On Tuesday, the Ohio Quarter Horse Association announced a new partnership with Shane Rux Photography for the 2014 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Rux, sat down with GoHorseShow for an in-depth interview and we found out how he feels about being the new photographer for one of the most prestigious events in our industry. Rux already has big plans for some technological improvements that should make the picture process more customer-friendly.
Q: Congratulations on being selected as the new head photographer for the Congress! How does it feel?
A: It is exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I found out last Friday when I was shooting Show For Dough in Tunica, Mississippi. I was negotiating back and forth with Scott Myers (Executive Director of Ohio Quarter Horse Association) and we finalized everything on Friday. I was confident that I had a shot but I wasn’t sure who else had submitted a proposal.
Q: Do you have any experience shooting at the Congress?
A: I’ve shot at the Congress since 1992 helping Harold Campton and then
Jeff Kirkbride took over in 1998 and I have helped him every year. This
year, our roles will be switched and Jeff will actually be helping me
and will be shooting some of the events and classes. I will still remain
at the backdrop which is my comfort area so people will be able to
easily find me.
Q: Everyone assumes that this will be very lucrative for you, but it’s not that simple, is it?
A: Many of people don’t realize that we are not given any money up front. We provide a sponsorship and actually give them money and provide all the photographs and media that they need for the event. I have to pay for all the expenses of hiring three or four extra photographers, equipment, hotel rooms for the help, etc. It is a huge gamble because when you add up all the days of the Congress and the fact we only get money from the pictures we take–we have to be careful with our expenses so we can make a profit. We are already in the hole before we even start taking pictures.
Q: Will you offer anything new for this year, for example, a quicker turnaround time?
A: We are hoping to have all the photos posted on-line within 24 hours and the clients will be able to have them within 48 hours at their doorstep. We will also have the self viewing stations at the Congress where we are going to make the viewing experience more user friendly. We will probably have folders on the computer listed in alphabetical order of the horse’s registered names and back numbers. All the photos that are taken of each horse and rider in individual event classes like the western riding, trail, and showmanship will be in those folders. Also, immediately after the photographs are taken, they can be emailed for ads or articles. I’m hiring people to specifically handle the graphics, and sending and mailing photos at the show. Also, the prices of the photos will be comparable to last year with some show
specials and deals offered–basically the more photos you buy the bigger
discounts the customer will be able to take advantage of.
Q: For people that aren’t aware of your background, how did you get involved with horses and taking pictures?
A: Well, it definitely wasn’t planned. I was a new police officer in Wisconsin and met Harold Campton through doing carpentry work on the side and Harold was remodeling an old Victorian home. He liked my work ethic and asked me to go on the road with him and that’s how it all got started. I found out I liked the lifestyle and all the people involved in the horse industry. I don’t have a background in horses and I have never showed, but I have grown to love them and my fiance, Julie Thompson trains horses for a living in California.
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: I look forward to creating memorable photos for everyone at the Congress and look forward to seeing everyone there!
Q: Thanks Shane! We will check in with you at the Congress and see how everything is going.
A: You’re welcome and please stop by and we can do a follow up!
