I have to apologize that I have been so disconnected to this space for awhile. Like so many, 2020 was a “what the heck is happening” reality for us. We decided that it was sink or swim so we took a step back, looked at our strengths, took some really interesting risks and it’s paid off! I’m really not trying to pat ourselves on the back but more or less, take a deep breath and say somehow, we made it. We aren’t in the clear yet I don’t think but as I’m writing this, I’m sitting on a bed in Arlington, Texas waiting for my COVID test to come back, to ensure our spot in Clay shooting the 2020 NFR and that I am able to assist him.
So what’s been going on you ask? The last time I updated we had just gotten back from Grand Island and we were self isolating as a new normal. April and May consisted of Porch Sessions. We had seen a couple other photographers doing the #FrontPorchProject so with a little encouragement from my big brother, we decided to try it! We found a house we loved so May and June consisted of buying our first home. Super exciting, super stressful! Buy a house during a pandemic, great idea! All summer we had the opportunity to photograph various seniors and families.
Home Sweet Home
We broke in our new deck with great friends! Summer didn’t last long enough!
Over the 4th of July we were lucky enough to head to a rodeo! What!? Rodeo is happening during COVID!? We were so lucky and happy that New West Rodeo Productions asked us back and it felt great to be back in the dirt! We also were asked back to the National Circuit Finals of Steer Roping which was held in Torrington, WY. August also provided more rodeos on the calendar and we were feeling lucky to have some normalcy.
This fall I bet you’ll never guess what happened? More photos! We had the opportunity to shoot a couple of weddings for some great couples. More seniors and more families filled in the books, all while still settling into our new home. We waited for what seemed like FOREVER to hear about the National Finals Rodeo. We decided that if Clay wasn’t chosen to shoot the event that we would sit this year out. The more I thought about it, having the event moved due to COVID, this was ABSOLUTELY the year to photograph the event. This was major history. I prayed so hard for that guy. He called one day when we thought for sure 2020 wasn’t his year and asked what I was going to order at Joe’s Crap Shack (traveling is all about food for this guy!). We ate there last night with our good friend Steve Gray, who is the other behind the scenes photographer.
So here we are. We made it. We are in Arlington, Texas and shooting at Globe Life Field for the 2020 National Finals Rodeo. I plan to do a recap after the 10 days is up so stay tuned for that. Follow both Clay and I on social media to keep up during our time here in Texas.
So grateful to be here.
-Ty & Clay