The 2022 Western Lifestyle and rodeo workshop was a huge success this year.Students from all over the US brought a great, diverse energy to the group that created a amazing synergy of photography passion. Starting the class off with a bang, we set up a authentic Chuckwagon on the hill at NRS event center in Decatur, Texas. The models you see in the images were not pro models but with their authenticity they could easily pass. Little backstory: we originally had a pro chuck wagon cook set up to cook both dinner and breakfast sunrise and sunset two days before the event, he messes up a nerve in his neck and had to cancel. God works in mysterious ways. a major negative in our class became a very positive one in the fact that Please Grove Cowboy church stepped up with their chuckwagon team, moved it to location within hours of the call, Thanks Tracy.Then there was senior pastor Brandon [ “Randy,” so sorry about that sir! ] Blasingame who stepped up as model along with Eric to create a authentic sunset chuckwagon sunset shoot.

 

Next Morning was a early breakfast, review images and off to see Jim Bob at Nine Bar Ranch in Decatur, Texas. Can’t say enough about this group of cowboys and cowgirls, the class said ‘we can’t believe how real these guys pose, its like they pose for a living. ” My response is, ” it’s natural because they do it everyday, I mean they live the cowboy way. ”

Upon arrival the guys have to go gather the cows and calves in another pasture and bring to branding pen, this was a treat in itself just watching the herd being brought in in this amazing background of rolling hills and pastures. Once in the pen and calves separated from cows, the work begins, branding, neutering, and vaccination. I had class rotate in and out of the pen to get up close and personal with a wide angle.

After the work, it was time for a Portrait shoot with the Wranglers, bring to capture that Grit and look of the working cowboy!

Now my favorite

part, a home cooked meal by Kristy Little with the whole crew in the lodge Cantina, thanks so much Kristy!

Next Was personal portraits of NFR qualifier Clint Cooper. Clint had set up a group of guys to rope out at 2D ranch in Springtown, Texas, so being a classy open arena the students were able to get another view of shooting rodeo or at least Team roping.Cheyenne and Kerri, owners of the ranch, welcomed us into their world and shared their way of life with the students.

Clint growing up in the roping industry, being the son of the “ super looper, Roy Cooper ” started modeling at a early age for such companies as Wrangler and Cinch, so being told over and over how to pose and move, he makes for the Natural cowboy model. With his casual carefree attitude, he was a immediate hit with the student!

After finishing the day at the ranch, we all loaded up in the van and headed for ” rooster’s “ a amazing place on Decatur Main Street. I loved this part of class, getting to know everyone on a personal level and share stories, the class really opened up after dinner and had that synergy I was looking for.

Next morning was class time, reviewing images and talking about the days shoot at the North Texas High school rodeo.The students used the tools they had learned all week about shooting in Low light, contrasty light, both available light and strobes. So when you have 13 people running around with cameras, it can get pretty hectic. I choose not to shoot and be available for questions settings and safety and placement of the students. Lisa teaches by shooting minimally just to show the different angles, also answering specific questions about each event in a more one on one scenario. Here’s a few of her Images while at the rodeo.

After a long day, back in class was the Lightroom and Photo mechanic editing class after a catered Mexican food dinner, At this point everyone was just ready for a nap, including me!

Sunday morning, Last day of the workshop. Meet for a early Breakfast and review images from previous day, get ready for the last shoot with Jason Terrell of Diamond J Stockdogs. Jason is a total master at his craft of trying stock dogs to herd cattle, to watch this guy work his animals is like poetry in motion. The students absolutely ate this up and seemed to blend and flow with the scene very well, asking questions when the opportunity was available. On this joint I teach by shooting it just as I would on assignment so the students can mimic my actions to capture the angle they need. First half of shoot, I am relatively quit and second half I offer advise both to class and individuals, no longer shooting, just watching students and instructing.

Lastley, Back to class for final image review and to vote on the book cover.Congrats to Monty McCormick for winning the Top Shot Buckle and the cover of the 2022 western lifestyle Workshop book!

So many thanks to all the students who attended this year and the people that made this years class the beat yet. Special shout out to Sonny and Kinzee at NRS event Center for going above and beyond all of our needs to add a special something to class., and a special thanks to NRS Ranch and event center for hosting our class Huge shoutout to Branden Blasingame with Pleasant Grove Cowboy Church for providing models and helping out with the Chuck wagon. Many thanks to Clint Cooper for tolerating us. Huge shoutout to North Texas High School rodeo association for allowing us to come out and bring our herd to practice their action shooting skills. Thanks to the one and only Jason Terrell for bringing his craft to NRS.

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