the story

Equine Designs and Kat Rodgers Photography began with a Ted Robinson cow horse clinic.

In 1998 reined cow horse was unique to Florida. The association, FRCHA, was shiny and new. To help grow their membership, the top cow horse trainers would come from CA to put on clinics for new NRCHA affiliates.

Horses and photography make me happy. The FRCHA had no show photographer, and there I was. With the help of numerous trainers, I was able to learn what was that “perfect moment”. The dance between rider, cow and my camera finger. All had to be in perfect harmony to be a great photo.

Cow horse photography was a challenge to master. Three events meant perfecting three types of photography, each with it’s own spectacular moment. Reining trainer, George Aldridge was my first willing victim. While working his reining horses, I would take photos, lots of photos. The perfect angle and instant for camera, horse and light finally found me.

Becoming the FCHA show photographer helped my photography timing. Luckily I found lots of trainers willing to critique my skills.  The moment wasn’t the flash. but the instant the horse controlled the cow. The dance.

My next challenge; custom websites. At the time the internet lived on dial up.  The websites I crafted were not only unique and beautiful, they were functional for all.  My marketing degree came in handy.  Target market, objective, promotion, we had them all.

Design, I learned is the same for all mediums; digital or print. With help that  was always there when asked, I learned how to make stand out ads for all publications, in a field that was happy blending.  When advertising is recognized by the designer rather than the advertiser, it’s a problem.  Create unique strategies, it’s THE solution.

The NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity became my vacation time from the beginning.  I am a fan of reined cow horse.  The history, the finesse, the beauty keeps me entranced.  To learn more about the event, I attended every local cow horse clinic, Florida or Georgia.  Show secretary and judges clinics also helped me gain insight. All to learn how the special moment was achieved from every perspective.

Every association has one big show or event. When I the show photographer for an association, I was also the website and print designer. I would craft websites, show programs and ads for major events to promote associations, breeders, trainers, etc.

Photo journalism came around once printing the photos was over.  The shows needed to be promoted.  With great editors, I was published in every major performance horse magazine numerous times, in photos and print. How things always end up circular, being published in national magazines, my photography became known nationally.

I was able to use my years of taking photos in the affiliate level to be honored in taking photos in the national level. The effort of making every ride have that special moment in every class paid off.

Equine Designs and Kat Rodgers Photography

supports the NRCHA and its affiliates.

photography

Kat Rodgers Photography is nationally known in the reined cow horse circles. I travel throughout the country to shoot horse show events and work with individual clients to create images that allow the true beauty and grace of the horse to be seen. With years of practice, I have been able to capture images while maintaining correct form & function in the photos for owners to use in effective advertising as well as a special moment to cherish forever.

I have worked as a freelance photojournalist and have been widely published (print and photo credits) in western performance horse magazines, including Performance Horse, Quarter Horse News, Stock Horse News, and Western Horseman.

I have also been the official photographer of the National Stock Horse Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association, Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association, Southwestern Reined Cow Horse Association, Florida Reined Cow Horse Association, Florida Cutting Horse Association, ECRCHC and the Georgia Reined Cow Horse Association.

ready?

Need a website and digital marketing strategy that will exceed your expectations?
Email Kat