Danielle is SWEET Sixteen!

A few weeks back, I had the honor of photographing a very special birthday girl who shows horses on the East Tennessee circuit. Danielle Ricker had NO idea that her parents, Mark & Vickie, had sent her off to what she thought was just a movie date with friends. Little did she know that her evening would include a limo ride, pedicures and manicures at the Johnson City mall, followed by a surprise party with a few of her closest friends and family.

Horsin Around in January!

Old man winter brought the second big snowfall of the winter season to our farm last week. I love it when the snow stops and the sun comes out on those cold, brisk winter mornings. I especially love it when I get to take time and photograph my own two boys enjoying their time out of the barn. Later this week, I will feature the pets and scenery!

It’s All About Ethics

Photo © Courtney Church Photography, www.courtneychurchphotography.com

I have been told that my candid photography is some of my best work. These different angle shots – outside the ring, in the moment captures can sometimes tell the story without words. That is what my business is based on – “images that speak.” But sometimes, you need to have a little silence to appreciate things. So for 2010, I’m putting a muzzle on the talking images outside the ring…well, sort of.

For the past few years, I freelanced over the rail at horse shows where there was an official photographer in center ring. I did not have the permission from the official photographer nor did I feel the need to get permission. I had this belief that if they got the better shot, they would not need to worry about me. After all, I only done different candid type shots and I was not shooting the same side rail shots with a flash like they were. What is the harm? For many years, I held the belief that my style was different than the in ring photographers’ style and in many cases, I think it still is. And, when I am in center ring, other photographers on the outside never really bothered me.

It wasn’t until a good friend of mine and a fellow walking horse photographer had a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting with me on the subject of freelancing over the rail that I realized this type of thing is not only unethical to the official photographer, it’s downright rude.

The Saddlebred industry is over run with over-the-rail photographers. At many of their shows, you will see anywhere between two to as many as 10 photographers with pro level cameras. Digital sure has changed things because now everyone thinks because they have a nice camera, they can be a photographer too. Which I’m sorry to say isn’t the case. You can use the same paint brushes Leonardo did but it doesn’t mean you can paint the Mona Lisa. This business is getting harder and harder to make a living at. The tough economic times don’t help and the USDA showing up at the walking shows really doesn’t help. Very rarely do official photographers get paid to be at an event. Most of us are lucky if we get a hotel room, let alone the fuel , meals, and other expenses taken care of.

Digital doesn’t mean we don’t have expenses. The cost of digital is higher than the cost of film. The only wonderful thing about digital is we now have the instant gratification in knowing we got the shot. I learned my craft on film. And I can tell you that the cameras are not made to last like the old film cameras were. You have to upgrade constantly to keep operating. In old film days, we didn’t have to post proofs online or email electronic images to publications. Now the cost of doing business, website hosting, software programs, this all takes a lot to maintain and keep up. Let alone the money you have to put back for living expenses, buy groceries, pay bills, and keep the lights on.

So, is it really fair for someone who has no expenses to be at a show other than gas money to show up and take photos and sell them after the show? No. I don’t think it’s fair anymore.

This is a time for fellow show photographers to pull together. My actions and arrogant attitude have hurt some of my fellow photographers in the past and I no longer wish to do this.

We can still give our exhibitors and shows what they want by working together and respecting each other. Up until recently, I was the only full time pro in-ring photographer in the walking horse world that freelanced at shows where there was an official photographer. Not anymore. I love my fellow photographers and I love my customers. So what do you do if you are unhappy with who is in center ring at a show? Tell show management. It’s the right thing to do!

In 2010, if you want a candid from Photos By Nat, it will be at a show where I am in center ring. I’m stepping up my game and will do my best to supply an outside ring photographer at shows where I am in center ring. I am also hoping to work side by side with some of the finest pros in the industry to give exhibitors what they want. But, when Natasha Douglas Photography died, so did the unethical shooting over the rail.

I’m sure this issue will be discussed again and I have more comments but for now, I will leave it at that.

And by the way – Photos By Nat is searching for candid photographers ;) Drop me an email at tasha@photosbynat.com !