Equine Photographers Podcast

EPISODE SUMMARY The current conversation around AI feels new—but the pattern isn’t. In this Field Notes episode, we look at how the shift from film to digital mirrors what’s happening now with AI, and how increased access has changed both the industry and the people working in it. SHOW NOTES The conversation around AI in photography is being treated like something completely new. But it isn’t. The industry has already gone through a major shift—from film to digital—and the pattern we’re seeing now isn’t all that different. In this Field Notes episode, we step back and look at what actually changed during that transition, and how it reshaped who could enter the industry, how images were produced, and how pricing and expectations started to shift. Because what happened then is happening again now. More access.More output.More pressure. And just like before, the separation isn’t coming from the tools. It’s coming from how well those tools are actually understood and used. IN THIS EPISODE We cover: what changed when photography moved from film to digital how accessibility reshaped the industry why more people producing images doesn’t equal more understanding how AI fits into that same pattern where the real separation is happening now why this shift is affecting pricing, workflow, and business structure KEY TAKEAWAY Every shift in photography increases access. It does not increase understanding at the same rate. That gap is where the separation happens. WHY THIS MATTERS In equine photography, this isn’t just about images. It affects: how photographers enter the industry how work is priced how businesses are structured how consistent (or inconsistent) the final product becomes And when those things shift, it doesn’t just affect photographers. It affects: trainers owners buyers and how horses are represented overall THE BIGGER CONVERSATION This isn’t about resisting new tools. Digital didn’t ruin photography. AI won’t either. But every shift changes who can participate—and how easy it is to produce something that looks finished. The question isn’t whether the tools are changing. It’s whether the understanding behind them is keeping up. CONNECTED CONTENT This episode is part of a larger series on equine photography and marketing standards. Read the full article:From Film to Digital to AI: How Accessibility Changed the Industry FINAL NOTE The pattern hasn’t changed. The tools have just made it faster. COMING NEXT The Pricing Problem: Why So Many Photographers Struggle to Make a Living If this is something you’ve seen play out over time, share this episode or pass it along to someone in the industry. Subscribe The post 35: Field Notes – From Film to Digital to AI: We’ve Seen This Before (Part 4) appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Field Notes | Equine Photographers Podcast EPISODE SUMMARY Editing has always been part of professional photography, especially in equine work where environments are often unpredictable. But as AI tools become more common, the line between refining an image and altering the horse itself is becoming less clear. In this Field Notes episode, I break down the difference between traditional editing tools like Photoshop and AI-driven processes. While both can improve an image, they do not work the same way—and that difference matters. We get into where normal editing belongs, what AI is actually doing when it regenerates parts of an image, and why that becomes a much bigger issue when the subject is a horse. Because in equine photography, especially in sale horse and stallion marketing, even subtle inaccuracies can change perception. This is not really a Photoshop vs AI conversation. It is a conversation about whether the horse is being preserved—or changed. In this episode: what editing is supposed to do the difference between cleaning up an image and changing the horse how Photoshop works differently from AI why AI regeneration is not the same as traditional editing where the ethical line sits in equine photography why this matters more in sale horse and stallion marketing KEY TAKEAWAY The tool is not the issue. The outcome is. CONNECTED CONTENT This episode is part of a larger series on equine photography and marketing standards. Related article:Photoshop vs AI: Where the Line Is in Equine Photography FINAL NOTE This conversation is just getting started. COMING NEXT NEXT Coming up in this series: Stallion & Sale Ads: Why “Pretty” Isn’t the Same as Effective If this topic is relevant to your work, share this episode or send it to someone who’s part of this conversation. Subscribe The post 33: Field Notes – Photoshop vs AI: Where the Line is in Equine Photography (Part 2) appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Field Notes | Equine Photographers Podcast This episode breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in photography right now: who actually owns a photo—and who has the right to use it. As the demand for content has increased across the equine industry, more people are handling images daily without fully understanding how ownership and licensing work. That misunderstanding is leading to misuse, confusion, and lost income for photographers. This is not a gray area. It just hasn’t been explained clearly. In this Field Note, we walk through the structure of photo ownership in straightforward terms—without legal jargon or overcomplication. In This Episode Why photo rights confusion has increased in recent years Who owns the copyright (and when that ownership begins) What clients are actually paying for when they hire a photographer The difference between ownership and licensing What a license allows—and what it doesn’t How image usage applies to trainers, brands, and businesses Where social media managers fit into image usage When usage crosses into a separate business purpose Why “having the file” does not equal having the rights Key Takeaway The photographer owns the copyright. Clients receive a license to use the images—within defined terms. That license does not automatically extend to other businesses, including social media managers using images for their own promotion. Access to an image is not the same as permission to use it. Practical Framework Before using any image for business purposes, ask: Do I own this image? Do I have a license? Does that license cover my specific use? Do I have permission from the photographer? If the answer isn’t clearly yes, the image shouldn’t be used. Related Resource A full written breakdown of this topic is available on The Horse In Focus, covering licensing structure, real-world scenarios, and how to handle usage correctly across different roles in the industry. View the article. Subscribe The post 31: Field Notes – Who Owns Photo Rights Photographer vs Client vs Social Manager appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Why Can’t Multiple Photographers Just Shoot the Same Horse Show? Horse show photography isn’t built around competition. It’s built around coverage. This question comes up all the time: Why can’t multiple photographers just shoot the same horse show? On the surface, it sounds like a competition issue. It’s not. It comes down to how horse shows are actually run, and where photography fits into that system. Horse show photography isn’t just about getting a good shot. It’s about consistent coverage for every exhibitor that walks into the arena. That’s the part most people don’t see. This episode walks through what that actually looks like. In This Episode why horse shows aren’t open shooting environments what the official photographer is actually responsible for how larger shows are covered by coordinated teams what happens when photographers work independently at the same event why consistency matters more than people think Key Takeaway Horse show photography is built around coverage. Not competition. The goal is simple. Every exhibitor who goes in the pen should be able to find their ride documented. Not just the big runs. Not just the top riders. Everyone. Related Article Read the full article:Why Horse Shows Use an Official Photographer (And Not Multiple Photographers) Connect The Horse In Focus Equine Photographers Podcast Final Thought Understanding how horse shows operate helps photographers approach the industry with more clarity and professionalism. And that benefits everyone involved — the photographers, the riders, and the events themselves. Subscribe The post 29: Field Notes – Why Can’t Multiple Photographers Just Shoot The Same Show appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Horse shows are busy, fast-moving environments where trainers, exhibitors, and organizers work together to keep everything running smoothly. Along the rail, it’s common to see someone with a camera—but not every photographer is there in an official capacity. The ethics of photographing horse shows becomes an important conversation when someone simply shows up and begins shooting without permission. Understanding the role of the official photographer, the expectations of show management, and the impact on the industry helps clarify why this situation is more complex than it might first appear. Episode Summary Can you photograph a horse show without permission? In this Field Notes episode, we break down the ethics of photographing horse shows and why simply showing up with a camera isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. From the role of the official photographer to the expectations of show management, this conversation explores the professional standards that keep the industry functioning smoothly. Subscribe What You’ll Learn What the official horse show photographer is responsible for Why photographing horse shows without permission creates conflict The difference between spectators, hobbyists, and professionals How unauthorized photography impacts working photographers and event organizers What professional etiquette looks like at horse shows Key Takeaways Horse show photography isn’t just about capturing images — it’s about understanding the structure of the event, respecting professional roles, and contributing to an ecosystem that supports photographers, exhibitors, and organizers alike. What might feel harmless in the moment can have real consequences for the people hired to do the job. Topics Covered The role of the official photographer Permission vs. access at horse shows Industry expectations and professional conduct Common misconceptions about photographing events Why this topic continues to come up in the equine photography industry Resources & Related Reading – Read the companion article on The Horse In Focus:Just Showing Up With a Camera: The Ethics of Photographing Horse Shows -Explore more episodes from Equine Photographers Podcast Field Notes About Field Notes Field Notes is a short-form series from the Equine Photographers Podcast focused on real-world topics, industry insights, and conversations that working photographers are having every day. Subscribe The post 27: Field Notes — The Ethics of Photographing Horse Shows: Can You Just Show Up With a Camera? appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Lori McIntosh: How She Built Her Equine Photography Passion from Childhood to Career In this episode, Lori McIntosh shares how a childhood surrounded by photography and horses became the foundation for her equine photography journey — from early studio experiences to endurance riding and professional work today. Whether you’re building your own equine business or exploring your creative roots, Lori’s story shows how passion and persistence shape a meaningful career. SUBSCRIBE IN THIS EPISODE Lori McIntosh’s equine photography story begins long before she ever picked up a camera professionally. Growing up in a photography studio and spending summers at horse camp, Lori built a lifelong connection to both horses and imagery that shaped her creative path. In this episode, she recalls how early studio work taught her the craft, how endurance riding deepened her understanding of horses, and how those elements continue to influence her photographic vision today. Listeners will hear what it’s like to merge a passion for animals with artistic expression, lessons on building a sustainable photography career, and insights into staying connected to the things you love most. Whether you’re an aspiring equine photographer or a long-time creative professional, Lori’s experiences offer both inspiration and practical takeaways for your own journey.   KEY TAKE AWAYS: How Lori’s early life around photography shaped her artistic voice The role equestrian experiences played in her career focus Lessons on building skill through real-world involvement Why balancing passion and professionalism matters What endurance riding taught her about perseverance and creativity About Our Guest: Lori McIntosh Lori McIntosh is an equine photographer based in Auburn, California, whose passion for photography grew up inside her family’s studio and alongside her love of horses. Her work combines technical skill with an unmistakable understanding of the horse–human connection. Connect with Lori: Website: lorimcintoshphotography.com Facebook: facebook.com/LoriMcIntoshPhotography Pinterest: pinterest.com/lorimc26 Email: Lori@Lorimcphoto.com SUBSCRIBE Ready to deepen your own artistic voice? Follow the podcast and explore related episodes below. We invite you to subscribe on iTunes so you never miss a new episode of the Equine Photographers Podcast. Subscribing, rating, and leaving a review helps other photographers discover the show and supports the continued growth of the podcast. If you found this episode valuable, we’d appreciate you taking a moment to leave a rating or review. Subscribe on iTunes → The post 25: Lori McIntosh: Equine Photography Journey from Childhood Passion appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Thanks Kirstie Marie for a great introduction for Matt Cohen. Matt Cohen Rodeo Photography Website: http://www.mattcohenphoto.com Blog: http://www.mattcohenphoto.com/blog/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/1115/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattcohenphoto Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcohenphoto/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmatthewcohen Cody Snow, Red Bluff 2016 SHOW NOTES: Matt describes himself as a city boy. He didn’t really have any exposure to horses at all until he was sent by a local paper to cover a rodeo for one evening. He started his career as a photographer shooting high school sports for several local papers. On that first night at the rodeo, he decided to come back for all three days of the event and was hooked. With high school sports you are just shooting one thing. For example with football, you have about 10 minutes of shooting time spread out over an hour. But, with rodeo you have constant action and there are 4-5 completely different events to shoot. Each event although it involves horses is completely different from the other. This is how Matt describes what intrigued him with rodeo shooting. Bobby Marriott / 926 Sundown of Flying U, Reno 2016 The other thing that makes it a whole lot more fun is that you can get right in there. Between events you can chat with the riders and you have access. With other professional sports you are nowhere near the participants. Even when you are on the side lines, you are 10 to 20 feet from the players. You certainly are not allowed on the field. Everything has horses. Even with the bull riding there are the pick up riders that go in to rope the bulls and get them back in the pens. Social media Matt is on pretty much everything. When he started, he just figured he would put the best pictures out there and figure out how to make some money with it. Facebook seemed to be the key to that as riders were tagged, then their sponsors would see the images and I would make connections with them for additional work. He has 56,000 followers on Instagram, but it does not lead to a lot of business for him. He tends to spend more time on Instagram because he likes the format better. You see more images on Instagram and less “other stuff”. But, Facebook has been the social media that has performed in terms of helping him make the connections. Making money in Rodeo Photography He does not use the old model of shooting with the hopes of the riders wanting images of their rides. He works directly with the rider sponsors and only does a very little bit of selling to riders. Sponsors are looking for outstanding images for promotional purposes. Autograph prints, trailer wraps, bill boards, and other promotional materials. He does nothing on spec. He won’t travel great distances to a rodeo unless he knows that he has several sponsored riders at that event and the pictures are already spoken for. He questions whether the old model is very workable any more. The better riders have been there and done that already and they don’t buy 8 x 10s. It took him a long time to get to where he is today. As editorial diminished, he moved more and more of his business to commercial. It used to be that Sport Illustrated, a cover for example or a two page spread, was a real payday. Now instead of a couple thousand dollars, you are looking at a couple hundred bucks. Now they have laid off all their photographers and they get whatever pictures they can find. Matt said he has seen covers that were out of focus. It’s sad, he said, when he first started there was more in editorial. Blake Hirdes, Marysville 2016 Why a great shot is important Matt explains that in editorial, you are a cost to them. They look for the cheapest solution to their need that they can find. Advertisers, however, need the best possible images and are willing to pay to get those. Getting as close to the end-user, the people who are selling products, is where the you can make a living. JR Vezain / 631 Lil Josey of Flying U, Reno 2016 A sponsor might have 15 guys that ride for them. Another might have three. Each contract is tailored to their needs. He is basically on a retainer with these sponsors and this is what funds his income, his travels, his equipment, hotels and so on. NO FREE PICTURES warning on his website Before someone can click on the contact photographer form, they have to agree that they are NOT GOING TO CALL FOR A FREE IMAGE. This is a waste of time and spending 20 minutes explaining that he is a professional photographer and he gets paid for his work. If someone still calls him and asks for FREE IMAGES for their small publication or whatever they want it for, Matt will tweet out that such and such publication asked for free image and embarrass them. He has a bit of a reputation. He explains that getting a tag line for free images does nothing for you as a photographer. Negotiating from FREE is very difficult to do. Sarah Rose McDonald, Clovis 2016 He shoots rodeo March through September. In the winter he shoots other sports. He spends more time working on his rodeo image sales than he does on the other sports. There is much more action to shoot in rodeo so he spends more time on the images as well. Big Lens Fast Shutter Podcast Him and a partner help people learn sports photography. He has been working on that for about 5 years. He enjoys helping others to improve their work which is gratifying and there is some income stream from it. SUBSCRIBE, Rate and Review: The Equine Photographers Podcast We also encourage your to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes so you never miss an episode. This is also where you can leave a RATING or COMMENT about the episode or the podcast. More comments and ratings helps others find our podcast on iTunes. If you enjoyed the podcast consider leaving a rating and review: Subscribe on iTunes Click HERE Also, please use the SHARE buttons at the bottom of the page to share The Equine Photographers Podcast with other equine photographers that you may know. The post 23 : Matt Cohen: West Coast Rodeo and Sports Photography Behind the Scenes appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Where to Find Christina: Instagram: http://instagram.com/christinascalera Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeatlaw Facebook: http://facebook.com/christinascalera Website: http://christinascalera.com Email: hello@christinascalera.com Periscope: @cscalera You can ask Christina questions here: http://www.christinascalera.com/contact1 Photo by Shelby Rae Photographs Christina is an attorney based in Atlanta GA. NEW? START HERE TRADEMARK REGISTRATION BLOG STORE AFFILIATES SPEAKING CONTACT If you’ve ever complained that you love what you do but HATE the business side of things, you’re in the right spot. Christina’s mission as a lawyer for creative entrepreneurs is to help them fulfill their life’s work by creating beautiful businesses from the inside out. She provides the creative world with accessible, affordable legal solutions. Whether you need a last-minute contract template that covers your butt, a painless trademark registration or want to learn more to empower yourself to run your business well, legally speaking, Christina has you covered. SHOW NOTES: Christina has been a show rider for many years. She loves horses and horse people since she has competed with her arab horse for 19 years. Disclaimer: This is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Here is her official disclaimer from her website: THE CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT ESTABLISH AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. CHRISTINA IS LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN GEORGIA AND FILE FEDERAL TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS FOR CREATIVES ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES. SHOULD YOU NEED LEGAL ADVICE FOR MATTERS THAT DO NOT CONCERN GEORGIA LAW, PLEASE SEEK OUT A LICENSED ATTORNEY. SOME STATES MAY CONSIDER THIS CONTENT ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. How do you get legal advice? What does it mean to “retain” an attorney? What does it mean to “retain” an attorney? How do you get a consultation from an attorney? When calling attorneys look for an attorney that is a “good fit” for you and for your particular needs. For example, a family law attorney may not be helpful to you about setting up your business and registering your images or if you had problems with regard to intellectual property rights. Contracts – When and why do you need a contract? Whenever you are forming a relationship with a person or company, it is appropriate to have a contract describing your relationship. Christina explains that many people do not realize that when someone presents you with a contract, that it can be changed. In fact you need to make changes to make the contract agree with what your relationship will be before you sign it. Don’t think of it as something fixed and not changeable. If you don’t feel comfortable with something, you should change it. Then it is something to negotiate with the other person or company so that it correctly describes the relationship your are joining into. It can also help to define the give-and-take of your relationship with your client. Today contracts are moving toward more common language rather than complicated legalese that is difficult for everyone to understand. You want your agreements and customer education to be easy to understand so that everyone has the same expectation if something should go wrong. If you have it in plain English, then it becomes an effective educational and communication too for you and your client. If you cannot understand something, you should not sign it. Tort Law, indemnification clauses, waiver of liability, and release from liability clauses in agreements You cannot make people sign away their rights to take you to court. But, you can negate the risk of being sued for activities that involve “inherent risk”. You and your client need to be cognizant to the fact that a horse can be unpredictable. You should involve everyone present or participating with the horse/s, not just the horse owner. Everyone there should know that there are inherent risks in what they are doing and if something goes wrong, it is not your responsibility as a professional because they knew going in that there was risk involved. However, if you do things that are obviously negligent, you may invite legal action even if an liability clause is signed. “Statutory language” or quoting of individual state laws can be added to your agreements. This may be different in each state and there are 36 states that have laws about farm animals and professionals regarding the inherent risks associated with being around horses. You cannot protect yourself from being sued for negligent behavior At this point we discuss what might be an example of negligent behavior and the importance of having good communication with your clients. As an equine photographer it would be wise to have knowledge of horse behaviors and cues that horses give before going out with horses in order to help prevent dangerous situations. What are the basics of horse behavior? You can be unique and creative with your photography without being dangerous. Around horses, you and your client are at your own risk in many states. Common language in your contracts and making it easy for your clients Putting your contracts online can make your paperwork less intimidating. So can the use of common language that is clear and precise. Clients can sign agreements online, they just scroll through the information so that it does not seem so long. Rather than the tedious process of sending a PDF of your contract and requiring your client to sign it, then scan it and send it back. Christina likes to use online document services to simplify client contract relationships. She points out that you will need use this type of technology going forward, especially with younger audiences (Millennials) age 30 or younger. They just won’t sign things if it requires too much effort. Streamlining through an online service also makes you look more professional and can be extremely helpful for both you and your client. Here are the two services that she mentions and recommends using. LINK: Honeybook.com LINK: Docusign.com She mentions separating client education from contracts. She recommends that you have educational materials for your clients, but some of this should not be in your contract. For example you would not want to be able to take someone to court because they brought two changes of clothing instead of three. Choice of clothing is more of an educational point than something that has to be legally binding. Stealing of images, Copyright law What to do when someone takes your images without your permission. Photographer credit does not clear you from taking someone’s image without permission. You can register your copyright for an image AFTER you discover that it was taken and published without your permission. You have 90 days from when you “should have known” it was being used. We have a discussion of registration in batches. If you find a possible infringement that you feel is worth pursuing, it can be helpful to register that specific image again with an individual registration. You own the copyright to your images at the point at which it is taken by you and fixed into a permanent form such as clicking your shutter button and recording the image on film or onto digital media. Only the courts can decide if there is an “actual infringement” of your image (this is a legal term that should not be used too loosely. As an attorney, she refers to “alleged infringements” as the judge has to make the final determination). I explain using a “license to use contract” and why this is correct terminology when people “buy” your images. Clarity is important and there can be many misunderstandings about what is being purchased if you are not clear with your licensing agreements. For example if a client want to buy an 8×10 what does that mean? Actually, they are purchasing the rights to one personal display of that image as an 8×10 print. They have not purchased the copyrights of the image to use however they choose unless you sell those to them. In most cases there should be limitations written into your agreements. One great thing to include for example is,” No license to use this image is granted until payment in full is received for the usage described.” What to do when someone steals from you Don’t send an email when you are flaming mad at someone. Christina discusses what you can do. What is the difference between infringement and willful infringement? When might it be worth retaining an attorney regarding stolen or images used without your permission? If you retain an attorney, generally you would want to be able to recapture to attorney costs in your recovery, so typically, if an individual steals your image and places it on their facebook page, it may not be worth involving an attorney. However there are other things that can happen. The Digital Millennial Copyright Act We discuss DMCA Take down and what that means. The Digital Millennial Copyright Act notice makes it so your can have your images removed from people’s websites and Facebook pages if the image is stolen from you or used without your permission. They sometimes will take down an entire Facebook account or website, or they may just take down a few images. But, you also want to suggest they make payment for the image because this is your business. Being calm and firm when talking with people is more effective generally speaking than coming down on someone with all your anger. But, even without an attorney, your request to either remove the image or pay for it can have teeth because of the DMCA. World wide issues – Work for hire – Intellectual Property This podcast is NOT focusing on international copyright law and this does not constitute legal advice. When to have a Model Release question is discussed here Be open and transparent with your clients. You would not want to trick someone into creating images to use in ways they might not want. Nobody should ever be surprised to find their image used somewhere. There are many things to consider with regards to privacy law. You may make some mistakes in your business. Learning from your mistakes is part of the cost of doing business. If you are a photographer, she explains that she does not want you to be afraid of taking pictures. Christina has something for you: Get your free “contract check list” by texting 44222 with the message 16legal in the USA She also has some ready-made turn-key contracts for equine photographers which are available for purchase. You do not need to retain her professional services in order to purchase the contract template for equine photographers. You will typically contract with an attorney in order to get actual legal advice. Most attorneys will provide for a free legal consultation, but will not or should not give legal advice to someone without being retained by them. Email questions if you would like. She doesn’t guarantee that she will answer every question, but you are welcome to send them and she will reply. Photograph by Shelby Rae photographs SUBSCRIBE, Rate and Review: The Equine Photographers Podcast We also encourage your to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes so you never miss an episode. This is also where you can leave a RATING or COMMENT about the episode or the podcast. More comments and ratings helps others find our podcast on iTunes. If you enjoyed the podcast consider leaving a rating and review: Subscribe on iTunes Click HERE Also, please use the SHARE buttons at the bottom of the page to share The Equine Photographers Podcast with other equine photographers that you may know.   The post 21 : Christina Scalera: Legal Essentials Every Equine Photographer Should Know appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

I contacted Jon because I saw some of his farm call images. As I explored his website, I found out that his main gig is Saddle Horse Shows from all over the country. I’ve been wanting to have some interviews with show photographers, so I was delighted when Jon was willing to come on the podcast and tell us about his history with horses and his equine photography business. What makes a great horse show photographer? How do you learn to run a horse show business? These are some of the questions that we answered in today’s podcast with Jon McCarthy of Jon McCarthy Photography. SHOW NOTES: Website: www.jonmccarthyphoto.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jon-McCarthy-Photography John started college as a pre-med major, then discovered horses. Shortly he transferred to William Woods University for an Equine education. It was there that he started to experiment with photography. Jon got the photography bug in College after getting the horse bug He had lots of subject available to photography. Then he started shooting some of the lessons, people working with their horses, etc. This started him on the path toward horse show photography. Learning what was expected from various breeds and disciplines is important This is also when he was able to learn about various breeds and what was needed and expected for “best images” for the breed or discipline. He graduated with a degree in equestrian science with the intention of being a trainer. He got a job at a large Morgan operation. Finding a mentor in the show world He went to show and introduced himself to the top name in Morgan horse show photography. In talking to him, it became clear that this is the direction that he wanted to go in. He was invited to help out with an upcoming show. He was able to work for him on some shows and still to this day he is Jon’s go to person for learning and building his business. Jon started booking some larger shows that were coming in from this mentor when he was unable to take them due to prior bookings etc., he would pass them along to Jon. Jon does about 26 shows a year at this time. Ideal shows are 100 head or more. Shows used to be huge, but now many shows are multi-breed formats in order to bring in enough horses. Where before there might be hundreds of Morgans, now there might be 60 head Morgans, 30 Saddlebred, and then additional horses of various other breeds. Reflecting back, his first year he didn’t feel the quality of his images (getting the right shots and timing) was very good. After working with his mentor and shooting at those shows and getting trained and feedback from this great mentor, he improved greatly and was able to get out on his own much better. He still has shows that he does with this mentor every year. They talk business and images and work together to get the best possible products (best images out there) for their show participants. Jon McCarthy Photography is set up for people to make selections at the shows, but he does not do actual printing at most of the shows he works. There is just too much work getting the images and preparing them so people can make selections. He does all the printing and culling and post production himself. His trailer has selection stations (computers) and he has someone there to help in the process of placing orders while he is out shooting. Between classes, they upload and prepare the images for viewing. Why does Jon LOVE doing horse show photography? What makes horse show photography a fun business for you , Jon? He loves the relationships he develops with people all over the country. He loves traveling across the country and exploring. He gets to see so much of the country because of his business and they go on excursions to beautiful places when they have time. He discusses what it takes to make a living at horse show photography. We talk about his prices and what consumers are purchasing. We discussed publications and dealing with deadlines which is a major part of Saddle horse show photography. Recent changes with the popularity of Facebook were discussed along with meeting the needs and desires of his customers. Digital files for ad requests are uploaded directly to the advertising department of the publications in most cases. We are constantly battling the clock to get adjust and upload the images needed for promotional advertising from these shows, he explains. SALES Jon McCarthy Photography has print packages, digital uploads for advertising, and Facebook image digital low resolution web files which are very popular right now. He tries to maintain a 4 week turn around on print production and people who want the Facebook files, of course want them ASAP. Jon also works with his customers who have quick turn-around deadlines that have to be met to satisfy their urgent needs. He does not like to send things off for printing or sub things out and because he wants to see everything before it goes out and he likes having the control. He mentioned that in some cases he may print an image two or three times before it is perfect for his customer and it can be shipped out. The print packages include Facebook files, but many now just buy the Facebook prepped digital files because the love to SHARE from their recent show participation. Social media is substantial and is a significant part of his mix of services and products. We had a discussion about the people shooting over the rail and how it affects the OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER at shows these days. How do you tell a parent they cannot take pictures of their kid riding in a show? He explained that although he knows some show photographers who have been hit hard with lower sales and they attribute this to over the rail shooters, in his business with publication deadlines and other quick turn needs, he still does well with his shows. Prints account for 30% of what he sells at the shows. 45% of the sales are high res files for publications and commercial use and the rest are low resolution digital files for sharing on social media. Farm Call Sessions Jon tells us about his farm call sessions. He puts out his schedule and people will call and fill in his schedule from time to time with farm sessions in transit or between show commitments. He has a six-horse minimum, but if he is in the area there is no trip charge and travel expenses associated with the farm session. What would you tell someone who wants to do horse show photography? Jon recommends that you go out and find someone to who will allow you to work for them. Learn your timing and the ins and outs of the business from someone who is successfully doing the business. Learn the specifics of shooting various breeds and disciplines . It’s important to meet or beat your customer expectations and each breed and discipline has different expectations. SUBSCRIBE, Rate and Review: The Equine Photographers Podcast We also encourage your to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes so you never miss an episode. This is also where you can leave a RATING or COMMENT about the episode or the podcast. More comments and ratings helps others find our podcast on iTunes. If you enjoyed the podcast consider leaving a rating and review: Subscribe on iTunes Click HERE Also, please use the SHARE buttons at the bottom of the page to share The Equine Photographers Podcast with other equine photographers that you may know.   The post 19 : Jon McCarthy — Saddle Horse Show Photography & Learning From the Best appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Where did Tony Stromberg come from to get to where he is now? This is from the About Tony on his website and I would encourage you to go over and read more as this is only the first couple of paragraphs describing his journey. After successfully spending over 20 years as a high-end advertising photographer in San Francisco, I found myself disenchanted, burned out, and ultimately receiving no nourishment from the work I was doing. On the outside, I had everything anyone would want, but my inner landscape was barren and I began “searching” for my lost spirit. When horses came into my life in the mid-1990’s, I realized that I had found my teachers, and the connection that I have developed with horses has helped steer my life in a completely different direction. Horses have taught me so much in the time that I have spent with them. They have taught me about the power of authenticity, honestly, and integrity, and they have taught me the true meaning of leadership and relationship. They have also taught me about living in collaboration and community, rather than the model that our society embodies, which is about competition and “getting ahead of the rest”. In my interview with Tony we go from where he was to where he is now. Horses continue to take him to better places where he has rediscovered things that he had lost in the competitive rush of being everything to everybody as a commercial photographer. Finding horses probably saved him. I hope you will come and enjoy my interview with one of the top 10 equine photographers in the world. SHOW NOTES His website: http://tonystromberg.com His Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TonyStrombergPhotography When I talked with Tony he had 799,900 Likes on Facebook. In the last two weeks it is now well over 808,000 likes. By the time you hear this it may reach 1 million for all I know. People are captivated by his powerful images and want to see more. Listen to hear how this came to be along with the frustrations and benefits of social media. 60 degrees in February in New Mexico (We started with just a little small talk) Tony started in photography as a commercial advertising photographer in California For 20+ years Tony had a very successful advertising photography career starting in his 20s. He describes the variety of work he did so successfully during that period. But, it took him down a path where he was losing himself and dealing with depression and despair. He could just about do any photography project for anyone, but there was something missing for him. At that point he didn’t know the difference between a horse and cow, he said. He was invited by a friend to visit some horses and he started shooting horses as a hobby. He would go and shoot and find a little piece of himself every time. How did he start into equine photography as a business? In commercial photography he was spending 20 percent of his time taking pictures and 80 percent was marketing, showing his portfolio and beating the pavement to get in front of important clients. In equine photography it was the other way around. 20 percent of the time is marketing and 80 percent is shooting. He decided to completely close up shop for his California commercial & advertising photography business and started up anew in New Mexico where he had lived for a time in the past. For a while he did some architectural photography for builders in the area, but soon focused only on horses. He describes how his first horse book came about. Someone was intrigued with his work and introduced him to her publisher. It was amazing that he walked in with his portfolio and walked out with a book deal. Sales continue with that book through the book distributer. After the book he started with a calendar company as well and has been doing those for about 10 year now. From there he got with a poster company and that produced some income for the business. All this was getting him noticed in the equine and photography world and people started asking him about doing equine photography workshops. His first low-key workshop was in Santa Fe. He got his feet wet and really enjoyed it so he has been expanding from there. Now he is doing workshops all over the world. This now represents 80 percent of his income from equine photography. He limits his workshops to 10-12 people and they are for 5 days to a week. He likes keeping them smaller and limits the size of the workshops to be able to offer a better experience to the participants. We breifly talk about the costs in general terms for the participants of his workshops both domestic and over seas . He has people of all ability levels from hobbyists to established pros attending his workshops. http://tonystromberg.com/workshops/ What does a workshop look like? We have a discussion of how the workshops go. He keeps them relaxed and low key so people are not burned out at the end of the week. He sets up one major shoot each day. They have breakfast together and work on their images in the afternoons. What about Stock photography? Tony ALMOST signed with a stock agency, but backed out of that deal and never pursued it after that. He had sent out a note to several photographers and found that it might have trapped his images for several years and then not worked out that well anyway. Many photographers have tied up their entire portfolios and been hurt by stock photography agencies. He has done some stock work, but very limited and nothing that would tie up his images in an agency. Art prints and galleries Tony has worked with various galleries over the years, but now he only has his work with one gallery. Right now he just had his website completely redesigned to sell fine art prints and his workshops. It is quite beautiful and very easy to navigate by my estimation. He has no idea how this is going to work out at this time. As we spoke he mentioned that he will be announcing the new website on his Facebook page in the next day or two. The website builder need just a couple more days to tweak a few things before he should put it out there. 799,900 LIKES Believe it or not Tony has only been on Facebook for about 3 years. He started with a paid ad, “LIKE Photography, Like Horses? Click here” or something like that he said. At one point he hired a group for a little while and things were moving along nicely so he stopped that. Then it started to take off on its own. At one point it was growing at almost 10,000 likes per week. He tries to share something on Facebook and social media every week. It might be a pictures from a recent workshop or it might even be a group shot of the photographers who participated. Sometimes he will post something for several days in a row. He water marks his images, but he knows that a lot of images are being stolen and used everywhere. His biggest complaint is artists who paint from his images without permission and then selling his intellectual property as if it was their own creativity. He gets 2-3 or more emails and calls DAILY from artists asking if they can paint from his images. He tells them that he does not do that, but he sees his images everywhere as paintings and drawings for sale. They are in too many place to be able to effectively do anything about it which of course is one of the major frustrations of the internet and social media for an artist today. Frustrations with social media and benefits He has mentioned his books around Christmas and he expected to see a big bump in sales, but it was surprising it did not increase as much as he would have expected. We discussed how Facebook has changed and how just a couple of years ago when he had far fewer LIKES, he would get exposure to much greater numbers of people. Now, even with over 800,000+ likes some posts get exposure to only 10,000 or 20,000 people. He gets a lot of his workshops booked and noted that through the Facebook page and he also gets lots of comments (200 or 300 comments with each photograph posted sometimes). It’s gratifying to him that so many people love his images and tell him so. A Little Facebook trick If you put a LINK in the post then the number of people who will see it cuts way down. It could be 1/10th what you might get from posting a pictures alone, but if he posts a picture then puts a link in the comments it reaches many more people. Facebook wants their money for you to post links. This is just one little trick he discovered recently. Being with horses has mirrored back to him and taught him and helped him grow as a person. In the advertising work, he had lost touch who he was, and horses have helped him to find himself. Tony owns 4 horses. He rides a very little bit. He wife also rides a little bit. He sees his horses as more like family members and likes to “hang out” with them. Thanks Tony for letting me interview you about your work. I much appreciate being able to talk with you and share this with the listeners here at the Equine Photographers Podcast. Top ten equine photographers in the world Oh Wait, I called him back to ask about being listed as one of the top ten equine photographers in the world. He was noted first in the list in the post on a website called Topteny and the congratulations started pouring in. It made his day when he found out about it and when the comments started rolling in on Facebook, in emails, and so on…. 300 or 400 comments in the first day or so. He really did not know much about how this selection of the top ten equine photographers in the world came to be and how he or the other photographers listed were judged, but it was fun none the less. http://www.topteny.com/top-10-best-equine-photographers-in-the-world/ Tony’s new book Because of the journey that horses have helped him with in his mind and soul, he has collaborated with people who work with horses as a therapy for people. Look for Tony’s new book, “Horse Medicine”. SUBSCRIBE, Rate and Review: The Equine Photographers Podcast We also encourage your to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes so you never miss an episode. This is also where you can leave a RATING or COMMENT about the episode or the podcast. More comments and ratings helps others find our podcast on iTunes. If you enjoyed the podcast consider leaving a rating and review: Subscribe on iTunes Click HERE Also, please use the SHARE buttons at the bottom of the page to share The Equine Photographers Podcast with other equine photographers that you may know. Thanks from your host Peter DeMott. The post 16 : Tony Stromberg: Spirit Horses, Visual Storytelling, and Building an 800,000-Follower Facebook Audience appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Lynne is a California-based equine sport, ranch, portrait, pets and livestock photographer for both personal and commercial clients. Lynne is pictured third from the left in the above image. SHOW NOTES Website: http://www.photo.lynnesite.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynne-Glazer-Imagery/42216687604 I’ve known Lynne for many years. She is a talented and very technically particular photographer. What I mean is that she never fudges getting the images right in the camera and on post processing to create the best possible image for her clients. Because of this she has done all sorts of both personal and commercial photography, but for today’s interview we spend a lot of time discussing her endurance ride photography including covering the internationally known Tevis endurance ride which is a point to point 100 mile trail event which occurs every year in California. Lynne has been horse crazy as long as she can remember, but she got her first horse at 31 years old. He was an older horse, but she was able to enjoy him for quite a few years. In 2003 started shooting endurance rides. She also had a desktop technology support business for media companies as a freelancer, so she knew how to run a business before getting into the business of photography. She also had a lot of knowledge about using technology proficiently for her photography business although later in the interview she explains that she hates to blog which she knows would increase her visibility as a photography business. Now she works with an aerospace engineering company in areas of technology that you and I would not have a clue about. She can work remotely and on the schedule she chooses which is usually at night. It’s just what she likes to do. That also leaves her time during the day for photography and enjoying her horse. How does Lynne describe her business today? She does events, farm and ranch photography along with her endurance ride photography and a smattering of other things. She says she does family photography with “critters”. She used to do a lot of editorial photography, but does a lot less now. She still shoots for Arabian Horse World. She also did stock photography profitably for many years, but doesn’t do much with that any more. How long did it take her to move into professional photography? She was able to bring herself to professional status almost instantly because of her understanding of running a business and her technology background. Knowing Lynne, she is one that I would never have to say, “read your camera manual”, since she does technical writing and also probably has it completely memorized. She has done a lot of things over the years like horse shows, kids rodeos, also 2nd camera for Cristy Cumbersworth for her contracted events. Second shooting can be nice because you just hand over the images and the lead photographer takes it from there. Lynne did a lot of work for Cavalia, the horse stage show performances for 10 years. This was a very difficult challenge due to low light. We discussed some of the challenges she faced. They would fly her to their show locations for shoots they needed. Back to endurance riding and endurance ride photography She is currently bringing along a 6-year-old horse for her own endurance riding. She is bowing out of endurance ride photography somewhat so she can ride endurance. She wants good images of herself riding endurance. She wants to encourage other photographers to come up and photograph these events and learn to do it well so she can buy images as keepsakes for rides where she is a participant. The challenge is trying to capture images that will both look great and at the same time identify the ride that they are participating in. This is what makes the images eminently buyable. Making the images interesting and memorable can be challenging in California high desert, so finding the right place with the right light is important. It’s not just taking pictures of everyone. We discuss some how to photograph trail events like this. Finding a place where the 25 mile and the 50 mile riders will both pass by is important, then moving to another point later in the event in order to get an additional opportunity to shoot all the riders. How does the business of endurance ride photography work out for her? The rides she photographs out in California are usually 100+ riders. The average orders for prints is $45.00 which is 3 4×6 prints at $15.00 each. With an 8×10 or larger she includes a digital file for Facebook sharing. Rather than run off and have the images made quickly, she post processes, crops, color corrects the images for very good keepsake image quality. Even though it seems that you can make more selling on site at the event, she likes being able to shoot longer and not having to run off to cull and quickly print out images for sale. People know they will have high quality prints from her business model. She uses Facebook endurance groups and pages to promote the availability of event albums to purchase from. Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) is the sponsoring organization for the TEVIS endurance ride and she provides a lot of photography for them from this event. We again have a discussion of the TEVIS endurance ride. Vet checks protect the horses throughout the ride. At the end if the horse is not fit to continue, then the horse is pulled and does not complete. This protects horses from being overextended. It is about knowing and training your horse not just pushing performance. She travels around the USA shooting various equine clients, not just endurance. We have a discussion of using Facebook. Lynne uses her cell phone to create slice of life images and people seem to enjoy this. She has a much stronger following of her personal profile page vs. her business page. SUBSCRIBE, Rate and Review: The Equine Photographers Podcast We also encourage your to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes so you never miss an episode. This is also where you can leave a RATING or COMMENT about the episode or the podcast. More comments and ratings helps others find our podcast on iTunes. If you enjoyed the podcast consider leaving a rating and review: Subscribe on iTunes Click HERE       The post 14 : Lynne Glazer: Endurance Ride Photography and Storytelling Beyond the Finish Line appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

Terri Cage is a portrait and equine photographer specializing in senior portraits, show promotion photography, and farm family portraits with animals. Please join us to listen as she explains her business and her life with horses. SHOW NOTES Website: http://www.terricage-photography.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TerriCagePhotography/ Horse crazy kid at 10 years old for my first horse. Her dad got her a camera and he was a photographer actually. She did some barrel racing as she got a little older. As she had children, then now are showing. Started photography business in 2009. Uses studio sometimes for some portraits, dogs, to promote and for selection sessions. Main clientele is horse people. She does weddings from time to time. Shows 5% (networking through the shows with a booth showing portrait work) Majority of work is seniors and promotion for shows, some studio, some lifestyle, but a lot of images for client horse or rider western show promotion. Equine Chronicle and others. The magazines are mailed free to all carded judges and they are free at the shows. Gigi looks at her website and comments about how beautiful it is. Temp was 105 degrees at time of interview and is planning some mini session in studio. The studio is only 8 months old. Plans to stick it out for a year or two to see how it turns out. She sees the studio as promotional also. She also has a retail storefront with framed art work, canvases, boxes and cups etc. Marketing – Advertising – Networking Marketing – What else do you do besides Facebook Page. She mails out some postcards several times per year. Sends to farms and sends to seniors in the area. They are small mailings of 200 to 400 at a time. Spends about a day a week on Facebook and schedules posts, but with Instagram you have to actual do it when you want it to post. Instasize App for sizing photos for Instagram. Shoots some dressage shows which have many different breeds represented. Took a workshop with Scott Trees for Arabians, to learn the breed better. Makes sure that whatever she sends out is appropriate for the breeds represented. Does some marketing through Instagram and this is where the kids are. You have to be there. With Instagram, you will be seen. It’s not that way any more on Facebook. Hashtags not like “senior portraits” because teens will not be looking for that. When I go to someone’s ranch, usually will be there for several hours to provide a variety of images for promotion. Pricing is discussed depending on if she is visiting a stable with 3-4 riders at one session time. Sells Facebook images, high res files for the promotional ads, and various other prints. Grand parents still want wallets. Age 14-18 competitive riders. Spring amateurs, fall stallion promotions. Sometimes travels long distances and stays in guest house or client pays hotel fees. Works with trainers in the ad development. “We have 4 people to do”. For these I have to please the trainer more than I have to please the client. The difficulty of draught and increased costs affects the small horse people. For a while, we were paying 3X for hay. Focus on Niche’ is important Keep a focus on equine to reach these clients. Most of her work is niche’ equine and sometimes she gets other work, but many of those jobs come through people who know her through her equine work. My senior work started with horses. Now I have all kinds of seniors… motorcycles, not just horses now. Big family portraits in fall for Christmas… that’s the only time I shoot families in general. General Shooting schedule for year Spring – shoot for summer World shows Amateurs – shoot in summer – age 19 and above – Fall shows Families – fall shooting Workshops is also something she does for her business. Two days for around $500. Show promotion photography Western lifestyle photography SUBSCRIBE, Rate and Review: The Equine Photographers Podcast We also encourage your to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes so you never miss an episode. This is also where you can leave a RATING or COMMENT about the episode or the podcast. More comments and ratings helps others find our podcast on iTunes. If you enjoyed the podcast consider leaving a rating and review: Subscribe on iTunes Click HERE The post 12 : Terri Cage: Equine Portraiture and Visual Storytelling in Texas Horse Country appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.