I have always loved horses...My earliest memories are of distracting the horse that lived behind our house in Southern California from "eating my brother alive" as he retrieved his baseball from it's paddock and of riding a pony at the boarding stable where my older sister worked. My experience with that pony is burned into mind as I remember galloping on the pony, with the saddle slipping to the side, until I finally found myself hanging upside down under his belly!
Additionally, I have been taking pictures of life since I was ten. My first camera, a Kodak instamatic, I owned for years, after first losing it at Stonehenge in 1975. Thankfully another friendly tourist found it, took photos of the site, and returned it to the tour company! So I got my camera back with photos too!
I've bought my first SLR camera - a Canon - in 1984 and my first digital SLR 20 years later. That Canon still takes the loveliest photos...
It seems natural that my love of horses and photography hobby have merged into the business of Equestrian Photography. Unfortunately, digital is more effective for equestrian event photography, and I generally have the digital SLR with me if I'm around the horses. My friends don't seem to mind the innumerable candids, as I "practice" my timing and art, honing the skills to get the "right" shot.
Below are some shots of me and my two "ponies". Ragtime Bojangles, a registered Morgan (b 2001) and First Cousin (aka "Mauri"), an Anglo-Arab (b 1986).... I'll be competing both in 2007 in the South Texas Region. "Beau" in open dressage and Morgan hunt seat; "Mauri" in open dressage.
NEWS UPDATE - September 1st, 2007. I've become a "RAW" convert. I now shoot in the RAW format, which increases my ability to correct, manipulate and improve images prior to printing. Many thanks to the long-time pros at the Equine Photographers Network for encouraging this switch!
NEWS UPDATE - July 31st, 2007! I've said "so long" to Uncle Sam! After 24 years, 11 months and 25 days (who's counting right?) I've retired from Active Service with the US Army. Now it's back to school to get my teacher's certification in Mathematics (grades 4-8 and 8-12), after having added the "Generalist 4-8" to my Secondary Spanish/German credentials. No more TDY or threats of being deployed overseas will interfere with my event shooting schedule. Yea!
NEWS UPDATE - July 2007. Camera Switch. I've upgraded to the Canon 5D digital SLR with 70-200mm F2.8 lens for better indoor shooting capability as well as the Nikon D200 for outdoor action shots.
Frances and her Morgan gelding "Ragtime Bojangles" in August 2006.
Frances and her Anglo/Arab mare "First Cousin" in March 2006
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PO Box 340128, San Antonio, TX 78234
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