DARREN CARROLL + THE AMERICAN RODEO

April 19, 2023
    It’s been a while since Darren Carroll had been on the rodeo beat, and it was wonderful to be back on it thanks to a new client, Teton Ridge. As the presenting sponsor of The American Western Weekend in Arlington, TX, last month, Darren was brought in to photograph a series of portraits of all the competitors, and then to stick around and photograph the nightly performances over the course of four days.

    Darren said "to borrow a phrase, this certainly wasn’t my first rodeo. That came in 1998, when Sports illustrated sent me to cover the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. I'd never been to a rodeo before, much less the NFR, but I quickly fell in love with everything about the sport—from the event itself to the participants to the lifestyle surrounding the event. The NFR became a staple on my schedule, with the magazine sending me out to Las Vegas every December without a story or a writer, just the simple instruction to bring back a couple of good pictures for its front-of-the-book “Leading Off” section of two-page spreads. I guess I did something right, because that pattern continued for a dozen years, and in the midst of it, in 2002 I was named the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo Photographer of the Year. And yes, I have the belt buckle to prove it!"

    "Things being what they were in the editorial business, eventually sending a photographer on a 5- or 10- day shoot without the justification of a story became a non-starter for the magazine, and my Decembers started looking a little different. (In the ‘Whenever one door closes, another one opens” department, the next year I was hired to shoot Dick’s Sporting Goods' annual golf buyers guide and online catalog, and for the next 10 years that occupied the NFR’s former place on my schedule)."

    "I may have gotten out of the water, but always seemed to be dipping my toe back in—be it with a 5-day documentary assignment for Sports Illustrated on the itinerant lives of rodeo cowboys, a story on a school for aspiring rodeo clowns and bullfighters for ESPN, a portrait shoot for SI Kids, corporate work for my (then) local county's Chamber of Commerce, or a personal project on Charreria, the Mexican national sport from which American rodeo derives many of its traditions. So while I guess you can say I never really left, I was always hoping for the opportunity to dive back in head-first. Thanks to the folks at Teton Ridge, I was able to."

    see more of Darren's work here!

    ROLLING LOUD + LINCOLN DURHAM

    April 1, 2025
    ✨ Lincoln Durham - 3D Character Design + Animation - Rolling Loud Music Festival ✨ Lincoln Durham created this dynamic sizzle reel showcasing some of the 2D and 3D animations he developed for the Rolling Loud Music Festival across various cities, in collaboration with Zellus. These animations were primarily used for social media promotions and as NFTs to further engage festival fans. The original artwork, provided by an undisclosed artist, served as still illustrations that Lincoln brought to life by adding motion and sound. For the 3D scenes, he sculpted and rigged characters inspired by the 2D illustrations, using them as a foundation to build out a story line based on direction from Zellus. Lincoln’s ability to seamlessly blend 2D and 3D animation, along with his expertise in motion and sound design, brings energy and depth to every project. His work for Rolling Loud is just one example of how he transforms static illustrations into immersive, high-impact visuals. Looking to elevate your next project with dynamic animation? Consider Lincoln for your upcoming creative needs!

    ERICKSON SENIOR LIVING + AMY MIKLER

    March 25, 2025
    Capturing Life’s Best Moments with Amy Mikler For lifestyle photographer Amy Mikler , people will always be her favorite subjects. Among them, children and seniors hold a special place in her heart. “People will always be my favorite subjects, and kids and seniors are perhaps my two favorite people groups to work with. Possibly because they share some similar characteristics,” she shares. “I never know what they will say, they know how to enjoy life's simple pleasures, and often have a quirky fashion sense. They are also unapologetically honest and learn how to laugh at themselves, which keeps the set fresh and endlessly interesting.” Having grown up surrounded by vibrant, full-of-life relatives, Amy understands that aging doesn’t mean slowing down. A few years ago, she put this belief into action with a “golden years” test shoot, built around the idea that laughter is a lifelong necessity. The result? A high-energy, joy-filled session where seniors enthusiastically took on cannonballs, dancing, and even water fights. “I’m not sure who laughed more—me or them,” Amy recalls.

    BEATLES SUNDAY NIGHT + ERIC CASH

    March 18, 2025
    Weaving History and Storytelling into Every Brushstroke Eric Cash’s work is defined by meticulous attention to detail, a deep understanding of history and culture, and an ability to weave personal narratives into each piece. His art invites viewers to explore rich stories and unique visual experiences, blending technical expertise with a genuine passion for storytelling. With this approach, Eric brings a distinctive and thoughtful style to every project, making him a fantastic resource for original commercial work. The painting Sunday Night (60” x 48 1/2”) captures a typical American family watching the Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964. The scene includes a mother, father, two girls (one visiting), and a younger brother, each with distinct characteristics that hint at their roles and reactions to the historic event. The visiting girl is holding a Meet the Beatles album and a Life magazine spread, while the brother is trying to filter out the girls' excitement with his hand over his ear. The father, uninterested, waits for "real talent" to appear, and the mother seems unsure, reflecting the general adult sentiment at the time. The artist draws from personal experience and memories, incorporating items like his mother's sewing basket and grandmother's tension lamp as personal Easter eggs within the painting. The TV guide and props, like Anacin and Kent cigarettes, help tell the dad’s story, with subtle nods to the 1964 cultural context. A Mercury mission headline is included in the background to tie in real-world events from that day.