Second Shooter Day of the Show
Location: Colorado Horse Park, Parker, Colorado (On-Site)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/efV2eto1Dh8c1Bgq8
Dates: September 21-22, 2024
Rings: We will be in Rings 6 & 7, the Hunter Ring Area, and possibly the Coors Family Arena. See the map at the bottom of this page.
Parking: I typically park in the South parking lot off Bayou Gulch. Enter at the main entrance noted on the map and park in exhibitor parking or T-Lot parking (which is almost always full). You can park in the VIP/Spectator parking at the north entrance off of S. Pinery Parkway, however the walk can be a bit much at the end of a day.
What You Will Need
Make sure to bring your camera, lenses, hood, monopod, and any other equipment you will need to shoot with. Be sure to bring multiple batteries. I typically utilize at least 3 batteries ona show day, and if it is cold I double that. I do bring my battery chargers with me in case I need to ut some batteries on the charger during breaks/lunch.
I will provide you with SD/memory cards to use for the show each morning. At the end of each day I will collect them from you to download the photos off of.
Start of the Day
We will start our day by meeting at the show office twenty minutes before the first scheduled ride. The show office is towards the center of the map and labeled by the pink building that says ATM in the map, we will meet at the North (top) side of this building. I will give you a list of the riders that have pre-registered in your assigned ring(s), as well as a schedule for all rides in your arena(s). I will also provide you with a link to a shared Google Spreadsheet highlighting all riders that have pre-registered which I will update throughout the day if additional people pre-register. I will also text you if anyone additional signs up in your arena(s) throughout the day.
During the Show
While rides are going, you will stay at your arena(s) to take photos of as many riders as possible. The more riders you capture, the more sales you will potentially make. However, it is most important to capture the riders that have pre-registered, as they have paid a deposit to guarantee a photographer at their ride. So if you need breaks outside of the scheduled show breaks, try to do so when you will not miss any pre-registered riders.
The photos: Try to remember to grab a photo of the rider/horse # (found on the bridle or saddle pad) at the beginning of each ride to help me keep track of the riders when sorting and editing photos. The goal is to have 15-20 keeper photos per horse, highlighting the intro or exit halt, walk, trot, canter, and some of the more complicated movements they may do such as canter pirouette, flying changes, piaffe, etc.
The goal is to be invisible to the rider, and not influence their horse or affect their ride or concentration in any way. If your camera offers silent photography, it is ideal to turn that on. If your camera doesn’t offer silent photography, just be considerate of the horse in case the camera sound seems to worry them. We can stand inside the fence separating spectators/warmup from the arena, however be mindful not to get too close to the show arena itself. Ideally stand at least 10-15ft away at all times, and ideally more towards a corner or the short side than in the middle of the long side. You can keep your camera bag and other items nearby, but keep those against the outside fence area if at all possible. I normally keep mine next to the ring steward or judge’s booth depending on which end of the arena I am at. If a horse that is riding around the outside of the show ring seems a little worried about you, you can gently talk to it to let it know you are friendly and not a scary monster. Do not talk to the horse if it has entered the arena to show.
As the sun moves, so can you. I typically find shooting from one side of the arena in the AM and the other side in the PM works best. But do whatever works best for a nice background (a nice as you can get it knowing we are on a show grounds) and good lighting.
There is typically an A.M. break, lunch break, and an afternoon break. Not all arenas go on break at the same time, so we might not get to break together. The show grounds does have a food truck, but the line can be pretty long at times and not always effective for the amount of time we get on break.
During the lunch break and at the end of the show, I will be taking pictures during the awards ceremony in the awards arena. You are not required to be there for that.
Other Things to Consider
Photos get posted to my gallery for proofing without any edits. Only after a client pays for a photo or package, do I do any editing. So try to have your photos come off the camera ready to be viewed as it will promote more sales.
If your camera offers the ability to shoot JPG and RAW simultaneously, please do that. If it does not, please shoot in RAW.
You will be outside, on your feet, in varying weather most of the day. I recommend wearing some sort of hat, and sunscreen. I also recommend having a variety of clothes available in case the weather does crazy things. I will usually have a light sweater/jacket at the arena with me just in case, and keep heavier outfit changes in the car.
Bring a cup/tumbler for water, and stay hydrated! The arena volunteers and runners can help by getting water from the show office or calling to the show office for you, just ask them.
Here are some examples of upper level horses, with photos at the walk, trot, and canter as well as with lateral work and flying changes to give you an idea the type of photos clients like!
https://unaschade.shootproof.com/gallery/24895480/album/18130039
https://unaschade.shootproof.com/gallery/24481132/album/17586871
https://unaschade.shootproof.com/gallery/24895608/album/18147894
Additionally, in the unfortunate event a horse misbehaves, it is OK to keep shooting! Many riders love their *oops* photos from in the ring.
