I have multiple cameras, several expensive lenses, and entirely too many opinions, which is really all the qualifications I need for this article. After years of photographing horses, rodeos, seniors, families, and whatever other chaos has presented itself in front of my lens, I have had time to formulate some thoughts. So, buckle up. I'm about to offer some unsolicited opinions from behind the lens!
The economy is in shambles, so my prices are not
Something I hear, read, and see often from photographers is the constant drive for higher prices. I get it. Inflation. Gas. DIESEL. Hay. Trips to the grocery store. All of it is overwhelming and every single person I know has had to make adjustments, cuts, etc. in order to maintain some semblance of a normal life. That doesn't mean that documenting special moments in your life has to be a seemingly unattainable luxury.
I have had the thought often of raising my prices. In fact, once, I even had an entirely new website ready to unveil my new pricing options that adapted to the rising costs of life. Then I deleted it.
Everyone deserves the chance to document moments that mean something to them. Does that mean I am shaming photographers who are constantly adjusting prices to their costs? Not at all. In fact, more power to you. But for now, I am keeping my prices where they are. Years from now, most people probably will not care about the price of groceries in 2026, but you might be really glad you have that picture of your babies while they were little, your senior celebrating a huge milestone, or that old horse who won't be standing in your pasture forever. That matters to me more than squeezing out a few extra dollars.
The camera doesn't make the photographer, but it sure does help
If you have ever dove into the world of photography (even just dipping your pinky toe), you will have heard the phrase "it's not the gear...it's how you use it." That sounds all well and good until you are standing in a dark arena with a lens that is extremely grainy at ISO 1600. That is all well and good until you are trying to photograph a horse in action and are only getting a few frames per second. That is all well and good until you are trying to achieve and blurred, creamy, natural background with a lens that is rocking an aperture of f/5.6
Does that mean that you should go out and put yourself into massive debt buying the best flagship items that a camera company has? Absolutely not. Does it really serve you best to learn to maximize use of what you DO have until you are ready to upgrade? 100%. But understanding the limitations of your equipment will (kind of) prevent many migraines and failed shots.
there is always room at the table
Perhaps my most controversial take of all, unfortunately. It is absolutely okay and cool to help out upcoming photographers. When I started, I truly just jumped into it headfirst and had no idea what I was doing. I learned a lot of things the hard way and wasted a TON of money. If I can keep someone from going through some of the same struggles that I went through, I am delighted. Gatekeeping your knowledge isn't cool. Besides, everyone has Google anyways and can find just about any information, with or without your help.
I have always always always tried to keep my inbox open for questions. Want to know my settings from a specific event? Need help finding a camera? Want to come sit with me at a barrel race one day and practice some action shots? I'm here and happy to help.
let them be feral
Your kids, I mean. Get your husbands under control. All too often I have parents apologizing to me about the behavior of their kids (or animals). I need you to know that I am going into every photoshoot with the expectation that the children, the dogs, and the horses are all going to be wild. And you know what? I love it when it gets a little wacky.
You will often find that some of my favorite photographs are of goofy geldings being.... goofy. Your three-year-old spending more time smiling at their favorite toy and running around than standing with the family. The dog and your son playing a game of wrestling in that nice white shirt you picked out.
It's life. I love to document life.