My name is Steve Earley and I have been invited by the 2017 NAC Chairman, Gary Riddle, to be the event photographer. Gary and I met earlier this year and a few weeks later I had the opportunity to photograph Gary and a couple of his dogs at a training event.
By way of background, much of my photo work has focused on birds, especially pheasants. Several of my photos have been featured in Pheasants Forever publications including the cover and December photo of their 2017 calendar and two that will be featured in the 2018 calendar.
I have always had an affection for sporting dogs beginning in my teenage years when I would accompany my favorite uncle as we hunted with his beloved Plott hounds. As years went by, this grew to owning my own Labs as waterfowling became my obsession. Then I discovered what has been for me the equally exciting experience of photographing sporting dogs.
Springer Spaniels with their speed, agility and explosive bird flushes are a challenge for any photographer and one I am fortunate enough share this month with the NAC participants. The Newton, UT venue is located in beautiful Cache Valley Utah where my wife and her family hail from and where I shot my first mallards and rooster pheasants. I look forward to meeting each of you. Enjoy the accompanying photos I took of Gary's dogs.
