Meet Sharon Chapman Fibelkorn | Horse Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharon Chapman Fibelkorn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharon, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Let’s talk about the role of risk taking and Horse Photography.

I am an Aries so it’s not uncommon for me to charge head first into anything I do because, in my head, I always think it will work out. You could say that my glass is always half full and I am always encouraged to try things.

I think about the risk (cost) of everything, everyday and that holds me back a lot when it comes to personal projects. I’m always weighing if what I invest in will yield a return but when it comes to my career I’m usually full on. I take the time to lay a foundation based on the information I know and then I blow forward with all I’ve got! It’s my job; it’s been my job since 1993 so I pretty much know how things work and what the yields will be. The Pandemic has shaken things up some but maybe more on that later.

In the world of Horse Photography I feel the risk is very little these days. We all know what lens to use because everyone uses them and we can easily see that or read about it on the chat boards.

Back in the day there were no chat boards and most Professional Horse Photographers shot with Medium Format gear not 35mm. I chose to school with one of the foundation horse photographers in order to figure out proper lenses and lighting. After that I worked some with another master photographer who had come from the lighting industry in Hollywood so I got to see a whole other side of lighting and horses. The risk? Will it be worth buying all the gear? I do not usually buy used so think new think the best glass think $$$$.

Today, most all Horse Photographers believe they know how to properly photograph horses.

Back when I schooled, I chose to learn about the proper ways to photograph many sports; many breeds; and many styles. Today it’s popular to do mostly portraits or specialize in one sport. Nothing wrong with that; I just chose to be very well rounded with my skill set. The risk? Not much of a risk here; just allowing time to work on movements and exposure.

Today’s horse photographers tend to do it as a 2nd job.

When I started out I also did the work as a second job but rather than going into Horse Show Photography, I chose to work in Editorial for Horse Magazines while using slide film (yet another speciality). The risk? This was a 2nd job or side hustle so no big risk involving money but a HUGE risk for dependability and usable imagery. Now someone else was depending on me for a product. I totally loved working for magazines!

Later on, based on a move taking me away from the bigger cities when I did work in Computer Operations as career #1; and digital photography showing up so that magazines could cut costs and have their staff photograph, thus killing off career #2; I sat dormant for a while feeling sorry for myself and licking my wounds. As an Aries, I am heartbroken quite easily.

Enter friends; while in the dumps another super good Horse Photographer friend told me to start working on Photoshop because that’s where photography will be heading. Now, I came from news; editorial photo work where we don’t ‘alter’ imagery. But my friend is super good hearted so I took the advice, learned that I enjoyed the software and soon had nice, at home editorial work for a variety of photographers. Career #2 back in tact.

Then the wife of the man who I had originally schooled with called out of the blue to see if I’d work sales for her at a horse show. Enter risk; I hadn’t even worked a cash register since I was in high school so I was timid and thought I’d probably ruin her business. She’s got nerve for days so she convinced me that I would not ruin her life lol.

I adore the couple who originally taught me all about really good horse photography and had always kept in touch so going to work for them seemed a no brainer. And over time I stepped back into photographing with them, thus comes the title I tend to use to describe myself as Second Shooter for Don Trout Photography. We unfortunately lost Mr. T in 2017 to cancer. His wife, Debbie, is fearless and she makes up half the business so she had no intention of not carrying his name on!

The latest risk that I’m taking currently is that I am completely changing my gear! People feel vested in what they use; Canon vs Nikon vs Sony; Dodge vs Chevy vs Toyota, etc. I landed in the Canon camp for gear a long time ago but after shooting with a friend’s gear last year, I find I am very attracted to Nikon and thus change is in the air! Okay, and some risk, as I will have to learn all about the new gear and settings. And there is the expense of new purchases but I am selling off my gear to fund some of the new.

I suppose long story long, there will always be risk in any business. We risk funding gear; we risk safety being around large animals who could smash us like so many bugs; we risk emotions because photography is an art form and subjective; we risk everything so that we can make something beautiful; time stopping; something lasting beyond ourselves.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think most Photographers think of themselves as artists but I have always thought of myself as an employee/professional. While I do shoot for myself; I am more comfortable shooting for others. I have always had an employee mindset and I would rather work in a team then alone. I really like the ‘it takes a village’ sort of deal.

I started out in life wanting to be a Computer Professional. I specialized working with IMB equipment and I enjoyed learning about a variety of softwares; establishing work flows; etc.

Photography came along because I thought it was really cool to freeze time. No skill; no art; just being able to save the moment.

I met a guy who had a horse and my photos sucked! Turns out, photographing horses was fascinating; how not to distort them; how to stop their movements so that they look like dancers instead of being awkward and unbalanced; how to get details in black while not washing out colors or whites; I could go on but there is so much to figure out when photographing horses much less those in a fast moving sport.

It was very easy for me to learn to photograph horses. I took to it naturally.

I got where I am today by being honest with people; making close friendships with good people I could learn from and having a network of friends who offer up good advice and observations when I need it. I have a continued quest to learn and evolve so that my images are really really really good. I feel sad for those photographers who feel they know it all because they will never grow. I love growth! I love finding out something new that another shooter does that could also help me with my craft.

The latest lesson is that if it’s too difficult or uncomfortable; change your position or just walk away. Anything meant for you should come somewhat naturally and if you are constantly in a struggle you might want to think about doing something else.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A favorite yearly for me is The Houston Stock Show and Rodeo! Now, it’s a lot longer then a week but you’ll get the idea.

First up, there is one of the best Trade Shows in Texas during the event so you’ll want to come ready to shop clothings and all things western! Treat yourself to a pair of custom boots from M.L. Leddy’s. They have binders of everyone’s feet that they’ve made boots for. I have “Dancer’s Feet” and I can easily work days in my boots and never get sore. I mean, they are patterned perfectly to my feet.

Maybe you have a love of animals like I do so you can sit a spell and enjoy the hogs or cattle being shown in the main building. Rabbits! There are so many wonderful rabbits in The Horse Show building! I have a soft spot for rabbits.

You can start the week off with the BBQ competition (if you are in the know) as well as NCHA Cutting (where I’ll be working).

Not that there is not already good food on property but I absolutely loveeeeee Escalante’s over in the Meyerland Plaza. Fajita steak tacos … trust me on this one.

If you enjoy photography head to Houston Camera where they have an entire wall of vintage cameras that you can selfie in front of! They’ve got tons of gear if you’re in the market. I pretty much dream of getting a Leica and they have an entire section dedicated to just that brand.

I’m not much of a night owl but head back to the fairgrounds and you have your pick of live entertainment in all sorts of places on property! One of the Media Shooters that I am friends with keeps himself busy all night be heading from venue to venue in order to photograph all the entertainment!

You can easily spend a week and never see it all!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
OMG so glad I get to do a Shoutout!

I owe the Nikon Gear risk to a super good gal who’s company is High Cotton Promotions! She’s a Cow Horse Photographer and Marketing Creative! Kelsey Hellmann. One of the fresh faces on the horse scene IMO.

Another Shoutout goes to McCoolPhotos.com and Amy McCool. Longtime friend; super bad ass Over Fences Shooter and long time edit client. She’s super colorful and super amazing.

Website: www.sharonfibelkorn.com

Instagram: a_horsephotographer