As I turned onto the dirt road, passing the makeshift sign that say Rodeo 6pm in hand painted lettering -  I knew I was heading into a wild night. Following the dirt road, a truck in front of me was guiding the direction – the lights of the rodeo peaked through as we turned the corner. Have you ever seen in the movies when you walk down a random alley way, knock on an old door, open it up and walk into a grand room with lots of lights and dancing?  That’s what this felt like as I rolled into the parking lot of the rodeo. What a random but spectacular area. People filled the space with laughter & music. I parked the truck towards the back near the bulls. I always like to have easy access to the truck & equipment during any shoot. I gather up my gear and walk past some cowboys getting ready. I never want to get in anyone’s way, but at the same time I try to sneak into places to see what shots I can snag. Right away I go for the cattle shoots. I start to capture all the fellas getting ready. Gear slung over cattle panels, tape dangling being ready to use, and soda cans with cigarette butts flung on the ground.

This felt like a small but mighty arena. MC calling folks to be ready to be entertained, owners shaking hands with the fellas and the bulls being prepped. I step on the grate to catch a glimpse of the riders. They climb over the panel and sit down on the bull. What a process it is for a rider to go for 8 seconds. A team of gents surround the rider. Torquing the rope so his hand won’t fly loose (the process of roping down the hand during the prepping session is an intense scene) helmet check, position locked -  I didn’t know if I was hearing my heart race or the riders. CLANK – the gate opens and the rider holds on. Up to 8 seconds of pure adrenaline. Absolutely insane.

I couldn’t get enough. Duckin and diving around the fellas and snagging photos. One fella invited me to hop the next stall to get a different angle for the next rider. I couldn’t get into the area fast enough – but that would be a crazy shot. NEXT TIME!!  Pure high for the entire time. When the sun set – the arena lights came one. This gave my photos more of an interesting vibe. The greens and reds and blues of the lights just added to the dramatic scene of the riders trying to catch their 8 seconds on the bull.  The zone that is locked in for this 8 second ride is more than what I can imagine.

I will say – I am hooked.