Last weekend,
we hit the road for Council Bluffs, Iowa, to photograph the Big Bucks PRCA Rodeo. It was a long 7.5-hour drive on Thursday, but we made the most of it with a stop at Raising Cane’s for dinner. Afterward, we checked out Thrift World, where Jadrian found a few new shirts to add to the collection. We always enjoy exporling the towns we visit to make memories during our trips.
Friday morning, we got up early before the performance and made our way to downtown Omaha. We grabbed coffee at a spot called "The Table," a super cozy coffee shop where we played a quick game while we sipped our drinks. There’s something about small coffee shops that always feels welcoming, and this one had a great atmosphere. After finishing our coffee, we did some exploring, stopping by an art gallery featuring work from local artists. It was cool to see the creativity of Omaha’s art scene, and we took our time admiring the different pieces on display. Further into downtown, we wandered through the Old Market, which had a great atmosphere with brick streets and unique shops. We even met some friendly folks at a flower shop inside who shared a bit about the history of the market. It’s always great to take a moment to slow down and enjoy the places we travel to.
That evening, we got ready for night one of the rodeo at the Mid-America Center. There’s something special about indoor rodeos... the lights, the crowd, and the action all come together to create a great atmosphere. Once the performance wrapped up, we headed to Hooters for dinner—definitely a 10/10 meal. After dinner, we spent some time editing photos before calling it a night. We always like to get a head start on edits so we can deliver the best shots as soon as possible.
Saturday started early with slack at 10:00 a.m. There is nothing better rodeo'n bright and early. Once that wrapped up, we spent most of the day editing back at the hotel. Rodeo weekends are always a mix of free time and long hours in front of the computer, making sure every shot is up and ready for the clients and athletes to view. Before the night performance, we had the opportunity to take headshots for the Big Bucks crew and some of the athletes, and they turned out amazing. Headshots are always fun because they give us a chance to capture a different side of the competitors and crew, showcasing their personalities off the arena floor.
Then, it was time for the second and final performance of the weekend. The crowd was loud, and the athletes were great. It’s always exciting to be part of events like this, capturing moments that fans and athletes will look back on for years to come. After the rodeo, we packed up our gear and wrapped up the weekend with some final edits before getting some much-needed rest.
It was a great trip, and we’re already looking forward to our next stop in Fargo, North Dakota, with Big Bucks Pro Rodeo this coming weekend.
