Live to ride

Julia, 20, Masshole at heart. Zone 1 Region 5 IHSA. Photography is my art, Riding is my passion. This is my photography blog, if you're interested in photo shoots, or have any questions feel free to contact me! I promise I don't bite :) var sc_project=11124190; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_security="9a34b756"; var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://secure." : "http://www."); document.write("");

[paratore-photography]

Dixie Sitting Pretty

This one actually wasn’t planned as a black background but the lighting worked out so well that I barely had to edit it to turn it into one

JH Eventing

July 2017

[jps-lifeofequines]

So I know this is really subjective and obviously changes depending on the horse but would you guys do front boots and back polos, or back boots and front polos?

I’m talking about full wrap around boots, not ankle boots. I’ve just seen it done either way but given the back legs vs front have pretty different functions and boots vs polos have different functions I figured there might be some opinion out there as to which combination offers better support and protection?

Thanks :)

[paratore-photography]

Christina and Ro’ having fun on Adult Event team jump day

JH Eventing

July 2017

[paratore-photography]

Spotted Pony Dancing

Larkin HT

July 2017

[paratore-photography]

Never the most flattering angle but also kind of a fun shot

Larkin HT

July 2017

[jps-lifeofequines]

So along with getting my butt back in the saddle with photos I also want to start making videos again. But to do so I need music which I SUCk at picking out lol. I can take anything- upbeat, slow, literally anything. Any suggestions?

[paratore-photography]

Early Morning Testing

Larking HT

July 2017

[jps-lifeofequines]

so hey guys....

it has been almost six months since I’ve posted and about the same amount of time since I have even thought about opening this up and scrolling through my feed. A lot has happened, personal and otherwise that has overall made it hard to come on and post. But I figured I’d give it a swing again. Specifically I miss editing and sharing my photos and artwork with everyone along with the community I miss being part of. So that’s where I’m going to start. 

its hard to explain exactly “were I’ve been” in my life and where my riding and photography has gone but I’ll try to put it out eventually. Long story short I lost a lot of motivation in my photography and so took a significant time off, and with no one to share it with it just became harder to get back into it. but here’s to trying again and not giving up :)

[jps-lifeofequines]

Inadequacy is my specialty

[jps-lifeofequines]

When out of no where it just hits you how you have never been good enough for anyone to actually want to care about you and it feels like you just got hit by a truck

[jps-lifeofequines]

idk what to do. I had a rough time in aiken. I was super emotional, not riding anywhere near what I’m capable of, and just super down and not remotely social. And I do want to send my coach and email saying thank you for letting me come down but i feel like idk... it just didn’t go well because of where my mental health is at rn. 

I don’t think I should say anything cuz its a serious personal problem of mine, and yet at the same time i really feel like i should.... I just wasn’t anywhere near myself. I essentially started crying one day she came up and helped me out with a horse I was riding because I knew I could be doing better but for some reason I just couldn’t.... so idk what to do. Coach and rider relationships are so hard. Some are more professional than others but no matter what you are paying them for their services... and yet I just feel like she got such a bad impression of me from that and I haven’t really known her that long so its not like she would see through this. So idk what to do... should I mention it in some capacity? 

i hate this and just don’t know what to do :/ the more I thought about it the worse I got until i essentially just turned into a ball of antisocial self hate.... what would you guys recommend?

[theruby-redmare]

Does anyone else see something wrong with a “pro photographer” going to a show, taking pictures of EVERYONE’s rounds, and advertising on social media/selling them afterwards for $5 a pic??

[forests-in-neverland]

They’d need to be the official photographer or working with the official photography company for the show otherwise it’s not allowed but I’m pretty sure it happens all the time even at big shows lmao

[sanddancingwithanxiety]

What particularly about it annoys you? We have like 5 photographers which do our events, but one official one who sells their photos, the rest generally put stuff up for free.

Unfortunately there’s this new GeoSnapShot thing which has popped up at our events (and might be what you’re referring to?) where they put out every photo they take with no editing, in the worst moment of the stride - seriously they made my instructor look bad, my friend felt awful about her ride after seeing these pics bc they don’t give a fuck about how the client feels - and then sell them for like $5 to $10. and it’s fucked, i take better pictures and actually go through the effort to try to make people feel good about themselves and ulgh.

Anyway I feel like this might be the same kinda thing that’s happening for you?

[theruby-redmare]

It’s extremely disrespectful to pass out business cards/sell pictures when there is an official photographer present. To go to a show to purposefully photograph every competitor with intention​ to sell to them is poaching and takes business away from the official photographer who pays a fee to be there.

These pictures are actually decent (this person has a fancy lens), which is why $5 is a problem because it depreciates the value of all the other photographers in the area. Plus there is absolutely no way they are making a profit with prices that low, so it just hurts everyone.

[jps-lifeofequines]

I'm pretty sure it's actually illegal to sell your photos if there is a contracted professional photographer present. When I shoot at shows with a pro photographer it's for practice/with my friends. I've had people asked to buy my pictures and I've referred them to the pro photographer that was there instead.

I've had moments when I think the photos I've taken have been better than the professionals at a show but that's still not an excuse. No one has any idea what a good photo is worth these days. It's so annoying as someone who knows how much effort and practice goes into learning how to take proper photos, and you never stop learning.

[jps-lifeofequines]

Day two is in the books. Struggling through this which is a shame because I'm having some really awesome moments. First ride on the western paint was kinda crappy. He's just here to stay in shape and enjoy his time and he's a roping horse so he doesn't fully understand english. so I feel kinda crappy about myself when I ride him because I don't necessarily know what I could be doing better for him which I hate because I'm normally pretty good at that crap. Not so much I can't ride as I just don't want to undo his western training by riding him how I naturally would so I'm just very stuck in the middle and unsure of myself. Butttt yellow pony coming in clutch to really pick me up and get me back on my feet. Had a bit of a worthless feeling ride on her yesterday, I'm just in a rut with my riding what else is new 🤷🏻‍♀️but she helped me get back into it and had a really productive ride just feeling myself out and seeing how it impacted her. She was in a neck stretcher which definitely helped but for my sake I'm going to say it mostly me 😉 Anyways, cataloging all this is nice for me. Feeling very alone in my personal life which has a wonderful cumulative effect on everything. But trying to take it one day at a time and make the best out of all of this wonderful opportunity I have.

[jps-lifeofequines]

PSA: you can have friends and still feel alone

[jps-lifeofequines]

Day one in paradise ☺️I wish it was warmer lol but other than that it’s gorgeous here. Getting a bit of a kick in the gut from my depression and anxiety which I’m not thrilled about but I’m hoping it’ll calm down as a few days go by. I have determined that food plays a bit role in my overall mood lol. So eating is also important lol. Trying to keep on that. Let’s see what day 2 holds. Despite freezing temperatures ❄️

[jps-lifeofequines]

I hate my anxiety with a deep and burning passion like nothing else I've ever experienced.

[jps-lifeofequines]

I have officially arrived in Aiken!!!

long fucking day of traveling and Im probably just gonna pass the fuck out but I am super amped for the next 9 days to see what it has in store for me :)

my trainer is complaining about the weather theyve been having and told me to dress warm tomorrow and the low is 36 and the high is 60 and im just laughing and so happy lol. meanwhile back home its 15 degrees and they are supposed to be getting 2+ feet of snow tomorrow. lolz. this is great. fingers crossed i can keep my shit together for this next week and a half