The South Dakota Cowgirl

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Branding, Bonding and Beautiful Views: A Participant’s Story

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Hi, I’m Caroline Arendt and I’m a wife, a horse girl and a brand new business owner living in Northern Colorado. Caroline Arendt Creative helps small business and agricultural brands share their unique stories online using social media, web design, content and copywriting. Along with my business, I own a lifestyle blog focusing on making life a little easier for readers. Post topics include life as a freelancer, tips, my favorite things and all things western lifestyle.

 

Branding, Bonding and Beautiful Views: My Experience at the South Dakota Cowgirl Photography Workshop

I love being behind the camera and getting to share with others what I see through my viewfinder, but I wouldn’t call myself a pro photographer. I follow so many talented photographers that it seems almost intimidating to put myself out there creatively like that. I had met Jenn last winter at the first-ever Art of the Cowgirl Event in my then-hometown, Phoenix, Arizona. Ever since, I’ve followed along and admired her work. When I saw that she was hosting a workshop within driving distance of my now-state, Colorado, I jumped at the chance. It seemed as if the stars had aligned for the opportunity so I didn’t hesitate and paid my deposit.

The workshop was located at The Perry Ranch, in Leoti (pronounced Lee-OH-Tah), Kansas, which is in southwest Kansas if you don’t have a map handy. Southwest Kansas isn’t everyone’s flavor, but I appreciate the beauty of the sprawling plains and bright blue sky and value the rural part of the Heartland that helps put food on my family’s and many other American families tables. Since I grew up outside of Kansas City, Kansas it was nice to be in my home state for a weekend.

When I arrived on Friday, I already knew the weekend would be one for the books. On top of all the learnings, I got to network and befriend some of the most sincere and badass women in agriculture. They all had unique stories and backgrounds and I think all our personalities meshed really well. I learned so much not only about photography, but also about my personal brand and how to build on it, which was good because I was in the slow process of taking my side hustle to my full-time hustle!

caroline arendt, south dakota cowgirl photography workshop, perry quarter horses

 

caroline arendt, south dakota cowgirl photography workshop, perry quarter horses, jason perry

Out of the three different photography sessions, I’d say the golden hour session with Jason and Perry Quarter Horse’s stud, Bob Hes Quick AKA Romeo was my favorite. I may be a little biased — I’m a sucker for the golden hour and good horses, there, I said it. The sunset that Saturday evening was nothing short of spectacular, the dry fall grass enhanced the rays of sunlight. The cherry on top was a truck driving by, kicking up dust to diffuse the warm light.

caroline arendt, south dakota cowgirl photography workshop, perry quarter horses, jason perry

caroline arendt, south dakota cowgirl photography workshop, perry quarter horses, jason perry

caroline arendt, south dakota cowgirl photography workshop, perry quarter horses, jason perry

I left the workshop with 5 new friends and an excess of self-confidence, not only in my photography but in myself. I brainstormed, studied and learned with the best and can’t wait for more run-ins with Jenn and all the lovely ladies of the 2019 Southwest Kansas South Dakota Cowgirl Photography Workshop!

Xo
Caroline

Let’s get social:

Website: carolinearendt.com
Instagram: caroline.arendt
Facebook: Caroline Arendt Creative

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Thank you, Caroline, for sharing your experience and for coming to hang out with me. I sure enjoyed getting to know you!

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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