Getting a start
Getting started in sports photography is one thing, getting into rodeo photography is another. Rodeo is fast, unpredictable, and requires a sharp eye and a deep understanding of the sport to capture its best moments. The best way to start? Go local. Whether it’s jackpots, AM rodeos, or a practice pen, these smaller events give you the perfect opportunity to fine-tune your skills freezing the action, reading the arena, and understanding how everyone works together to keep things running safely and smoothly. And before you find yourself staring down an angry bucking bull, spend some time shooting from outside the arena. Learning the flow of the sport from a safe spot will set you up for success when it’s time to get closer to the action.
Our first ever event, was a rodeo in our hometown.. and this is how we did it
Gear
Lets be honest, everyone wants the best of the best.. but
Work with What You Have – When we started, we used a Canon T7, which is a great entry-level camera. You don’t need the latest gear to capture the excitement of the rodeo. The key is to understand how your gear works and how to maximize its potential.
Focus on Technique – Before upgrading to higher-end bodies and lenses, we focused on mastering composition, lighting, and understanding the action in the arena. You can get great photos with a basic setup as long as you learn how to use your gear effectively.
Affordable Lenses – When we picked up a $100 50mm lens from Best Buy, it was an affordable way to get good image quality without breaking the bank. The prime lens forces you to move around and think about your framing, which is a great learning experience.
Gear Upgrade is Gradual – As you progress, you can start adding lenses to your collection. A 24-70mm or 16-35mm wide-angle lens will give you more flexibility in capturing a wide range of shots from different perspectives. A 70-200mm zoom lens is a must for tight action shots, especially when you can’t get up close to the riders or bulls.
As you learn and grow, you’ll find that upgrading to more advanced gear will become a natural step.
1.) Contact Event Organizer
When starting out in rodeo photography, it’s important to approach events professionally and respectfully. Unlike larger rodeos with strict credentialing processes, small jackpots and practice pens may not have official media guidelines.. but that doesn’t mean you should just show up with a camera in hand.
2.) Check with Official Photographer
If the event has an official photographer, always check with them first. Some rodeos have exclusive contracts, meaning you can’t sell photos from the event without permission. A respectful approach can go a long way. Some photographers are open to having photographers learn, while others may prefer no outside photographers.
3.) Understand Event Rules & Boundaries
Even at small rodeos, safety and professionalism are key. If granted permission to shoot:
A.) Ask where you are allowed to stand—some areas may be off-limits.
B.) Follow arena safety rules—never put yourself or others in danger for a shot.
C.) Be respectful of competitors—don’t distract riders or horses.
4.) Add Value in Exchange for Access
Some smaller events may not have a dedicated photographer, which could be an opportunity for you. Offering a few free photos to the producer, stock contractor, or winners can help you get your foot in the door and build relationships for future events.
Mastering the Art of Freezing Action
Now that you've got access to local events, it’s time to dial in your settings for capturing fast action, low-light arenas, and unpredictable movement. Some key points to hit:
1.) Shutter Speed
To freeze action, you will need a fast shutter speed. Personally, we do not go lower than 1/800. Even at 1/800, you will see some slight movement in either some dirt or in a tail. But when you are shooting in a dark indoor arena or at night, you might just sacrifice the slight movement over using an even higher ISO.
2.) Aperture
Shooting at F4 or lower, not only will allow you to get a nice blur in your background for subject isolation, it will also allow you more light. If you have ever shot in a dark area, you know being able to allow as much light in to your camera is key for a clear photo.
3.) ISO
ISO will vary in every arena, time of event, location etc. Even from the start of the event, to the end, this will change. To figure out your ISO, set your shutter speed high enough to freeze the action, then your desired aperture, followed by ISO to tweak your exposure.
4.) Single Shot or Burst?
Our tip to you, is to practice timing. Don't spam your shutter to the point of making a series of photos look like a video. Practice nailing that perfect stride, lead change, kick or excitement. It's easy to be overwhelmed in a moment, but frame your shot and shoot the photo that you planned.
Jacquelyn Heesch. Canterbury Park PRCA. Shakopee, MN 2024. Image by Dakota Cardenas
Post - Processing
After a performance, we head back to the hotel to begin our cull. Culling is the process of sorting through all the photos to separate the good from the bad, and selecting the best shots. Once we've done that, we load them into our editing software, where we apply simple adjustments like contrast, cropping, and sharpening.
We always label each photo with key details: the rider’s name, the stock and contractor, the score or time, the location, and finish with our name as the photographer. This labeling system makes it easy to search for a photo just by knowing the stock or rider.
To ensure everything is safe, we save both the raw files and finished images to a portable hard drive.
Great! You've got your self into a rodeo to shoot, you have a suitable camera and you know the basics to freeze the action.. but that's just the start...
Just like in any sport, relationships are everything. And rodeo isn’t just about getting good photos—it’s about being part of the community. It’s like showing up to a family reunion and not knowing anyone. You might get a few good shots, but you’re not going to leave with any cool stories. So, how do you get the best shots and get in with the riders, stock contractors, and event staff? By building relationships. When you’re at a small local event, make sure you’re getting to know the riders and event staff. Everyone’s there for the same reason—to have a good time and make the rodeo run smoothly. So, introduce yourself, ask questions, and be approachable. Sometimes, the best photos come from the moments you share with people off the clock. And remember, being friendly doesn’t just get you a smile; it might get you access to places you wouldn’t otherwise be allowed.
Kaique Pacheco with the Austin Gamblers. Shot for BullStock Media. Scottsdale AZ 2024
Cowboys before Perf. 2 Jackson County PRCA Rodeo. Image by Jadrian Cardenas. Bellevue, IA 2024
Engage with your Audience
As you start sharing your rodeo photos, don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from other photographers, rodeo participants, or event organizers. Constructive criticism can help you improve. When we first started, we asked riders about the types of shots they preferred so that we could better capture what they were looking for in the future.
Posting your photos on social media can be challenging, but it’s important to tell the full story of the event. Many photographers focus only on the high-scoring rides, but it’s easy to overlook the behind-the-scenes moments that help tell the broader story of a rodeo. Don’t forget about the small details and candid moments that show how a rodeo truly works. The goal is to make your viewers feel like they were right there with you.
This is just the beginning! If you’ve got questions or want to learn more, don’t be shy—reach out to us anytime. We’re here to help and would love to chat!