Meet the Team || Gulfport

There's no denying that the team of photographers and the office team at Andrew Ryback Photography is extremely vital. Without photographers, and the office to handle things behind the scenes, there would be no photos!

This week, we chatted a bit with some of the photographers who are currently at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic show in Gulfport, Mississippi. They reveal a little bit about their backgrounds in photography and things they love about working for ARP, and producing the best photos they possibly can for you!

1. Introduce yourself a bit! What is your name, and what area do you come from? Jackie: My name is Jackie Moran and I currently am living in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Our city has a cute downtown area off of Lake Michigan.

Desiree: Hi, my name is Desiree Castanon. I’m from southern CA originally, and soon I'll be relocating to Tryon, NC. I am 23 years old.

Lisa: Lisa Thomas-DuFresne, from Connecticut, long past of horses, photography and fitness.

Jordan: Jordan, from Buffalo, NY

2. How did you first get into horse show photography?

Lisa: Since competing in equine events in my youth I have been interested in photographing the events, always thinking what a great job. Now 30 years later after competing in my last horse show I’m shooting the shows everyday.

Jackie: Started totally by accident. Back in college I needed to fill some credit hours and took a class on the darkroom and developing film. Obviously we needed photos to work with so I started taking photos of the horse I had as well as some of the horses the trainer I worked for had. Kind of spiraled from there.

3. What is your favorite thing to photograph at ARP?

Jordan: Hunter derbies or small ponies, as well as adorable shots of people hugging their horses after a good round.

Desiree: My favorite thing to shoot is an area with lots of greenery. I love to include trees or bushes in my photos I think it brings a lot of life to the photo. My favorite thing to shoot at ARP so far has been 3’3’’ green hunters. I love seeing all the horse learn how to navigate the Hunter ring.

4. How long have you worked with ARP?

Jackie: Started around 2016....I did have to take a year off as I did have some senior animals at home that needed to be taken care of.

Lisa: Since Jan 2021 I have been with ARP, and before that I was trying to find my groove within the industry and with other companies. I couldn’t see myself being comfortable with any of them. I know if I was going to make this new career path work, that travels, taking me away from home for weeks or months at a time, I would have to feel like I was at home. The job comes with long hours, sometimes like groundhog day, shooting fence after fence. When you go back to the living quarters where the people you work with are now also the people you live/room with...that can be stressful. The hard part sometimes is finding your own space to decompress. Lucky, I have had great roommates or house mates.

5. What is your favorite location you have photographed so far with ARP?

Jordan: While WEC Ocala can't be beat facility wise, I really loved Traverse City.

Desiree: I just started working for ARP at this show. Gulfport has been a perfect show to learn the ways of ARP. I love working for Andy. It has been a blast. I’ve learned a lot and I feel that I have melted in to their routine pretty quickly.

7. What do you like to do on your days off?

Jackie: Well...this winter it's been roaming around the different areas we've been located. I've gotten to see so many different things it's been fun.

Lisa: While being away in new places it is great to take your days off and enjoy an adventure, and yes it is with the housemates that makes this FUN. The experience has been one great adventure after another. As crazy as it sounds I pack up my camera and can't wait to shoot something FUN on those days off.

8. What's one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring photographer?

Jordan: Practice, practice, practice!

Desiree: My advice to a first time photographer is to practice, practice, practice, and don’t be afraid to reach out to fellow photographers. Facebook groups are also a great way to learn and get advice. I would also advise to take an online course. Their are so many out there that can really change your photography game.

Jackie: Never stop learning! There will always be more to learn as you delve into photography...whether it's new equipment, techniques, disciplines, and such.....you can never stop growing in this field.

Lisa: One thing I suggest, if you have little experience even up to expert...be open to the idea that ‘we all need work, we could always improve.’ Being with many photographers all the time I enjoy asking for feedback. Sometimes hard to hear, but much needed. I hope to improve, having personal growth with my photography and better photos for ARP customers.