Page 65 - Speedhorse June 2019

for her advice and guidance, especially during her initial time learning how to work at the track.
The job is fast-paced and must be done regardless of the elements. If the weather is deemed acceptable for the horses to run, then Hodges is out there chronicling the action through her camera. Even if it’s pouring, Hodges tries to comfort herself with one thought: at least she’s not out on the horse.
“After we shoot a race, we have from the time that race went off to the start of the next race to get our images onto the computer, our pictures put together and printed,” she explained. “It is a fast-paced job, but it never gets dull.
“The most challenging thing that I do is probably shooting in the rain. It is difficult to keep the equipment dry and still get wonderful action shots, but we have a system that works for us and we are able to get the shot.”
The stress and having to combat the elements does not outweigh the satisfaction Hodges receives when she sees people enjoying the fruits of her labor.
“I am so happy when owners and trainers come to pick up their pictures, and we see
their excitement. Everyone is happy in the photographer’s office, and it is infectious,” she said. “My goals for the future are to continue to find unique ways to capture races. I would also like to show the humanity behind horse racing by creating portraits of jockeys and horsemen.
COADY PHOTOGRAPHY AT DELTA DOWNS
Paula Tindall,
From the Classroom to the Track
No one can excuse Paula Tindall of being lazy.
“I learned that you can’t always control what a thousand-pound animal will do. Be prepared for the shot and do your best. That’s all you can do.” – Paula Tindall
Race photography is still a side job for her, and it’
’s
s
one she takes up every day at 3:30 p.m. That’s wh
she leaves her full-time job teaching fourth grade
and heads to Delta Downs, where she became the e
track photographer this April after working as the e
assistant photographer for a couple of years prior. “It’s fun when my students come to the
races and say, ‘Look, it’s my teacher out there.’ I think they’re amazed teachers don’t live at school,” Tindall said, adding, “My greatest accomplishment in work is that I feel I can and am successful in both lines of work that I do. It’s two separate worlds, more or less. By day I work molding young minds and by night I get to see what I consider to be the most athletic creatures on Earth work while I try to get the best photo of them.”
Whereas Hodges grew up around the track following her father and grandfather in their photography endeavors, Tindall’s formative years involved more hands-on work with the horses themselves. Her father, Carl Crawford, is a veteran trainer in the sport. The lessons have been passed on to the next generation. Tindall’s son went to college on a rodeo scholarship.
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n
e
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RACING HAS BECOME MORE INCLUSIVE
Both women agreed that there are more opportunities emerging in the sport for women, no matter what role they are looking to fill.
“Every year there are women entering this industry, whether as a photographer, a jockey,
a trainer or an owner,” Hodges said. “I think remembering the successful women that have come before them is an important way to encourage young women in such a competitive field.”
Both also offered their advice to any women looking to enter the industry.
“Be resilient, and face each day as a new beginning,” Hodges said. “You are capable of great things, but you may have to work harder to prove it.”
“If you have an interest in horses, gain all the knowledge you can first,” Tindall added. “They are very brilliant, complicated animals. Then, decide which area you want to start in. Once they’re in your blood, you never get rid of that love, whichever field you choose to do.”
“Pop started me off early,” she said. “I’ve had various jobs at the track, from being a groom, veterinarian’s assistant and pony rider, to having an assistant trainer’s license. I love watching horses and their athletic ability.”
Tindall made sure to offer some kind words to Nicole Cormier, her predecessor as the track photographer at Delta, a role that Cormier filled for approximately 15 years.
“I started as her assistant, and her enthusiasm and love of photography wore off on me,” Tindall said. “I learned that you can’t always control what a thousand-pound animal will do. Be prepared for the shot and do your best. That’s all you can do.”
Especially in Quarter Horse races, given the shorter distances.
“The most challenging thing is getting the shot when you have 10 horses headed to the finish line, especially with the Quarter Horses, as they’re moving very rapidly,” she said. “The most rewarding thing I do is put together pictures that makes an owner smile and be filled with pride. That pretty much does it for me.”
SPEEDHORSE, June 2019 63
When Paula (left) isn’t teaching fourth grade, she can be found capturing images of the most powerful athletes at Delta Downs Race Course (pictured here with her predecessor Nicole Cormier).