Barrel Racing Photography
Want to learn how to photograph barrel racing like you actually understand the sport?
This guide was created for photographers who are tired of guessing, tired of soft photos, tired of missing the shot and ready to level up with someone who lives and breathes the arena.
I’m Chelsey Somohano - a barrel racer, a horse owner and professional photographer who has spent years in the dirt capturing the sport with my camera. I don’t just photograph barrel racing… I run barrels also. I know what the perfect turn feels like. I know what riders hope to see. And I know exactly how to capture a horse at its most powerful, athletic, and alive.
This is not a technical textbook.
This is not a boring photography manual.
This is a real-world, arena-proven guide built from thousands of runs, late-night jackpots, golden hour arenas, and hard-earned experience.
Inside, you’ll learn:
The essential settings that actually matter for fast action
How to time, frame, and anticipate each moment at barrel
How to shoot the iconic second barrel “money shot”
How to create beautiful candids and storytelling moments
How to create creative, intentional gallery images riders love (and will spend money on!)
I break down my exact process - what works, what doesn’t, what I wish I knew sooner, and how to shoot with intention so your images feel clean, powerful, and worthy of the sport. Included in this 65 page e-book are pages upon pages of examples to correspond with every pillar.
Whether you're a brand-new photographer or someone looking to finally understand the sport, clean up your timing, and shoot like you belong in the arena… this guide will change the way you photograph barrel racing forever.
This isn’t just about taking photos.
It’s about leveling up the industry and creating photographs that highlight the athleticism of these horses.
If you’re ready to capture barrel racing the way it deserves to be captured - this is your guide.
Welcome to this guide - a collection of everything I’ve learned, tested, failed at, improved on and finally refined through years of photographing barrel races while also running barrels myself. Inside, we’re breaking down the things that actually matter:
essential camera settings you need for fast action and sharp images
correct timing and angles for each barrel
lighting and positioning
creative shots that elevate your gallery and add variety
exhibitions, candids and storytelling moments
Learn how to bring intention to every image you take. This guide is full of examples, explanations and more!
I’m not claiming to be the end-all authority on barrel racing photography. My opinions don’t “matter” in the sense that they’re the only way to do things. I’ve just been photographing this sport for a long time, and I’ve also been in the arena as a competitor for just as long. I know what the run feels like, what riders hope to see in their galleries and how important it is to capture a horse at their absolute best. I believe my work across multiple equine disciplines has helped me to refine this even more.
This guide isn’t about perfection - it’s about sharing a process that has worked well for me. So take what helps you, build on it, adapt it and make it your own.
Welcome to this guide - a collection of everything I’ve learned, tested, failed at, improved on and finally refined through years of photographing barrel races while also running barrels myself. Inside, we’re breaking down the things that actually matter:
essential camera settings you need for fast action and sharp images
correct timing and angles for each barrel
lighting and positioning
creative shots that elevate your gallery and add variety
exhibitions, candids and storytelling moments
Learn how to bring intention to every image you take. This guide is full of examples, explanations and more!
I’m not claiming to be the end-all authority on barrel racing photography. My opinions don’t “matter” in the sense that they’re the only way to do things. I’ve just been photographing this sport for a long time, and I’ve also been in the arena as a competitor for just as long. I know what the run feels like, what riders hope to see in their galleries and how important it is to capture a horse at their absolute best. I believe my work across multiple equine disciplines has helped me to refine this even more.
This guide isn’t about perfection - it’s about sharing a process that has worked well for me. So take what helps you, build on it, adapt it and make it your own.
