There’s a certain thrill that comes with jackpot photography. The dust, the adrenaline, the sound of a horses hooves coming down the alley, the riders laser focus…it’s raw, unscripted energy. And then there’s me, standing behind my camera, praying I haven’t left my lens cap on, or that that cloud stays where it is long enough for the horse to get around first and second barrel so I don’t have to be fumbling with my settings between barrels.
Sounds glamorous, right?
Well… here’s the part you don’t see on Instagram:
I don’t just shoot jackpots. I also work a full-time desk job. Yep—Monday through Friday, I’m parked at a computer, answering emails, sitting in meetings, and staring at spreadsheets that definitely don’t move as fast as barrel horses. By the time the weekend rolls around, I’m packing up my gear, loading up on caffeine, and heading out to an arena somewhere in Alberta.
And let me tell you: balancing the two is equal parts exhausting and rewarding.
The Juggle Is Real
Here’s the reality of being both a 9-to-5er and a photographer:
• Early mornings and late nights are the norm.
Sometimes I’m downloading memory cards at 1 a.m., only to wake up at 6:30 for the office. Ice Capps aren’t a luxury, they’re a lifeline.
• Editing doesn’t magically happen.
When I get home from an event, or a session, my camera bag sits by the door like a needy toddler reminding me, “Hey, your work isn’t done yet.” So editing often happens in chunks—on lunch breaks, after supper, or in stolen moments before bed.
• Personal life? What’s that?
Trying to squeeze in time with my partner, tend to my needy senior dog (who hates being left alone), keep my house in one piece, and still show up for myself? Some days, it feels impossible. And honestly—that’s okay.
Why I Keep Saying Yes to Photography
Because despite the long hours and the juggling act, photography fills a space in me that my desk job never could. It’s the creativity, the action, the community, and the chance to capture fleeting moments that mean the world to someone else.
That one photo of a heart horse who’s days might be numbered, or the old retired barrel horse that is now teaching the kids to love the sport as much as mom does?
That’s worth every late-night editing session.
My Tips for Making It Work
If you’re also balancing photography with a full-time job, here are a few things that keep me (mostly) sane:
- Batch edit whenever possible. Don’t bounce between sessions—focus on one jackpot until it’s done.
- Set clear timelines with clients. Being upfront about delivery times helps lower your stress and manage expectations.
- Automate what you can. Use tools for galleries, invoices, and emails so you’re not reinventing the wheel every gig.
- Don’t be afraid to say no. If your schedule is jammed, it’s better to pass on a job than to drown under the weight of too much.
- Celebrate the small wins. Every time I deliver a gallery and a rider messages me, “This shot means so much”—that’s fuel to keep going.
Final Thoughts
Jackpot photography isn’t just about capturing riders and horses—it’s about capturing the heart of a sport, a community, and sometimes even someone’s break through run after a long run of nothing but struggle . Balancing it with a full-time job is messy, imperfect, and exhausting—but it’s also deeply worth it.
Here at The Rustic Collective, I’m learning that life isn’t about waiting for the perfect balance. It’s about leaning into the chaos, finding your rhythm, and remembering why you started in the first place.
Because at the end of the day, even if life feels a little blurry—those are the moments worth capturing.