I don’t do people photography.  That has been a mainstay of my photographic endeavors for many years.  Not because I don’t like taking pictures of people, but rather because my focus has remained on nature and has met with success in that arena.  And this has left me with a rather daunting lack of experience when it comes to photographing people, thus my unflinching comfort with ignoring that area.  At least until now.

Those who I consider dear friends, Denise, Kurt and Keigan, recently invited me to a livestock event, the Waskom FFA Jackpot Show, and their invitation came via the fact that one of them—Keigan—is pursuing collegiate entry by way of a FFA show cow, the calf named Bella.

Thus begins my tale, both linguistic and photographic.

This is about a boy, Keigan, and his cow, Bella.  But it’s also about photography, FFA, family, friends and college.  Most importantly, it’s about life.

I will learn about taking pictures of people and livestock in the same moments that I decide to share those moments with you.  I will learn to cherish and protect my beloveds in the same moments that I share those moments with you.  And I will learn to understand livestock and farm life at the same moments that I share those moments with you.

So come with me, if you will, on this journey:

Dear friends recently asked me to attend a livestock show with them, most notably because one of them is showing a calf hoping to place well as means to earn university passage.  This is their story.

Above: Keigan and Bella leaving the Waskom FFA Jackpot Show in Marshall, TX.  More to come from this show, not to mention from their ongoing journey.