My friends and family have been laughing at me for the last week because none of them can picture me at a rodeo. But rodeos are a growing component of my photography business, and so I’ll put on a cowboy hat and dodge turds when I have to. I recently returned from Red Bluff, CA where one of the largest rodeos, the Red Bluff Round-Up, takes place. I had a great time, learned a lot, met some fun people, and walked away with some career pictures. I made a little slideshow if you’re interested in what rodeo is all about.

One interesting political observation: I’ve been shooting rodeos for a little over two years. My first was the 2007 Grand National in San Francisco, and the announcer mixed in a lot of very pro-war comments, and despite the location, left no room for opposing views. And this was 2007, not nearly the zenith of pro-war sentiment. Fast forward just two years to 2009, same announcer, much redder county (San Francisco County went 84-14 for Obama, Tehama County went 60-36 for McCain) and there were many statements that began with “whether or not you support the war or not…” And this in the presence of five Marines (including a seriously badass sniper who apparently has an obscene number of confirmed kills) who held the flags during the national anthem. Have things changed that much in two years?

Anyway, check out the slideshow, I think you’ll enjoy it.