February’s calendar photo was taken by professional Equestrian Video & Stills Photographer, Steven Quon of Calgary, Alberta. He captured this photo of Jamie Gray working with Exit Smiling in the paddock at Century Downs Racetrack & Casino during his first trip ever to a racetrack.
“Believe it or not, this picture was taken during my very first visit to a racetrack. I showed up just after lunch on a super foggy cold winter day where there was a visible thick haze in the air from the blowing snow.
“My intention was to audit, study and take my very first photos of any kind of horse racing and because I love photographing candid and any content that you don't see near as much of as the action or event itself. I made my way into the barns and this is where I ran into Jamie Gray with his horse, Exit Smiling. I just hung around inside the barn for a bit and I immediately predicted this moment coming as I saw this image render before it actually happened.”
Steven’s visit to the racetrack allowed him to form a solid network of harness racing and Standardbred fans.
If you’re a horse lover, the name may be one that you recognize, as Steven has had the opportunity to take photos for a variety of equine owners and events. In the past year, Quon has added quite a bit to his photography resumé.
“A lot and of great variety. Everything from the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, to the Masters, the National, the Pan American, the Continental tournaments at Spruce Meadows, to Skijoring in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, to the Millarville races on Canada Day, to photographing a few Equine Dentists, to photographing the Alberta Wild Horses, from both on the ground and from a helicopter, to photographing foals at Fleetwood Farms Quarter Horses in Champion, Alberta, to preparing my upcoming assignment in 2019 with Jonathan Field. No matter what I captured over the past year, they were all necessary and valuable building blocks to my professional development.”
As you can see, he keeps himself busy, running his Equestrian business full-time, and working up to 50-60 hours a week even in the quieter winter months.
“Even with the show season over, I still have many things currently on the go and in the works that will easily last me until the spring. There's always lots of studying, lots of preparation and a ton of business planning. I pretty much work seven days a week and it's very rare that I will take a day off.”
You can check out Steven’s outstanding portfolio on his website. His portfolio shows he has a true passion for horses and is a devoted equine photographer who loves creating memories for horse people to cherish.
This is the first time that one of Steven’s photos have been featured in the calendar and he is super thankful and excited about it.
“I would like to thank you for all the support that I have received from friends, colleagues and other entrepreneurs in the Equestrian world since I started my journey just over a year ago. I have come a long way, but I still have a way to go in terms of reaching those media achievements and I wouldn't be where I am today without the tremendous support that I have gotten from all of you over the past year and a bit. So, to everyone out there who has supported me with tips, advice, encouragement, pointers, comments and suggestions, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!”