Johnson Branch Photography: Rock the Shot Photo Challenge: Favorite Image of 2014 ~ Taylor and Pistol

This image is my entry for the Rock the Shot January photo challenge.

The category is: Favorite Shot of 2014. www.rocktheshotforum.com

When I first took this image, I really loved it and was happy to have had the opportunity to create it, but for the girl in the photo, it would come to mean so much more. Her name is Taylor and I took her senior photos 2 years ago. She is obviously a gorgeous girl, but she is also one of the sweetest people I have ever met and worked with. When I did Taylor’s senior pictures, we included her then 1-year-old Buckskin, Pistol. Here are two of my favorites of her senior photos with Pistol.

Fast-forward to the summer of 2014 and Taylor is going to the horse shows at the county fair. This would be Taylor’s last year in 4-H and last year allowed to show in anything but open shows as an adult. Her Mama called me and asked if I would be available to photograph Taylor’s final shows. I happily agreed. Over the next two days, Taylor cleaned up. She participated in multiple shows with both Pistol and a second, older and more experienced horse. Pictured below is Tayor on Edy with her awards from the two days of showing.

The highlights from the weekend were her win in the Showman Sweepstakes, which meant she was awarded top honors as the best horse showman and was able to compete later in the later against showman from 6 others species, showing all the animals.

Another huge highlight was an award that she and Pistol won together.

Grand Champion Production Halter. A person can only win this award 3 times and Taylor became the second person ever to win this award 3 years in a row. She won all three years with Pistol.

A little over 2 months ago, I was scrolling Facebook and saw that Taylor had posted that the vet had been out to see Pistol and she was praying he would feel better soon. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but prayed as well. 2 months ago today, Pistol passed away at just 3 years old. He had a hereditary condition and the vet was not able to save him. The news broke my heart. He was a magnificent horse and I know how much Taylor loved him. She and her Mom both thanked me again and told me how much the photos I took of Taylor and Pistol meant to them.

I debated weather I should enter the photo in this contest, but when I looked at Facebook today, I saw one of the pics I took from the summer on Taylor's page with the caption, “Today marks two months without my baby boy. It still hasn't gotten any easier. I miss him every single day”.

I finally chose my photo. I worked with wonderful people last year and created some of my best work yet, but I know the meaning that these photos have and that is why the 2 images below are my favorites from 2014.