When you scroll through Elizabeth’s social media feed, you’d never guess that she only picked up a camera and the Western lifestyle she shoots, just over a year ago. What started as a spontaneous trip out West quickly turned into a creative awakening that’s capturing the heart and grit of rodeo through a fresh lens. From her first rodeo in Virginia to shooting professional-level events alongside seasoned content teams, Elizabeth’s story is proof that passion and curiosity can carve new paths at any stage in life. In this conversation, she opens up about her unexpected journey into the Western world, her creative process behind the camera, and the moments that have shaped her growing career in rodeo photography and videography.
Q: Can you tell our audience a little more about yourself?
A: I grew up moving up and down the East Coast, but mainly grew up in a suburb of Virginia outside of DC. I did spend some time riding English, but that was the extent of my experience around horses. I had a pretty standard upbringing where the expectation was always to obtain good grades while being active in sports and music.
Q: From what I’ve seen on social media, you didn’t grow up in rodeo. Can you expand on how you got started and how it led you to where you are now?
A: The rodeo world is brand new to me within the last year and a half. I went to one rodeo with a friend here in Virginia and thought that was the only rodeo in the area. The following year, something called to me randomly to go out West and experience more of this lifestyle. I had never been interested in travel and hadn’t been on a plane in 6 years, but after my divorce, something changed. I googled “where are the most rodeos,” and it led me to Cody, Wyoming.
I figured if I was going to go out there, I wanted to document some wildlife while in Yellowstone. In the meantime, the Instagram algorithm presented me with one of Kelsen Jones’ reels of a bull bucking in slow motion. That sold me on getting the camera. I wanted to be able to create just that! So before my trip, I bought my camera in May of 2024, went to the local rodeo on June 1st, and tried filming it. I posted some clips and videos online, and it caught the attention of the producers. A few weeks later, I was able to obtain a media pass for the Cody Nite Rodeo while I was out in Wyoming, shot some video, and posted it online, and it has since snowballed from there. Each Rodeo led to the next one, and I just kept documenting my experience with it. I didn’t start taking photos until October of last year, and have found that to be a new challenge to try and learn both.
Q: When did you realize that people were really craving this kind of content on social media?
A: I created a side business that managed social media accounts for businesses, but I never had a public page of my own. I started the page in March of 2024 as a way to get more social media clients, but then once I found Rodeo x it quickly morphed into a rodeo content page. It just started as a way for me to test growth strategies for my clients, but I quickly started gaining a rodeo following. There is obviously a huge expansion of people being curious about the Western lifestyle lately, and I think my page shows how someone who didn’t grow up in the life, or with a camera, can make a shift and do whatever calls to them in life.
Q: Do you have a creative process when it comes to choosing your shots or the setup that goes into getting the perfect shot?
A: My style is definitely just whatever happens in the moment. I love going to rodeos with no plan and just seeing what things stick out to me. More recently, people have been inquiring about hiring me for photos and videos. This is a stretch for me since they usually have a vision that they would like to capture. That’s where I don’t feel as confident in my skills yet. Each time I take it on, though, it’s good practice and helps me develop overall!
Q: In your eyes, what has been your career-defining moment for you?
A: My friend Kait hired me to come out this summer to shoot some pro rodeos as part of her videography team. Once I saw that clips of my footage could hang with the rest of the team in the edits (on a bigger scale), I thought, “Oh, maybe I can do this.”
Q: Are there other photographers who have inspired you in your own work? Or who do you look up to in the rodeo industry?
A: There are so many! For videography, it started with Kelsen Jones and Kait Urmston. For photography. Every day, I think, man, I wish I could see this as Eric Cain sees this! He does more outside of rodeo, but I always get excited when I see his work. As far as rodeo photographers go, Andrew Van Asselt, Kasey Arnett, Alexis Cady, Nathan Meyer, Sydney Hannah, and Blake Monroe. There are too many to name!
Q: In Spanish Fork, you had a run-in with Post Malone. What was that experience like?
A: I don’t normally get star-struck, but that man got me pretty good… It was pretty surreal at first, but then, after hanging out on the chutes with us for a while, it’s easy to see he is just the kindest, most down-to-earth person. I was just beyond impressed by how much effort he put into his fans. He spent HOURS signing hats, taking pictures, and even humoring me, making some content with me. I think another fun aspect was that the Pro Rodeo guys are used to being the main attraction at these events, but when Austin showed up, they all became fans as well. I tried to make sure to get behind-the-scenes clips and pics for some of the guys, too.
Q: Do you have an ultimate bucket list rodeo as far as where you would like to shoot some day?
A: There are so many I have yet to experience, but I guess Pendleton would be one that’s top of the list. Between the history of the event and just the different setup on the grass, I think that would be a moment!
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring rodeo professionals?
A: Find the special moments in the smaller events. It seems like everyone has goals of going to big rodeos and shooting, but some of the best moments I’ve had have been at smaller local things or even practice pens.
Closing Thoughts
I’d just like to say thank you to all of the rodeo photographers, videographers, athletes, and producers who have welcomed me in and allowed me to pursue this. I don’t have any big goals and plans with this journey, but just seeing where the next thing leads. It gives me something to do while I’m not on “mom duty” and allows me to have a creative outlet. I’m very grateful for those who have given me opportunities and have supported me along the way!
You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethsinglesocial or her website at SingleSocialMedia.com.
