Interview with Show Champions owner Alan Browarny
Do you have any activities at the NWSS that you recommend checking out?
I certainly like to walk around the trade show exhibits to see what they have up there to potentially buy.
What is the biggest challenge of being the photographer for NWSS?
I guess being the super bowl of livestock events and cattle shows you definitely have to make sure that you have your “A” game on and are consistently getting the best shot of every animal you photograph. There are also a lot of events going on at the same time, and you have to make sure that you cover these events consistently and give them all the same level of quality service. To do so we make sure that we are all well rested and have group meetings to ensure that all our bases are covered, as well as making sure we have all the right people in the right places.
What do you enjoy most about picturing the livestock at NWSS?
The Denver Broncos weren’t able to bring the super bowl home, but we are able to see a lot of our own super bowl champions of the livestock in the next couple of weeks, and the opportunity to photograph the best of the best is huge.
What advice do you have for exhibitors when they come to the backdrop?
Listen to the photographer and be patient. Sometimes an animal doesn’t set up right away, but in reality even an animal that doesn’t’ walk into it right away only takes a couple more minutes to get the right shot. Work as a team with the photographer and the attention-getter, because at the end of the day the only thing left after this event is the picture that you take.
What is your favorite aspect of being involved in livestock photography?
Getting to meet so many people – the livestock industry has always attracted really good people that are family oriented and hardworking. People have good ethics, and the work hard play hard mentality fits into my personality well.
Livestock photography is growing right now; do you have any advice for upcoming photographers?
Crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. My advice to start up photographers is to not take on something that is over your head, and get to know the fundamentals of your equipment. In this industry in particular, I see a lot of people that buy cameras and know livestock very well, but they drop the ball when it comes to the fundamentals of photography. So get to know your equipment to provide a better service.
What is Show Champions Favorite part of National Western?
We have different photographers that have a passion for different species and different breeds. The yards being unique to National Western is certainly a highlight. I personally enjoy picturing the champions on the hill.