08/31/2026
I donāt really know how to put this weekend into words yet. ā¤ļø
I came to Texas wanting to learn. I wanted to level up, challenge myself, learn new things, and honestly⦠I wanted my work to be looked at and judged by someone who knows this world on a level that I donāt yet.
And I was NERVOUS. Like, really nervous. š
But Click Thompson was exactly the kind of person you hope someone you look up to will be. Friendly, personable, down to earth, and he held nothing back. He answered questions, shared what he knew and made you feel like you belonged there.
One thing he taught me that I know Iāll carry home is that not everything has to be perfect.
Not every movement has to be perfect. Not every foot has to make it into the frame. Sometimes the technically āimperfectā picture is the one that tells the story.
And that hit me.
Because I think sometimes I get so caught up in trying to make sure Iām doing everything right that I forget why I picked up a camera in the first place.
This weekend was a LOT. š Three rodeos in two days. I am absolutely exhausted. But I got to shoot in places Iāve dreamed about, work beside other photographers and see how differently we all tell the same story. I got to talk with Trevor Brazile - The Official Fan Page, see Miles Baker and Ketch Weaver, meet people from The Cowboy Channel, and just be around a side of rodeo that we donāt really have back home in Alabama.
And there was one moment in the middle of all of it that I donāt think Iāll forget.
I just looked around.
And I prayed.
God, please donāt let this be my limit.
Donāt let this be the biggest thing I ever get to do.
Donāt let this be the last time I get to walk into places like this with a camera in my hand.
Please let this be the beginning.
Because rodeo in Alabama is different. Texas and the West have opportunities that we simply donāt have back home. And instead of that discouraging me, I think this weekend made me realize how much more there is out there if Iām willing to keep learning, traveling, pushing myself and going after it.
I came here nervous as hell and wondering if I was good enough to be here.
Iām leaving knowing I still have SO much to learnāand somehow that excites me more than anything.
Thank you, Click, for sharing what you know and for making this Alabama girl feel welcome in your world for a couple of days.
Iām tired. My body hurts. My camera has WORKED. š My brain is full.
But my heart is even fuller.
I really hope one day I look back at this picture and realize this wasn't one of the biggest moments of my photography journey.
It was just the beginning. ā¤ļøšø