Spring Round-Up: A Family Affair - Lifestyle Photography by Jason Connel - Tyler, Texas

It was one of those crisp, early spring mornings, with the kind of chill that still clings to the air in the space between two Texas giants—Dallas and Fort Worth. Nestled in the quiet sprawl, away from the hustle of the cities, a ranch stood as a testament to a tradition that’s slowly fading—an old-fashioned cattle roundup. It’s the kind of gathering that feels almost timeless, where cowboys and ranch hands come together, not for show, but for the work they’ve done for generations.

This wasn’t just a job—it was a family affair. Ranchers helping ranchers. Fathers, sons, grandfathers, and grandsons, all united in a rhythm passed down through the ages. Three generations of cowboys working side by side, teaching one another the art of wrangling calves, administering the shots they need, and branding the herd. They rolled in before the sun had fully risen, trucks loaded with horses and gear, their boots crunching against the gravel as they gathered for breakfast—a Texas staple of tacos served straight from the bed of a truck. The food was simple, but it was the conversation that nourished them. Stories were swapped, jokes shared, and updates given on ranch life and family. There’s a camaraderie in these moments, a sense of belonging, before the workday truly begins.

Once the horses were saddled, the real task began—gathering up the calves and sorting them out. It’s an art form, the way they open and close the gates, cutting the herd with precision from the saddle. Each rider knew exactly what to do, no words needed. Watching it all unfold, you’d think it was rehearsed for a Broadway stage, so smooth and synchronized was their movement. Every person, every horse, had their role, and no one questioned it. It’s a dance of instinct and skill, a testament to years of hard-earned wisdom.

As I watched, I couldn’t help but think about the world beyond these ranch gates—the corporate offices and boardrooms where teams often struggle to find this level of unity and purpose. There’s a lesson in this kind of teamwork, something the modern workforce could learn from. The cowboys out here may not wear suits or sit through endless meetings, but they understand something profound about working together. It’s not just about getting the job done—it’s about trust, respect, and knowing your place in the larger picture. There’s a certain ingenuity in that simplicity, and a wisdom we’d all do well to heed.

Making of a Photograph: Woodworking - Tyler, Tx Lifestyle Photographer

It was cold, dark, and on the verge of rain when I captured this image. But the vision for it had been forming for weeks. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in, because this one has a bit of a backstory.

I was tasked with shooting a men’s fashion campaign, and if you know me, you know I’m all about storytelling. Sure, the brief could’ve been as simple as having the model sit in a chair and stare back into the lens. For a fashion shoot, that would’ve been more than enough. But a story—now that lingers a little longer. It connects. It’s relatable. It feels real. And that’s what makes a piece of marketing effective.

Before the shoot, I gave my location scout one request: find me a place where guys do stuff. The kind of clothes we were shooting were made for work—leisurely work, hobbies—things that resonate. The kind of things we watched our dads or grandpas do. Or, in my case, things I never got to see them do but always wished I had. I wanted to capture that feeling of nostalgia, of something you long for but can’t quite put your finger on.

My scout came back with one shot—an old workshop attached to a cabin, tucked away in the foothills near Flagstaff, Arizona. Just an exterior shot. When I asked about the inside, he said it was full of junk. And right then, I knew—I was chasing that feeling of being a kid, working alongside my dad, even though I wasn’t the handy type. That workshop was the perfect setting for it.

I needed help to pull this off, though. I showed my assistant the outside shot and told him I wanted to shoot inside. He looked at me skeptically but humored me anyway. I told him I wanted the subject to be working on some wood project, crafting something by hand. Since we had no idea what was inside, we had to prepare everything ahead of time—bring the tools, the sawdust, even the project itself. My assistant went to work building a cutting board, the perfect choice for what I had in mind.

With everything prepped, we hit the road, crossing the country with nothing but a gut feeling. This was the last stop on a three-day shoot, and we already had some killer images. But this—this was the one I had saved for last.

By the time we arrived, it was cold, dark, and rain was looming. While I was shooting other setups, my team was clearing out the workshop, revealing the scene I had imagined. It was all there—the perfectly worn workbench, the old Folgers can full of random nuts and bolts, everything.

Now it was time to light it. How do you light a workshop? Maybe a practical overhead light? No. I wanted something warmer, something that felt more like a memory than reality. It needed to feel like sunset—the kind of light that’s warm, inviting, and nostalgic, streaming in through the window while the subject works. Every detail had to come together to tell that story—all to sell a shirt. And it all started with one picture of the outside of an old workshop.

Sure, effective marketing can be a direct call to action, but often it’s about tapping into something deeper. Sometimes, it means digging into what’s missing in your own life and creating the story you, as the artist, longed for as a kid.

New Western Photography for Cavender's Fall Sale - Lifestyle Photographer Jason Connel

No doubt fall is my favorite season, and getting to work this project for the second year is fantastic! This was a completely different feel this year as it was in the east Texas pines and rolling hills verses the desert and mountains for far flung west Texas.

Regardless, of the location it was an excellent team and effort by everyone. I am looking forward to sharing more images. In the mean time… Enjoy! Jason

Day in the Life: Kristin Ottea

I met Kristen about a decade ago, and she has to be one of the most interesting people I have ever met. She is a model, but she is also a huntress, a wife, and a second generation taxidermist! That’s right a taxidermist! Her father started Ottea Taxidermy, but these days she is running the show. She was awesome enough to allow me to follow her around for a day and tell her story. Enjoy! Jason

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