The South Dakota Cowgirl

Life on the Ranch Through My Lens

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2019 Brings New Opportunities for All

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Growing up, my mother made sure I had a healthy dose of “doing lots of things”.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to nurture my favorite things, it was more that she was determined to raise a well-rounded individual.

I took voice lessons, piano lessons, art, gymnastics and dance. I gave up most of all it for my horses when I got to high school and don’t regret that one bit.  Occasionally I still hammer on the ivories, and of course, I’ve taken up playing the guitar. I’m known to draw or sketch something from time to time, but right now, my chosen, preferred art medium, is horsemanship and photography.

The two overlap in so many ways. Ways I hadn’t even considered until I threw a leg over my mare Cosmo this week and started thinking about how the two might overlap And you know what conclusion I reached? 

These three things make both a great horseman, and a great photographer: 

Feel

Timing

Balance 

You gain those three things by doing these: Observing, Remembering, and Comparing — as said by the Great Alexander Bell. 

the branding pen, photography mentorship, business mentorship, private mentorship, the south dakota cowgirl, south dakota cowgirl photography

All those things my mom had me doing helped me develop some feel, timing and balance, even though I didn’t know it at the time. I wasn’t yet a practitioner of observing, remembering and comparing.  

My experience with horsemanship, and photography — along with the crazy twists and turns life takes along the way, however, have helped me become a better practitioner of all those things. I have also since learned of “awareness”.

When you’re aware, your feel, timing and balance take on new meaning — it’s almost as if you have a super power to read people, to read a situation, to read the mind of your colt. You become aware of the effect you have on beings around you – be they human, equine or canine: are you big and imposing?  Are you doing too much; trying too hard? Is your colt tight? Is he sore? Is he distracted? Is he with you? Is your dog paying attention? Is he running you, or are you running him?

I hope you’re still reading because, I’ve said all of the above to get to this: 

For years I’ve been asked when I’m going to start teaching photography and for years the answer has been, “I’m not ready”.   But if I continue to say that, I’ll never be ready, so I’ve decided today is the day.

I’ve always enjoyed helping people fulfill their dreams and goals — I spent countless years teaching riding and horsemanship – I loved it. And, if I’m being honest — I’ve got the tools — feel, timing, balance, awareness to read a situation, and I know I can share them with you!

Am I the best technical shooter on the planet? Not a chance. My friend Chris is a waaaay better teacher and technical shooter than me. 

But I can likely answer most of your questions about how your camera works. Doesn’t mean I follow those rules, however. 

Am I the best social media maven on the planet? Not a chance.

But I can share with you what I’ve learned as an influencer and photographer! 

Am I the best businesswoman on the planet? Not a chance.

But I can share what I’ve learned about valuing your time and your skills and finding your niche!

So….

I’m going to offer 1/1 private mentoring sessions, via Skype.

You may pay by the month (The Branding Pen), or buy a block (Wide Open Spaces). 

Additionally, as long as we’re on a team, you’ll gain access to a private Facebook Group, where we will share our struggles, our images, take part in photo challenges, learn together, cheer each other on, and gain knowledge with others! 

And if that’s not a fit for you — maybe what I’m about to share below would be more your style… 

“Branding” 

A Women’s Photography and Business Retreat

A western weekend to refocus your photography business and up your social media game!
  • April 5-7, 2019
  • The Dx Ranch — Armstrong County, SD.
  • $600 — includes all food and lodging.
  • Limited to 6 women – First-come-first serve. I will establish a waiting list (because life happens) and I plan to choose at least one more weekend this year to accommodate everyone!
  • Additionally — You’ll get 6 months of access to the private Facebook Group.

 

 

[RF_CONTEST contest=’13156′]

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

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Comments

  1. Tana says

    This is perfect! And I think I need to sign up for a session! Not sure I shared link correctly or comment, as it kept kicking me out!

    Reply

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