How to get started in barrel racing photography
If you’ve thought about photographing barrel racing, let us help you.
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How I got started shooting barrel racing pics
- A week after I got my first camera, I shot my first barrel race after my parents pushed me into it.
- I had no desire to shoot barrel races, but I mapped out a system with a booth and one employee.
- I made more money in 8 hours than I did in the previous 40 hours at my “real” job.
- I was working as an intern at Peabody Energy as a Landman.
- The goal was to use my camera for that job, but that didn’t work out.
- The producers of that first barrel race were impressed with the system I made for printing on-site and asked me to shoot their other races.
- When I returned to College, I looked for barrel racing producers to contact around Laramie.
- I grew my network and my business primarily through the word-of-mouth
- In my first year in business, I broke the 6-figure barrier with that entry-level kit
How can you get started photographing barrel races
- You are probably already way ahead of where I started if you’re reading this barrel racing photography blog
- That first week of learning was intense, but you can do the same.
- If you’ve thought about photographing barrel racing, let us help you.
- Start small and local. The big barrel races won’t hire you yet.
- Start with local magazines and Facebook groups to find local races
- Reach out to those producers who are producing small events
- How do you know they are small?
- Small ads, questionable design choice.
- Or, put a request in those Facebook groups asking for an opportunity to practice shooting barrel racers in the practice pen.
- Don’t show up to an event and expect to be able to shoot.
- If there’s an OP (Official Photographer), then ask them if you can practice
- Better yet, ask if you can shoot the exhibition runs.
- Explain exhibitions
- If you’re interested in barrel racing photography, you’ll eventually have to take pictures of barrel racers, so it’s important to get out there and practice.
- Getting started can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to photography and barrel racing. So, I’ve removed all the guesswork and reduced the learning curve with an easy-to-follow barrel racing photography course!
The upcoming barrel racing photography course
- Like most other courses, this will be self-directed, and you’ll have lifetime access to the material.
- The course starts with an introduction to barrel racing and how it works.
- Then, for those new to photography, it walks you through all my recommended camera settings.
- Start with the gear you already have, but I have a gear guide to help you figure out what you need now and what to look for when you’re ready to upgrade.
- I don’t hold anything back in this course. For example, I have a trick to determine where to sit, no matter the size and shape of the arena.
- Learning what not to do is also important.
- Like running through the electric eyes during a run, hiding behind barrels, or running around the arena during a run.
- I’m in the middle of building the course for you, but if you want to make sure you don’t miss out on the release, visit www.equinephotoschool.com and sign up for the email list.
- This will be a comprehensive course. Each event is different than the rest. I’ve distilled seven years’ worth of learning into this course. No matter how much you think you know about barrel racing photography, I guarantee you’ll learn something in this course.
Summary
- If you’ve thought about photographing barrel racing or you’ve gotten started, but you’re not making enough money from it, let me help you.
- I have been where you’re at, and now I’m here to help you reach your goals. I’ve shot some of the most prestigious barrel races on the planet with payouts in the millions.
- Photography is a hobby that could easily surpass your current income at your real job while still only working weekends.
Thank you!
Have any questions?
Drop a comment below or leave us a voicemail with your questions by clicking the button on the right side of this page. We will do our best to answer it in the next episode of the podcast.
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Website: www.equinephotoschool.com
Email: info@equinephotoschool.com
Phone Number: 307-851-9847
Gear We Use and Trust
Click here for the gear we used at Olie’s Images.
