2013 has been a great year and I am glad to have taken photographs to remember it. My daughter recently asked me how many I thought I took this year, so it made me wonder myself. I looked at my SmugMug account and I have a little over 200,000 images saved on there. However, I have had the account for several years, so I know many are not from this year. Nonetheless, though the amount I add increases every year, I am sure many are from this year. But I also became more selective about what I saved, as not all images make the cut to be uploaded.
I went through my calender to see how many equestrian events at which I was either the official photographer or worked for the official photographer. Each day of equestrian events will average around 1,500 images. Equestrian events are probably the only events for which I upload almost all images.
Weddings, portrait session, ranch calls, commercial photos, and my own personal photos are where I cull many of the images and just the best make the cut. I shot several weddings and was the second shooter for even more; there is another 500-1000 per wedding. All other sessions average around 100/hour. I took many trips this year that were planned with photography in mind. I gave a couple photography workshop and attended a few as well. Then there is "my practice sessions" where I find volunteers to try new ideas or just to practice. Should I count the photos taken with my iPhone?
I am guessing I took close to 100,000 images this year, so it was hard choosing some of my favorites. Obviously, I will post my favorites on my social media and web pages, so I tried not to repeat them here. Some I did, though, as they had special meaning or are my absolute favorites.
What made the list? I love when an owner celebrates a job well-done or just a quick show of admiration with their horse and the moments when they think I am not watching. Also, there are a few outtakes, behind-the-scenes photos, and many photos from my travels this year. What you will not see much of is images from portrait sessions and ranch calls, as many have already been posted elsewhere. Nor will any wedding images be posted, as they have already been posted and blogged. I did two sessions this year that were very significant to me. In fact, they where the hardest sessions I have ever done, in terms of holding back the tears. Big milestones in my life: one was senior photos for my youngest daughter and an engagement session for my oldest daughter.
Life takes you places; photos help you bring back the memories so you can live, laugh, and cry.
These are listed in no particular order, just left them how they loaded.
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| From the Chilsom Challenge, an exhibitor shares her win with her horse |
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| Another celebration from an exhibitor. |
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| During a break at Remember Me Rescue's Battle of the X's event, the crowd had some entertainment. Amazing how a dog, a small boy, and a water bottle kept 100's entertained. |
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| My first newborn session. Thanks to my friend Natalie for allowing me to try on her sweet baby. |
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| Kind words of encouragement and a little pat go a long way. |
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| October always brings costume contests and superheroes |
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| I have learned that a close-up head shot of a fast moving horse is very difficult. I am not quite there yet, but trying |
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| A boy and his horse, need I say more |
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| Same with a little girl and her horse. |
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| One of my more favorites of the year. While doing a liberty shoot, he stopped in front of the barn and had this look. I was worried about the background, UNTIL I looked at the back of my camera. |
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| I really think they were talking to each other |
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| A pat for a job well-done. I have to admire this rider for staying in full attire. It was well over 100 this day and the humidity wasn't fun either |
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| Pure admiration! |
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| These two boxers where very comical. They were well-behaved during the show, but at the end of the show every day, the owner would turn them loose in the arena (no horses present) and all the bundled up energy was let loose. |
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| I do like buckskins, especially those who give 100% |
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| During morning works at Santa Anita, I noticed the person next to me had on interesting gloves.....it was Halloween after all. |
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| The sunrises at Santa Anita gave some great light. |
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| Game On Dude had a big personality and would pass the crowd and look at everyone individually for any sign of treats. |
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| Its not easy sometimes and takes several to get ears up. This horse was great by standing quietly and not trying to eat the grass, but was rather broke and took a few tricks to get the ears up |
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| While walking to the spot for a group portrait, they all joined hands and it made the perfect picture for a group. |
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| Game On Dude |
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| Nothing more contagious than a giggling child |
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| Morning works at the 2013 Breeders Cup |
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| Who doesn't like a silhouette especially with a tall horse and an owner that adores him! |
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| The horse's initials not the owner ! |
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| Who hasn't taken a photo of wind turbines. These are located west of Amarillo and it was cold that day! |
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| The very popular Cadilac Ranch also west of Amarillo. It was very crowded and I stood in this spot for several long minutes (it was cold) until the right moment when no one was in the shot. |
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| A very large bison in Yellowstone Park. I was very excited to see him, as we where headed out of the park and I was afraid I would not see one. |
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| A young horse at the Kiger BLM in Oregon. Know for having mostly duns. |
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| The flys where huge and made some painful bites, but this trio stood in a triangle formation to use each others tails to keep the flys off their faces. Taken at Mccullough Peaks BLM. |
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| Somewhere in Southwest Oregon. Had no phone service for hours....was kind of nice. |
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| Lower Falls in Yellowstone Canyon. |
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| A very curious pronghorn. We saw him several times as we drove around looking for wild horses. Most of the pronghorns would move away from us, but this one watched us as we drove by. Taken at Mccullough Peaks BLM. |
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| Steam from one of the geysers at Yellowstone National Park. |
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| The colors in this geyser were so vibrant. |
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| Gold and platinum records at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. This wall was several stories tall. |
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| After a long day of modeling, sometimes the music in their head takes over. |
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| Awww cute! |
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| Awww double cute |
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| Some of the models from one of "my practice sessions" |
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| Yes, I like silhouettes. |
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| From an extreme trail course |
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| On our trip to Kentucky, we went to Keeneland every morning to watch the workouts. Beautiful track! |
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| Took tons of photos at Keenland |
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| More from Keenland. |
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| She is leading $14,200,000: Havre De Grace on the left and Plum Pretty on the right |
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| Bought a fog machine this year, I really need to use it more in 2014. |
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| While in Kentucky, we visited Spanky, who was rescued by Remember Me Rescue. Last time I saw him he had horrible rain rot and was very thin. Such a Cinderella story. Read about him here. |
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| Algorithms standing in front of the iconic yellow doors at Claiborne Farm |
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| If you haven't ever watch mutton busting, do. Tough little kids! |
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| A son and his 90-year-old mother. He loves his tractor and she loves her lawn mower! |
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| Tapit at Gainesway. He knows he's special. |
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| Tapit again. I think he is pretty special, too. |
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| Tapizar. He was one of nicest looking horses on the track and still is. |
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| Creator at Old Friends |
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| Special Ring at Old Friends. He does this on command. |
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| While in Kentucky, we would drive around every evening looking at all the horse farms and saw some beautiful scenery. |
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| A pony horse at Lone Star Park that belonged to a good friend. He had her trained to give him treats. |
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| Master Rick after winning the Lone Star Handicap and his very happy jockey |
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| As much as I like silhouettes, I like reflections just as much. |
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| Did I win those? I'd rather have food. |
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| There are such creative people out there! |
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| A Friesian and his happy owner. Don;t forget to smile while showing, |
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| Taken at the North Texas Equine Photography Workshop. We did a barn doorway session |
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| Someone wanted the attention! |
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| I was once told Friesians were very photo worthy. I have to agree. |
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| Several Gyspy horses turned out in a pasture for the fist time made some great photo ops for the North Texas Equine Photography Workshop |
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| One happy mare! |
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| Gotta love the babies! |
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| We went to a Fasig-Tipton sale in Kentucky and looked at a lot of nice yearlings that were way out of my price range. But it was fun. |
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| A dog costume contest at a show that benefited Wounded Warriors. |
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| That red barn background again :-) |
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| Of all the beautiful barns in Kentucky, this one was my favorite. |
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| Some more beautiful scenery in Kentucky |
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| Cold mornings and steamy horses. |
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| The beautiful background at Santa Anita |
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| My daughter and I spent a lot of time with Wise Dan at the Breeders Cup. Making it one of the most memorable moments for my youngest made it extra special for me |
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| Lily, one our horses and one of my favorite subjects. |
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| My oldest daughter got engaged! |
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| My youngest is graduating high school. |
Wow what a year! I hope 2014 brings the same opportunities! I have put my camera through quite the workout; time for it to visit the camera spa, AKA Canon Professional Services.
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