May kicked off with the first cattle sort of the year at Grizzle Ridge Arena, and let’s just say—it did not ease us in gently. Between the long hours, unpredictable livestock, and less-than-cooperative lighting, this event threw just about everything at us. But that's part of what makes this work so rewarding.
If you’ve ever been inside Grizzle Ridge Arena, you know it’s not exactly a photographer’s dream setup. The lighting is tricky, the action moves fast, and there’s no “pause” button when things get wild.
From the start, I knew this wasn’t going to be a simple point-and-shoot kind of day. The cattle were rowdy, restless, and absolutely determined to make things interesting. Combine that with constantly with only half the arena lights being on, and you’ve got a recipe for some serious camera gymnastics.
I had to push my gear to its limits—maxing out ISO, adjusting shutter speeds on the fly, and working my lens for every ounce of sharpness and clarity. But despite the hurdles (or maybe because of them), I walked away with some images that really captured the grit, tension, and excitement of the day.
There’s something raw and beautiful about moments like this. Uncontrolled, unscripted, and undeniably real. That’s what I love most about photographing events like cattle sorts—it’s not about perfection, it’s about presence. Being in the right place, anticipating the action, and capturing it in a way that tells a story.
Scroll down to see a few of my favorite shots from the event. Dust flying, cattle kicking, riders focused—it’s all there. These moments are fast, fleeting, and full of personality.
Even on tough days—and maybe especially on the tough days—photography has a way of showing you what you're capable of. Grizzle Ridge challenged me, and I’m proud of what came out of it.
If you're hosting or participating in an upcoming event and want to preserve the story in real, powerful images—get in touch. I thrive in chaos (just ask the cattle).