How does one become a PRCA Certified photographer?

[asiemer]

I have been clicking photos for some while now. I think it all started when I was in the military while in Panama. I had a bag full of disposable cameras that I would take with me everywhere. I have tried to combine photography with something else I love ever since.

This weekend I went to my first rodeo. I have wanted to get into horses pretty much all my life and finally got to a point that I could afford to introduce them to my family (6 kids, slew of dogs and various other animals). We now have 3 horses, 8 cowboy hats, 8 big belt buckles, and 16 boots! We went to the rodeo...I found what I want to combine my photography with.

I am currently shooting a Canon 40d with a 70-300mm f4-5.6, a 50mm f1.4, and a 17-85mm f4-5.6. I have a 430ex flash. Needless to say I was a bit shocked at the conditions I was shooting in when I found myself in the rain with really crappy lighting shooting from long distances. Argh...(still got a few good shots in though!).

Any ways...I am hooked. I am already on my way to getting better glass and a way bigger flash.

With the equipment out of the way (eventually) my next question is how does one become PRCA certified so that I can shoot at some of the bigger rodeos? I was at the Bakersfield rodeo this last weekend. I looked at the shots that the photographer for that event has taken and I a know that I am up to the task by comparison.

Any words of wisdom?

[FlyingPhotog]

Get your name and best stuff in front of the organizers, publications, advertisers (do rodeos use ad agencies?), competitors, etc...

Whatever crack you can find, slip in and show off! Good Luck...

I think it's great you found your muse.

[HammerCope]

First put together 15-20 of your best rodeo photographs(indoors, outdoors, action and candids). Then send them to the gal that the head of the photographers. OH dont forget get the check. It's either $200 or $300 for dues. Then if you get excepeted start calling contractors and producers to start trying to get shows. The PRCA may also call you to cover a perf from time to time. Therre is no guarantee you will get any shows. These are the steps I was told by the woman that was in charge a few years back. Hope it helps.

If your looking for a good flash check out the Norman 400B. It's a great strobe for just getting started and arenas that you cant put up ovver head strobes.