WHY SO MANY PHOTOS?

 For those who know me, you will agree, my camera is my constant companion and I am addicted to taking pictures.

I am a visual learner, a caring coach and the champion of feedback.

After school (many years ago now) I did a Creative Arts Diploma, specialising in sculpture and photography and went immediately into horse training and later coaching. Some may say, a strange progression?

Well, yes it was, but I have always maintained my love of photography and with the recent popularity of social media and the sophistication of Digital Photography I have found a wonderful and valid way to share my photos and express my creative side.

What are the benefits of my photo sharing?

1.      Feedback. Feedback is the most important part of the learning cycle and a picture is worth a thousand words. I want my students to appreciate their highs and training successes and be proud of their achievements.

2.      Camaraderie. Many students don’t get to watch training sessions of their friends but by being able share and view their photos on line they are able to comment and congratulate each other and build up bonds of friendship through their love of their horses.

3.      Giving back.  I don’t charge anyone for my photos and I am delighted when they share them with their friends. It is my way of thanking my students for their loyalty and support.

4.      A glimpse of my world. Until you have been to our training centre, Johnson Equestrian in Nelson NSW, you would have no idea of what a piece of heaven we have to work in. I am delighted to include photos of our many and varied birds that frequent our gardens as well the bush and trees and animals. We are very lucky to live and work where we do!

5.      Profile enhancement. It’s easy to advertise that you are an experienced and accredited coach, but when I share our photos I hope I am adding a dimension to our services- showing the things that matter to us and the way we operate here.

6.      Promotion. I operate Johnson Equestrian with my son George and he is now the primary competition arm of our operation (I’m too busy these days taking pictures to compete much). I don’t want to wait for other photographers to sell me good photos of him and his horses competing, I want to share how hard he trains and beautifully he rides every day, and I do. Yes I am very proud of him and his achievements!

7.      Pleasure and satisfaction. I get excited every time I download my memory card from my day’s shooting and I relish the challenge of editing each photo to make it be special. I have friends suggesting I should publish or print all my photos but there are so many beautiful images that pop in to my lens each day I just like to keep capturing, and sharing them. 

8.      Miserable? I think I might be too miserable to pay for advertising for our business, so I justify to myself that all the hours I spend on photos is my investment in business advertising. Besides I think it works better than paid advertising and it’s way more fun!

9.      Thanks! Thank you to everyone who appreciates and comments on my photos, I really appreciate it. I love that it keeps us all in touch and that students and friends that have moved away or overseas, or had to stop riding for a while still keep in touch by liking and commenting on my photos.

You can see my daily photos on my Facebook pages of :

Christine Johnson www.facebook.com/christine.johnson3

Johnson Equestrian Services         www.facebook.com/horseridingsydney

Equestrian Coaches         www.facebook.com/groups/EquestrianCoaches

All About Horses               www.facebook.com/allaboutthehorse

Or on our website http://www.teamj.com.au/gallery.html

 YouTube             www.youtube.com/user/chrissieteamj

Instagram            https://instagram.com/chrissiejohnson2013  

Google Plus         https://plus.google.com/u/0/112012556023408017045/photos

Disclaimer. By way of a disclaimer I would like to explain that I never share any photos of students or friends unless they have signed an agreement to let their images be used, and I have a personal pact with myself to never share a photo that I feel is negative or shows a person or horse in a bad light.