From Suburbs to Saddle: How Photography Brought Me to the Rodeo
When most people mention Georgia, they’re usually talking about Atlanta—the city’s vibrant art scene, iconic rappers, legendary strip clubs—or the “quaint and haunted” coastal charm of Savannah. But there’s so much more to this incredible state. From the wild horses roaming Cumberland Island to the local rodeos scattered across rural towns, and even the breathtaking mini Grand Canyon at Providence Canyon, Georgia is full of surprises.
About six months ago, I moved back to this state I once called home. I didn’t have a full plan, just plenty of time on my hands. Having grown up in the suburbs on the outskirts of Atlanta, I never imagined rodeos being part of Georgia life. It wasn’t until I moved to New York City and randomly attended one in Philadelphia during a weekend trip that I discovered the world of rodeo.
The first time I saw cowboys and cowgirls in action, I was blown away. They made the sport look effortless and thrilling, yet undeniably dangerous. I went to a few more and found myself sitting in the stands, dreaming about what it would be like to photograph one of these events.
Fast-forward a month, and I accepted a job in Ohio. I thought, Surely, the rodeo scene must be bigger here. But after two months of Googling “rodeos in Ohio” and coming up empty-handed, I started to feel discouraged. Even Reddit threads yielded little help, with users telling me, “There are no rodeos in Ohio.”
Determined not to give up, I decided to shift gears and look for ranches or other related subjects to photograph—but again, no luck. Then, my brother invited me to visit him in Texas. On a whim, I reached out to an Australian cowboy I’d connected with online and asked if I could photograph him. That message led to a 16-hour drive and an introduction to one of his friends, which finally opened the door for me to photograph a rodeo in Fort Worth.
A year later, I finally stumbled across a rodeo in Ohio. After a single phone call, I was fortunate enough to have another opportunity to photograph the action. Around this time, I began contemplating leaving my full-time job. It felt risky—I had no idea if the rodeo scene in Georgia would be thriving enough to attend as i navigate the freelancing world.
When I returned to Georgia, I turned to social media for leads, as Google had been of little help in the past. I found one rodeo organizer and reached out. Initially, she wasn’t interested, but I kept trying. After a few voicemails and a call, I found myself at another rodeo, meeting incredible people I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.
This journey taught me the value of persistence and the magic of following even the smallest spark of curiosity. I hope this story encourages you to pursue your own dreams, whether they’re big or small—or at least inspires you to try something new.
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-Michelle Carmona
