Polo with Rachel

         So this post has been a long time coming...a couple years, but who's counting. A few years ago, I was photographing at a local climbing gym and Rachel, who climbs there often, told me that she plays polo almost every weekend during the summer and thought I might find it fun to take pictures of. "Polo?", I said, "you mean on a horse?" Yep, that's what she meant. I told her I'd love to. The photos in this post are from two Sundays, each during a different summer.

       Well, first things first. Rachel had to get multiple horses ready to play. During a Polo match, there are 4 periods, known as Chukkers. Each Chukker last about 7:30 minutes. Normally each player rides a different horse in each Chukker. Getting a horse ready takes quite some time. Rachel always made sure that each horse got the proper care and equipment it need to prevent injury, and to keep her safe during play, as well.

        
         Once, as she struggled to tighten the saddle, she told me that the horse will hold it's breath and make tightening the saddle difficult.

      Once the horses are ready, It's time for Rachel to get ready. Getting herself ready takes no time at all, compared to getting the horse ready! Boots and leather guards that came up to her knees and of course, a helmet, that did not go on easily!

   
        The horse is ready, Rachel is ready. Now the two must act as one player in a game that is as graceful and fluid as it is unique and unlike any sport I've seen before!

      Now, Rachel is not a big girl, but if I called her petite, she'd punch me in the knee cap! (Only kidding, only kidding) But what Rachel lacks in height, she makes up for in strength and stamina and good old fashion athleticism! Look how far down she has to stretch to hit the ball. On a running horse, that cannot be easy!

         After the match, the horse get a cold shower, and...a drink!

What better after a hard day of polo than a roll in the dirt!

 

      After all the horses were in their stalls for the night I asked Rachel if I could take a portrait. She said of course, but I'm really disgusting and dirty and I stink! "Awesome!", I said.

        ...And this last shot is for Rachel, A photo of her and her favorite horse!

     I closing, I'd like to say thank you to Rachel for letting me photograph a part of her life that she loves and hold very close to her heart. And I can't wait to photograph it again, next summer!

It's been 8 months, time to post...?

     So, I've been lazy and haven't post lately. Sorry. Here are some photographs of what I've been doing over the last 8 months. I guess I haven't shoot as much as I'd like to.

DANIELLE

      When Danielle meet me for the shoot, she wasn't carrying a bag or anything with a change of clothes,  so I thought all she had was the dress she was wearing. "I didn't know what to bring with me, so I left everything in the car. If you want to go and look though everything and pick out what you want." She said. From floor to ceiling, and from door to door, was packed with clothes...and shoes.

 

       Danielle may look like a six foot tall, brunette with beautiful eyes and a great smile...and...well, she is, but she's also a tomboy, (no pun intended, you know what I mean!) She told me she wrestled in Middle school and was always getting in fights. She knows what's right and what's wrong and she is willing to speak her mind.
                                                                                                                                                                             

           Shortly after our shoot, Danielle left the restaurant where we were both working, and I never got a chance to say goodbye. So, if she happens to be reading this post..."Goodbye, I hope you are well and I am glad That I got the chance to have this shoot with you". 

  

CHRISTINA

 

        I have worked with Christina a number of times before, so when I saw a request for some updated head shots on her facebook page, I happily answered the call. along with her friend, she also brought along her baby. So, of course, I got some photos with the baby!

 

KEVIN

 

         I meet Kevin at wild walls one day while I was photographing there.  Well, I guess I met the whole family at Wild Walls. They are all heavily tattooed, (but his younger brother) his mom has been a tattoo model in tattoo magazines, and his dad is one of the best tattoo artist in the business. And he is also a great artist, in his own right, as well.

    RACHEL

 

     I met Rachel at Wild Walls a little over a year ago, I think and I have had the privilege of photographing her many times. And there is a reoccurring theme with her, happiness. She is always happy. 

         So, besides rock climbing, she also plays polo, and goes to college, and brings overwhelming joy and happiness wherever she goes!

RUSS AND NICOLE

             I don't photograph wedding's often, but for Russ and Nicole, I'll make an exception. I have known Russ for over ten years and I have been employed for nearly eight year's because of him. I have known his beautiful bride since 2012. A their wedding was small, (about 20 people) but very nice and cozy. And, because Russ is a chef, the food was great! (sorry, that was my stomach talking)

 

WILD WALLS 

            

 

   

           

MADDIE

 

       Maddie is my niece. She needed some portfolio work done for her entry into Miss Washington. So, naturally, my sister asked me  if I would shoot them. And I said sure, why not? We covered a lot of ground during this shoot. We started in the Spokane Valley, then went to Riverfront park, in downtown Spokane, Then ended up in Deer Park, where my sister lives.

       Maddie really wanted to get some photos with a horse and my sister had one all lined up for us when we got to Deer Park. Then about 2 hours before we were to meet up with the people that had the Horse, they cancelled. My sister then called up everyone she knew who had a horse and people she didn't know who had a horse. No one was available at the time we needed. Then, my sister boyfriend got a hold of a friend of a friend of someone, who had a horse we could use. So we went, and I got this image. Which is great. Her clothes match the horses coloring, perfectly. The position of the horse and her are great. Her profile is great. This photo is going in my own portfolio

OTHER

        Here are a few photos that I have taken without people in them, WHAT!!!!??