Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Wadsworth.
Hi Liza, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When people ask where I got my start, I never really know how to answer because there are so many moments that feel like the beginning. I think it really started with my Mimi, who encouraged me to take photos with her camera when I was young. She would let me carry her “nice” camera on road trips, print every photo I took, and scrapbook them with me. I remember one day she took me out to photograph our horses for a county fair contest, and before we went inside, I took a photo of her beside the barn. Little did I know that photo would later be used for memorials. When she passed away from cancer in 2016, I begged my Papa to let me have her camera and started taking it with me to the barn to photograph every horse I could. I taught myself from there, eventually experimenting with video as well.
I graduated high school early and ultimately chose not to continue with college. I was spending most of my time at the barn and beginning to get paid for photography and video work, so my parents really had to trust me and trust the process. In May of 2022, and I created Cow Pony Productions to share the photos and videos I was making. I knew it could become something, but I had no idea how quickly it would grow or where it would take me. Some of my first paid work was photographing sale horses and documenting a friend’s family branding, and as I started working with horse trainers and businesses, I realized I could combine photography, video, and social media to tell stories in a much bigger way.
Since then, so many people have taken chances on me, supported me, and opened doors that have led me to places and opportunities I never could have imagined. Today I get to travel, photograph horses, work behind the scenes at major events, and tell stories for businesses, ranches, and people throughout the western and equine industries. But the part of this career that means the most to me isn’t necessarily the travel or the big events, it’s the people. Somehow, this career has brought some of the most meaningful people into my life, and many have become like family. If you had told 15-year-old me that this is what my life would look like now, I would have been incredibly excited, but I don’t think I would have believed you. I’m glad I didn’t know exactly where it would lead; I just kept following the next opportunity, and somehow the right doors kept opening at the right time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A lot of the challenges have simply come with starting and growing my own business. There have been plenty of moments where I’ve had to learn as I go, make mistakes, and figure out what works for me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a western photographer and videographer. When people ask me what I do, it usually turns into a long list because I get to work with horse trainers, ranchers, horse shows, makers, veterinarians, equine events, and so many other neat people throughout the western industry. I get to tell people’s stories, create social media and marketing content, photograph special moments, capture equine sales sessions, cover horse shows, and the list goes on. I don’t just photograph the industry, though, I also live it. I spend a lot of time on ranches and compete in Reined Cow Horse events with my horse, Allen. On my most recent trip, I rode into the mountains and camped alongside the people and horses I was there to photograph. I think being a part of the lifestyle myself gives me a perspective that makes my work more authentic.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I made big strides when I attended a photography workshop. I know it can be a competitive field but all the people I have met at workshops have become great friends and people I feel I can go to for advice.
I also learned a lot from second shooting under another well established photographer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cowponyproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowponyproductions?stkn=MXZld2h6cG15bmp0eg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EE4dKHjKa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
