first USDF show down, success!

The weekend was a blast with a very well run show -- tiring to take photos but I know all those tests now, that's for certain! When to take photos, how to capture, dealing with light, etc etc.

There's a bit of culling to do but not too much post-processing if any, which is a huge relief. Then uploading! This time I remembered to shoot RAW+JPG basic so at least I can do easy uploads and replace any that are purchased later on. Just have to remember to do that ....


The judge had some good ideas, including submitting a mini article and a few photos to CoTH for publication, especially as it was Promontory's first show. Huh. Never thought of that, but good idea all around! I'll have to pick out a few favorites (if that's possible, there's a LOT of good ones in there, yay!) to do that first.

There's no Utah 'rags' like Riding back in California, just our newsletters. Adrianna will handle UDS, not sure about RMDS. I'll find some that will look good in B+W and do the conversions myself. No one else seems to have a blood clue it seems.

So a bit of work to do, but not too too much. No more photography for a week and a half, but the Equine Photography class with EPNet is starting up, so I'll see what I can get from that, if anything. I presume so but it's a 'basics' class .... if anything, it'll get me out shooting more.

Things are looking good !

the 'art' in an event

Having spent the day shooting my first USDF rated show today (rinse, repeat for tomorrow) I realized that one thing I miss about the 'event photography' of horse shows is well, the photography.

There's really not that much art in it, is there? Well, yes I know the tests and plan the sections to photograph and which moments to capture and where the sun is at (or not at when it decided to rain...), eye on my ISO and aperture while dealing with bright sun to thunderstorms and moving myself around the outside of the arena to get the best shots.

But the ART of photography, the creativity ... it's just not there for me. I can do both at weddings, but somehow at a horse show it is ALL about 'the moment' and once captured I sit there hoisting my camera (heavy sucker, but I don't tripod/monpod for dressage) against my shoulder wondering what else I could be doing.

ok ok so I'm good at getting headshots while they go flying by and have gotten good orders from those alone, but there's something missing. Maybe if more of the prep and hanging out were done in view of where I stood I'd shoot that, but it's done in the barn and it's very much bam-bam-bam, test after test without much time to wander and just snap horses.

onward! with success

Photo orders are coming in from the dressage schooling show about two weeks ago. Alas, a migraine and a week of showing delayed the upload by a week *cringe*. I'd never plan on such a delay, but such it was.

First USDF rated show this weekend!! Quite excited and the photos from two weeks ago show I can get those 'moments' that pay off, literally. Both the D3 and D200 did admirably well, although I swapped lenses around as it got darker into the evening. Hopefully this show will run on time.

AND I will wear sunblock this time! heh.

Design wise, I've a simple but eye catching 1/2 page ad to put together for the program. I picked up the 3rd edition of the Non-Designer's Design Book to get some basic concept (back) into my head for this so it's at least semi respectable. 24 hours to do it, wish me luck.



And then two very long days -- but only one arena (thankfully!). I've some early morning shots I want to get in the soft light with requests to get more candids and such around the barn between rides. I enjoy those the most, as it keeps the creativity going between the tests.

Also confirmation of helping out with cross country photos at the local USEA event in mid/end June so that'll be a blast for me. Much fun in all forms, plus it's CROSS COUNTRY! So aside from when I'm tacking up/riding/cooling out, I'll be out there clicking away and getting to watch all the fun at least in my area of the course.

Reading continues with a very adventerous pattern study while back in California. Lots of photos to go through, but the orders and Ad are first, then my own stuff.

And Sirens? will be Awesome :D

Business Models and giving away for 'free'

This was an USDF teaching clinic for lunging assessments as well as lunging riders (that part is today, which I have to miss). Intriguing to learn about although photos of horses going around and around and around and around and …. Lots of circles, ok? I tried to be as inventive as I possibly could, but it definitely took a toll on the mental boredom (and sleep deprivation) after awhile.

I'm still working on my pricing model and business model, but these clinics are difficult -- the demand for photos is low and I'm much more interested in getting traffic TO my website. I have photos that I'm not even sure some people are aware of. With such a small horse community, it's easy to eventually get photos of nearly everyone -- but you have to GET them to come visit.

There's a good hack to change the 'buy' button into a download button for the website. I'd love to have both though -- download abilities for smaller versions (with watermarks) and purchasing larger ones. Alas, the hack *changes* the button from one to the other, and I'd prefer to do both. So for now, downloads are limited to right-clicking on images and making sure that they are available (although limited in size).

These clinics also make me think of the Siren's conference. For whatever reason, my mind skipped over to the topics of website traffic flow, costs, etc. I think a very similar model to the clinics but with a provision that 50% of any 'profit' from photography sales goes back to the Siren's folk (since they ARE non profit and therefore this will help them put on next years conference). Which also makes me think that perhaps I should get some business cards together JUST for the conference. Especially if I can get a card or flyer (or postcard size) into the registration package for the attendees (limited to 600). Hmm. In this case I just want my efforts to be appreciated by all who attend. Sales are so very secondary.

a solid start

It's been almost a year since I first launched http://www.catspawphotos.com

While I've taken the business side of things seriously, I'm taking more and more of the photography and networking even more seriously. To say the least, this is not the way I ever expected to use my business degree, but it's one I rather like. I can be a business and photography geek all at once. Perfect!

Digital Grin (aka DGrin) is where I primarily hang out online, although I have also recently been directed to a network of equine photographers. Alas, they don't consider you a pro unless you've been in business for two years. Give me time then, I'll definitely be there.

Am I going anywhere? not any time soon! While this might have been a weekend hobby to start, it has grown into much much more. I am a horseback rider as well as photographer, so juggling both aspects of my equine life is always a challenge.

Depending on bookings and shows, every weekend in June, July, August and September is booked. That business is growing is an understatement! My next challenge will be tackling my own organization.... and doing taxes.

With the new D3 and the used D300 I picked up, plus getting into lighting (SB-900, monopod for light on a stick, etc), I find myself almost literally juggling lenses and accessories. Setting this up in a way that lets me grab the items I need for a shoot (and not forget anything behind) will definitely be the next priority.

Next week: San Diego with friends
Weekend after: USDF instructors lunging clinic at Promontory Equestrian Center, Park City UT