“The photography market is becoming saturated by anyone and everyone who has a digital camera.” The most common complaint of professional photographers, which in my estimation is followed very closely by, “They don’t charge enough,” or “They are driving down the market…” or something along those lines. 

As much as I hate to go along with this negativity, it is very true.

You see it in portraiture of all kinds including family, senior and even weddings. Why you would want to choose the cheapest option for your wedding, aside from monetary constraints, is beyond me.

Even then, skip the open bar, that is one night.

The photos are supposed to last a lifetime! Cherished memories passed to generations. The booze, for a night and maybe a terrible morning after… We are event photographers, more specifically Rodeo Sports Photographers. There is intrinsic and dare I say monetary value of having a photographer at your event. 

At this time, I am going to pause, take a moment and make a disclaimer, 

IN NO WAY 

am I saying one person, or any group of people who make rodeos happen are any more valuable than another.  

I am going to make some comparisons, but not as a judgment on those who are integral to rodeo sports. .

Stock contractors, get paid to bring their animal athletes. Judges get paid for their skills. Bullfighters and Pickup Men, get paid for protecting the athletes. Producer’s get paid to put it all on, and announcers get paid for keeping the pace of the rodeo moving, and entertaining fans. All these people get paid (as general rule) at every event. 

Last year we were invited to shoot several events, when we asked, “What are the expectations of the photographer?”  The quick answer was, the photographer is expected get great pictures of the event, and we will need awards pictures, and we will need photos for our social media and we will need photos for our posters of upcoming events, both print and digital will be used.. and… and… and…

Often times the expectations are not even fully realized until the event is over. They call that an "after thought."

“Ok, all of that is doable. What’s your day rate?” Do you know how many folks almost swallowed their tongues? Or answer with, “Well, Suzie Someoneskid, said she’d do it for free.”  

Event producers anticipate the cost of the above-mentioned individuals.

You get what you pay for is not far from the mind of the committee when talking of great stock contractors, amazing judges, fearless pickup men and bullfighters. At the end of the working day, they may feed and water the stock, or ice bruises, but all of them go back to their rooms and rest.

Not so for the photographer. In fact, when others are “getting together” at the local bar or restaurant the photographer is finally getting to go to the restroom, and then feverishly downloading, developing, posting and finding the gems of the day’s events well into the wee hours of the following morning. 

Suzie Someoneskid may be a great photographer… maybe…

Think about this… are you wanting photographs?

Are you wanting your event documented?

Preserved, and kept true to the nature of the sport & heritage?

Or are you wanting some “pics”?         

There is a difference. 

I personally have overheard people complaining that our prices are too high, telling athletes & family not to purchase our photos, and then in the same breath ask how to take great photos. 

 YET ANOTHER DISCLAIMER… we have never held tight to what some consider “photog secrets”.

In fact, we as photographers in the rodeo world believe that a 'rising tide raises all ships', and it is our job to help burgeoning photographers raise their skillset and market your event remarkably well.   

Our fuel cost the same as the announcer, our room rates are the same as the bullfighters, we have likely brought tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of gear to your event, our software costs money, our time is just as valuable.  

When is the last time an announcer’s voice was used on a poster?

When was the last time a rider, a momma, or a fan, said “man I wish I could get that sound bite and hang it on my wall?"  (They don't) 

What is the cost of poor representation?  

As fantastic as a great announcer is- their voice is but whispers in the wind after the event is over.   As photographers, we are still producing images-moments pause for eternity- memories to be cherished and shared for generations…we are making art and preserving history. The promotion of your event continues, as we post images of the athletes. The promotion of your event is furthered as those images are tagged, shared, and used on all types of social media sources… 

The quality of the photographer who captures your events should be as considered as the announcer.

Will they represent you, your committee and your event well?

Will they keep the attention of the audience?

I say a great photographer extends your audience; we have had our posts reach as high as 2.2 million. We document the sport of rodeo, not only to the spectators in the seats, but to an audience across the world!  

We have photographed the last ride of competitors gone too soon. We have photographed the last buck of animals that mean so much to stock contractors, and competitors alike.

What is the value of that? That ride, that buck, may have been at your event… again are you wanting a great photograph that captured that moment in time? Or just some pics from Suzie Someoneskid?  

Now I will have my very last disclaimer...we know, we absolutely know that there is SO so SOOO much more to stock contracting, announcing etc than I have mentioned above, this is in it's simplest form for illustration purposes only. We have amazing relationships with producers, stock contractors, announcers, judges,  contestants. Our desire as your event photographers  is to best promote YOUR rodeo event!