this episode, we talk about how photographers can turn sales into conversations by building real relationships, showing up consistently, and being clear about what they offer. We cover sales language, asking for the sale without pressure, helping clients understand their “why,” and preparing them for the process so nothing feels surprising later. When trust comes first and expectations are clear, selling stops feeling like selling and starts feeling like good client care.

Keeping up with your creativity is great… until life, clients, deadlines and expectations begin pulling you in every direction at once. In this episode, we discuss how you can safeguard your creative energy while also showing up professionally for your clients. From honoring your own style inside your client work, to understanding what projects will fill your tank, to the tiny habits that keep your artistic brain from melting down. This episode is about sustainability... not hustle and perfection. Just staying creatively alive in a service-based business.

This bonus episode is your full rundown of everything we’re hosting in 2026. We’re walking through each equine photography event, where we’re going, what you’ll photograph, and who each experience is best for. From iconic ranch locations to mountain scenes and wide-open landscapes, we share what makes each event unique, how they’re structured, and what you’ll walk away with beyond just pretty pictures. If you’ve been eyeing our 2026 calendar or trying to decide which adventure fits your goals, this episode will help you plan ahead and get excited.

Today we’re pulling back the barn door and taking you inside our very first year of running the Cowgirls With Cameras online community. From the moment inspiration struck on a long drive home from Cottonwood, to wrestling with platform setups, to celebrating member wins, shared wisdom, and all the friendship that’s bloomed along the way… this episode is one big heart-to-heart about what it really takes to build a thriving equine photography hub in a noisy digital world.We share why we built this community, what we’ve learned, the unexpected joys, and how the space has grown into a true gathering place for equine photographers who want connection, education, and a place where they can finally tune out the noise and focus on their craft.We talk about:• Why social media wasn’t the long-term home creatives deserve• How our Resource Barn came to life (and what’s inside)• The power of member-to-member learning• Why equine photographers need a dedicated place to grow• Behind-the-scenes moments, laughs, learning curves, and triumphs• What’s coming next — lives, editing challenges, mini-lessons, and moreIf you're curious about joining us — or simply love hearing how real creative communities are built — this is your campfire moment.Come on over to cowgirlswithcameras.community and see what we’ve built.Links referenced in this episode:cowgirlswithcameras.community

In this mindset-focused episode of Cowgirls with Cameras, we’re getting real about the mistakes that taught us the most — and how they changed the way we think, work, and show up as photographers. Kim opens up about the trap of people-pleasing and the importance of setting realistic expectations with clients, even when it feels uncomfortable. Cara shares the story of an entire day of holiday mini-sessions gone wrong thanks to a broken lens, and how that moment redefined her understanding of professionalism — learning that recovery builds more trust than perfection ever could. Phyllis reflects on a painful early-career lesson about protecting her work and setting clear boundaries after a client used her images without permission, and how that experience reshaped her approach to contracts and communication. Together, we explore how the biggest growth in our photography businesses often comes from the hardest lessons — and why mistakes, handled with honesty and intention, can become our greatest teachers.