Meet Stephanie Arrington Diaz | Photographer & thoroughbred racehorse owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Arrington Diaz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I decided to start my own business selling my photography after my husband and family really made me believe that others might like my photography. Before I started the business with its own name I was always at our thoroughbred breeding farm taking photographs of our horses and other animals running, playing and just relaxing, I was also always at the horse racetrack taking photos of the horses in the morning and afternoons during race time and all their grooms, trainers and jockeys. I posted them to my social media sharing them with everyone because I loved the horses so much. Some jockeys and trainers came to me asking for prints of their horses but at that time I didn’t think of starting a business. After a couple years of doing this and expanding my photography to landscapes and urban photography my family really gave me the courage to put myself out there and start Stephanie Jean Photography!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my photography I believe what sets me apart from other photographers is my deep love for the animals and the beautiful landscapes that I take photos of. I was raised to love and respect all living things and I believe that the love and respect comes through the photographs. I have always have had the deepest love, respect and admiration of horses, they are some of the strongest animals I’ve had the blessing to love and work with and the are also some of the gentlest creatures. In my photographs of them I believe I capture the love the horse has for me or the love that the horse has for their rider and owner.
I also believe that I capture the awe that I feel looking at different landscapes. I love going to new places and seeing different things, I always seem to find beauty everywhere I go and I always try capturing that beautiful awe inspiring moment that I feel behind the camera.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced to date is breaking my hip and fracturing my back from falling off a horse when we were running down the racetrack. For about a year I was on crutches and was not able to take any photographs or even be close to my horses. After the recovery I found I was not able to move the way I once was able to nor was I able to walk for the same long distances, it has been a challenge that I am still struggling with today. But thanks to the support that I have from my husband who never cares how long it takes us to get to somewhere I am still able to do what I love!

I’ve learned from my family, my horses, my husband and the world around me to never give up, to always keep going even when it’s hard or seems impossible.
Our life is a story that is worth telling, every awe inspiring, breathtaking, beautiful moment that becomes our memories are worth sharing with the world. That is what I hope Stephanie Jean Photography will achieve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would start off in Black Hawk and spend a few days exploring the amazing and fun city that is! I love the old world mixed with the fun of casinos. There is beautiful places right near Black Hawk as well, like the Hidee Gold mine that I think everyone should check out.
Next we would head towards Colorado Springs and spend time exploring the Garden of the Gods and spend a day on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the views and the history you learn while riding are spectacular. The summit makes you feel so small and truly makes your heart skip a beat and your breath catch just looking out at our world.
Then we’d head to the Cave of the Winds, that I’ve never been brave enough to try as I’m a little scared of small spaces but driving past there I know getting over my fear would totally be worth it!
For our last day we’d be in Denver exploring the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver zoo and closing out the night at Rockies Game at Coors Field.

I love trying all new places to eat so we’d try all new places!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My grandfather “Pops” and Grandmother Marge who gave me my first camera, my Mom Debbie, Dad Jim, and Brother Jim Bob who always have cheered me on and made me feel like every photograph was the best one they’ve ever seen, my husband Emmanuel who is the driving force behind my bettering my skills and is always up for and adventure just to get other great photos.
& The New Mexico Horse Breeder Magazine who published my first cover photograph of my own two horses that made me feel like a million bucks.

Instagram: @redlips_and_ice

Image Credits
All photos are mine