About the image

This cowgirl editorial lifestyle photograph was shot for “Cowgirl Magazine” is of a cowgirl, Linda Parelli, leading 5 horses along with her husband, Pat Parelli, also leading 5 horses, was shot close to Ocala, Florida.

Steve tells us that this was a great shoot. He arrived in the morning to look around and scout the ranch. Linda and Pat's property near Ocala, FL is in the middle of huge horse country and this is their base in the wintertime. Shortly after Steve arrived Linda walked up and introduced herself and told him that she needed to shoot a short video training segment but to go with one of the hands and scout the ranch.

This region of Florida is known for huge Live Oak trees and dripping with Spanish Moss, and you can tell from the photos this in this area.

A strange scouting trip.

Steve grabbed his compass to show him where the setting sun would be and while he was being driven about the property he saw a barn. But this was unusual in it's height. So Steve asks his driver to stop and Steve walked in and craned his neck to look up, and up and up. It seems the previous owner of the property had a private zoo with 150+ species of animals walking about. Come to find out the barn was for the Giraffes. Steve, "I never have even heard of a barn for Giraffes, much less been in one, this was worth the trip in itself."

After scouting the property, and looking at the weather forecast, Steve decided to wait to shoot until later in the afternoon to get late light. Linda invited him for lunch and while she was cooking Steve took a few snapshots in the kitchen.

About an hour after lunch Steve started to shoot with Linda. Clouds started to roll in so he decided to shoot quicker to beat the solid overcast skies.

We are based in Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, California, both in the USA & Milan, Italy, and serve the nation and travel worldwide for projects, both video and stills. On average we travel 175 days a year from all over the USA, to Singapore to Japan, Europe and the Middle East. We are normally in Europe 2 or 3 times a year, mostly Italy and Germany, shooting for clients there.

If you would like to use this image, or any of Steve's images, for mock or comp use, please just ask. There is never a charge for this service. Educational use is permitted without charge, unless published, but please ask first. All commercial use is available only with a limited copyright release prior to use from the copyright holder, Steve Thornton. Thanks for looking!