Trading in the Docs

I used to be all about nature scapes, moody portraits, and the obligatory artsy coffee shop shot. But ever since moving to North Carolina, my photography has taken a hard turn into the world of… wait for it… livestock. I find myself out here lining up the perfect golden-hour shot of a longhorn steer like it’s a fashion model, whispering things like, “Work that angle, big guy.” I’ve gone from scouting urban backdrops to judging the aesthetic quality of a ranch pasture. If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be debating which steer has the most majestic horns, I would have laughed. But here we are.

And just when I thought I had reached peak cowboy energy, I’m slowly realizing my next obsession just might be the rodeos. That’s right—bucking broncos, flying dirt, and the kind of rugged, dust-covered drama that my Nikon is just begging to capture. My beautiful bride, ever patient and supportive, has somehow become my photography assistant, probably wondering how I ended up wrangling her while I wrangle shots of the local livestock. At this point, I should probably just trade in my Doc Martens and buy a pair of Ariats and a ten gallon hat and commit fully.

North Carolina, you’re changing me, and honestly? I think I love it.

~ Jamie