Every Click Carries a Story
This year, I’m starting something that means a lot to me, and I hope it’ll mean something to a young photographer too.
When Deb passed, she left behind more than memories. She left behind a love for photography, a belief in people, and the kind of quiet encouragement that made others feel like they could do something great, even if they didn’t see it in themselves yet.
To honor her, I’m beginning a yearly tradition called Deb’s Focus Forward.
Each year on November 30, Deb’s birthday, I’ll be giving a camera to a young barrel racer who shows heart, drive, and a spark for photography. This isn’t a giveaway or a contest. It’s something personal. A camera for someone who wants it, needs it, and will use it.
This isn’t about taking pictures. It’s about passing on the future of photography, one lens at a time.
The first camera is already spoken for. A rider’s daughter needed one for her photography classes, and I knew Deb wouldn’t want me to stay quiet. She was just getting started, but you could tell she had the drive and the eye. She needed a quality camera to grow with her, and I knew right away this was the kind of moment Deb’s Focus Forward was meant for. So I answered the call the way Deb would have, with generosity and belief in what’s possible.
How It Works
Over the years, I’ve quietly passed along backup cameras to young riders who showed that spark. The ones who were always curious, always watching, and always wanting to learn more.
Now, through Deb’s Focus Forward, I’m making that effort something ongoing.
If you’re a younger rider, or a parent of one, and photography is something you’re passionate about, come talk to me during the year. You don’t have to write an essay or fill out a form. Just let me know it’s in your heart. That’s where it starts.
Putting a high-quality camera in a young person’s hands might seem like a big leap, but it’s the only way for them to grow. The only way to see what they’ve got is to give them the tools to try.