Hey guys! I'm excited to start something new here with my very first blog post! To kick things off, I thought it would be fitting to revisit where my journey with photography really began: the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida. This is where I first discovered my passion for capturing the unique bond between horse and rider, along with the highs and lows of competing.
Let’s back up a bit to 2018. I had just graduated from Clemson University (go Tigers!) and moved to Wellington to intern for Equestrian Sport Productions, the company that managed not only WEF, but also the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival and the International Polo Club (now National Polo Club). I had never been to Wellington before and I remember the first few days of my internship at WEF were both overwhelming and exhilarating. The myriad of rings, countless horses, and elite riders—along with their dedicated trainers, grooms, and support teams — all converging in one place was awe-inspiring. I had grown up riding and showing locally, but nothing compared to this. The atmosphere, especially during that first week of competition, was truly special and still gets me even after attending my fifth WEF.
I’ve been to WEF every year since then, but it wasn’t until 2023 when I started to seriously focus on photography and bought my own camera. While managing social media for WEF, I was inspired by the amazing photographers capturing beautiful, artistic images and cool videos. I wanted to bring that same level of artistry to WEF's social media. I had always hated being stuck inside an office, so being at the ring was a dream come true. When I wasn't shooting, I spent time in the media center, and learned so much from Lindsay Brock and Ashley Neuhof about everything from taking photos to culling images and editing in Lightroom. I ended that season feeling a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, I was in the best place in my career, holding a management role I loved and had worked hard to attain. On the other hand, I felt a yearning for more — deeper connections within the sport, opportunities to travel to different shows throughout the year, and a desire to live life on my own terms.
As you all know, I ended up leaving my job and started Elysian Media. I’m incredibly grateful for the years I spent working at Equestrian Sport Productions and the invaluable experiences I gained at WEF, the Tryon International Equestrian Center, and the other sister properties they managed while I was there. The people I met, the lessons I learned, and the adventures I had in this unique world have shaped me into the person I am today and I wouldn’t be here if it weren't for those experiences.
I'm excited to share some of my favorite photos from WEF 2023! Please note, all images were taken for Wellington International.
