Behind the Lens with Shane Rux Equine Photography

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162 – January/February, 2018

by Rachel Kooiker

Famed photographer Ansel Adams once said, “You don’t take a photograph; you make it.” When it comes to high-quality equine photography, this couldn’t be more true. We live in a society where taking a picture at a horse show is as easy as whipping out a cell phone. We’re often so quick to snap those pics and post them to social media that we might forget how much work goes into creating a professional shot, especially at major circuits. From technology and equipment to organizing file folders, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the arena and backdrop photos that capture our most special equine moments. We spoke to the team at Shane Rux Equine Photography to find out what it takes to make these photographs happen.

The Dream Team

Shane Rux and wife, Julie Thompson-Rux, are the backbone of the operation, but the team is also supported by the talents of Cody Parmenter, Ashley Merchant, and Sammi Langianese. Their three additional staff members all have formal training and education in photography. Parmenter is a talented photographer in his own right. He shot over a dozen shows under his own banner, Cody Parmenter Photography, in 2017, and he brings graphic design skills to every image ordered. As you flip through this edition of The Equine Chronicle, it’s not a stretch to say that Parmenter has touched a majority of the photos featured within its pages. Merchant is a master of all trades who shows and has worked as a trainer. Sometimes she shoots as a second photographer at shows and tends to the important work of organizing and uploading images to the file folders, which allows customers to have the fastest possible access to view their photos at events. Langianese is the newest member of the team and brings a strong photography and business background to the office. Langianese is also a photographer, but she’s the one who handles all online sales, social media, and invoices. As Merchant explains, “We all try to pitch in.”

This team spends a lot of time together and thinks of each other as family. This is a good thing because, as Langianese says, “We are together all the time and for long periods. We travel together, we room together, we’re in the office all day together, and we go to dinner together. We’re a very tight-knit group, and it just works.” Julie Thompson-Rux manages the staff and office as well as working at shows. She echoes this sentiment, “We’re all friends. We even hang out and go to football games together. We do this because we love it.” In fact, at the time of his interview, Parmenter was just returning from a hunting trip with Shane in Wisconsin. He reflects, “It doesn’t feel like a job to me. I’ve been friends with Shane, both inside and outside of work. I might still be sitting there for 12 hours, but it’s not like sitting in a cubicle.” Langianese adds, “I love our crew. I enjoy traveling, and I’ve gotten to see really cool places. Shane and Julie are so good to us. It’s a really good company to work for.”

Click here to read the complete article
162 – January/February, 2018