Liz Stabbert Photography

Helix Oregon, Heart of the Country Rodeo 09

2009-06-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

The first time I saw photos from the Helix rodeo I had one question: where is this place?? These were some up close and personal shots of some seriously rank broncs! The photographer (Mackenzie Williams) told me about this little tiny town tucked away in the rolling farmland north of Pendleton and convinced me it was worth the five hour drive for me to get there. That first year I took one of my favorite shots (ever!) which I named Quantum 9 after the Helix rodeo arena. The road trip out to Helix (hitting every other rodeo and stop of interest along the way) has become a tradition for me and has yet to disappoint. Here are some of my favorites from this year:

The complete Helix Rodeo '09 Gallery

Next stop: Dayton, WA!

NWSBA Mother's Day Celebration

2009-05-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to find words for the awesome time I had at the North West Snaffle Bit Association's Mother's Day Celebration show earlier this month since I got home. Honestly, I'm failing. Fun? Of course it was fun! Gorgeous horses, riders dressed to the nines, the beautiful backdrop of Donida Farms...fun just doesn't seem to do it. I've decided to let the photos do the talking (jumpers and reiners and pleasure oh my!):

For more of the fun check out the full galleries of NWSBA's Mother's Day Celebration at Donida Farms

HeART Of The Horse Art Show

2009-04-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month I had the privilege of showing my work in the HeART of the Horse art show benefiting Save A Forgotten Equine. Everyone had big expectations for the show, the first that SAFE has put on, and it ended up being a fantastic event thanks to tireless work by some awesome SAFE volunteers! The event was held at the Abbey Ballroom in Tacoma which was a fun and unique location.

I have shown my artwork in the past, back in my days as a traditional media artist, but this was my first time showing my photos. It was a fun experience for me and made me stop and look at my photos as art pieces and not just photos for the horses owner (if that makes sense lol).

Here's what I brought to the show:

"An Esprit"

"Dusk"

The two Freisian images (which don't have names yet) are ones that I haven't posted or really shown at all (except to the owners of the horses who loved them!) and they were a big hit! In fact, both of the framed 11x14 prints I brought sold! Which is awesome since 50% of the sale goes right to SAFE! All total I sold three 11x14 prints and the auction items I brought all went for a good amount, too. All in all I had a great time mingling with fellow horse lovers, listening to great music, munching on good food and, of course, helping raise money for SAFE!

For more info (and a way better write up) on the event check out Monica Bretherton's northwest equestrian blog , Horsebytes. It even includes a bit about me!

Now, I did get scolded by Jamie at the event for moving to Monroe and not coming out to see the horses ( I know I've been slacking). So expect to see some photos of the SAFE rescue horses here in the near future!

PS I am planning on offering limited edition art prints of all of these images, let me know if you're interested! liz (at) lizstabbertphoto.com

Introducing Our New Referral Program!

2009-04-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

Word of mouth means a lot in the horse community and my business has grown considerably thanks to your referrals of friends and family. Now I've created a way to say thank you!

Now every time a new customer schedules a session with Liz Stabbert Photography and mentions your name, you receive a $50 credit towards your next print purchase! Its as easy as that. Use the referral program as often as you like, your credits will continue to be combined.

Nitty Gritty Details:

You do not need to have had a portrait session with me in the past to use the program, I appreciate referrals from any admirers of my work! Credits count towards prints or any items available through our gallery, including gifts, photo books, canvases and downloads (yes downloads too!). Credits can be used for existing images or saved for a future portrait session. Your credit is awarded at the completion of the new customers session. Currently, credits must be used with email orders, but soon our galleries will be equipped for easy to use gift certificates (stay tuned).

This is something I've been wanting to do for a while and am excited to get the program started!

(for those of you who are looking at this post and going "hello, where are the pictures?!" [you know you were thinking it!] Never fear, next post will hopefully be tomorrow and will have more equine photo goodness!)

Feeling Broncy?

2009-03-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

I sent in my membership renewal to the Pro-West Rodeo Association a couple weeks ago and have been dreaming of warm weather and broncs ever since. Most people, when asked what their favorite rodeo event is, will tell you either barrel racing or bulls. Both of those events are fine (and tons of fun to shoot) but what really gets my blood pumping is the broncs! There's just something about those "wild" and amazingly athletic horses that I can't get enough of!

One of my favorite places to shoot my favorite event is a little bitty rodeo out in Helix Oregon. The all roughstock event really serves as a buck out for the Flying Diamond family of brands young stock. The arena is small (read: up close and personal!) the stock is rank and, well, here are the results:

I have a weakness for flaxen maned sorrels with a lot of chrome <3.

Two years later I still have a crush on this horse. Went by the name of Sodo Mojo (note to his stock contractor: if he ever needs a place to retire, give me a ring!).

If you've followed my work for any amount of time you'll know this one. RC Landingham, the rider, was only 16 at the time of this shot! And yes, he made 8.

So, anyone else humming rodeo anthems? I certainly am ready for my fix!

The Nifty 50mm

2009-03-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

A while ago I broke down and purchased a lens that had been on my want list for a while, the Canon 50mm f1.8. I'd been wanting a lens that was wider than my 70-200mm f2.8 for pet portraits and preferably with out the painful price tag. I'd heard good things about the 50mm and thought I'd give it a try. I picked one up on ebay for all of $80 (a drop in the bucket in photography land) and have been having a blast with it!

My first victim was Maxie who resides at my parents house. Max doesn't actually belong to my folks, but he is at their house enough he might as well. Its fitting, because his owner, David, isn't actually my uncle but hangs around enough he might as well be.

Max is almost 9 now and has a bit of grey showing his age. I think its just adorable!

Like a lot of cattle dogs he is OBSESSED with fetch.

Two trouble makers ready for me to stop taking pictures and throw the ball (and also a lawn chair)

Stay tuned for more pet portraits in the near future!!

If you'd like information on my pet portrait sessions visit my services page or fill out the form below! :)

AFA Farashah

2009-02-21T10:34:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of going out to the amazing R.O. Lervick Arabians farm to photograph the beautiful Arabian filly AFA Farashah owned by Vanessa Smith before she made the trip down to Scottsdale. This was my first trip to R.O. Lervick Arabians so I couldn't resist stopping to drool over their gorgeous stallion Cytosk+++ (ok so I was actually lost in the barn, its a big place! but its still fun to drool) Arabian photographer Scott Trees has described Arabians as "the high fashion models of the horse world" and this filly didn't disappoint! I could have stayed all day shooting, but Fara, being a yearling and donning a fresh full body clip on a chilly February morning had different ideas. *sigh* maybe next time ;)

Now thats not to say I didn't get plenty of pics of this gorgeous girl! Here are a few faves:

Vanessa and Fara should be back from Scottsdale by now and I hope they had a great time!

Light and Horses (2-09)

2009-02-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I was home on my lunch hour and saw this beautiful sunset light playing in the manes of my pasture buddies Rusty and Khaiber...I couldn't help but run out with my camera to get some shots.

Part of this post is to test out my new blog layout and see how it works with BIG BEAUTIFUL photos ;) What do you think?

Think Spring!

2009-01-25T16:55:00.000-08:00

I thought about sharing some more of my recent snow/flood photos, but if you're anything like me, you've had quite enough of winter! Spring really is just around the corner ...at least thats what I keep telling myself! Nothing says spring to me like adorable newborn foals playing out in the pasture. I've already heard of a few early babies being born, so keep those little ones warm and keep your hopes up for spring!

Here are a couple of my faves from last spring when I was riding at Painted Valley Farm in Poulsbo WA.

On a side note, I'm considering putting together a three part "baby package" for new foals. The package would include three sessions: one as a newborn, as a weanling and as a yearling. The owner would receive the usual free 8x10 or web resolution image with each session, as well as a three image (one from each session) framed print after the completion of the yearling session.

No price tag yet, just bouncing ideas around. Would that be something that you all would be interested in? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Presenting- Pet Portraits!

2009-01-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased to announce the addition of pet portraits to the list of services offered at Liz Stabbert Photography! While I have been having a blast photographing horses, I felt that the other four legged family members have been slightly neglected. Pet portrait sessions will be fun and candid (for your and your pet) to get the best out of your favorite companion!

To celebrate this new addition, for a limited time all pet portrait sessions will be 20% off! Contact me for details or to schedule a session!

Visit our Pet Portrait section under Services for more information and rates!

Snow Bound

2009-01-06T21:54:00.000-08:00

There was very little enjoyable about the weather we've had out here over the last couple of weeks. Everyone I've talked to says they've never seen so much snow here and over such a long period of time. Luckily I had the horses and Sammy to remind me that snow is FUN! At least for a little while. Heres a couple of my favorite shots I took before running back in the house to keep warm:

The boys (Khaiber and Rusty) enjoying a romp in the snow.

Wut?

Sammy had a blast in the snow! Unfortunately I think her favorite thing about the weather was the frozen horse poop *sigh*

On a blog related note, expect to see more here in the future! I have neglected this blog in the past but am planning a lot more photo sharing, sneak peeks, and more, so check back!

Gift Certificate Sale

2008-12-01T22:03:00.000-08:00

The holidays are just around the corner, do you have a gift planned for your horse loving significant other or friends? Give the gift that lasts forever, a portrait of their favorite horse or pet! There are still a few slots available for holiday portrait sessions or you can take advantage of our great gift certificate sale!

For a limited time you can get a $25 gift certificate for $20, $50 for $40, or $100 for $80! These gift certificates are good for any service we offer, including horse and pet portrait sessions, prints, and art canvases from your photos!

For more information on the services we offer, check out our "Services" page. To purchase a gift certificate, set up a session, or if you have any questions please contact me!

Emerald Downs opening day!

2007-04-28T23:50:00.000-07:00

Well I made it out for Emerald Downs racetrack's opening day. I was covering the event for photojornalism and since its been a long time since I've been to the track. I got one of the free fleece blankets they were giving away, enjoyed the horses ... I even had my caricature drawn, hey it was free, why not!

Thoroughbred horses are beautiful animals and I enjoyed having a chance to try my lens in the challenging situation of the night races. Heres a few of the shots I came away with.

All and all it was a fun time. I plan on going back sometime this summer for the day races that go on during the weekend. Maybe I'll even pick horses that win next time ;)