There is much beauty in the world that gets overlooked, and I’m especially grateful for people like Andra Erickson who devote their God given talents to illuminating that beauty and preserving it for the days when the world seems dark or the work overwhelming.
A native of Brenham, Texas, Andra Erickson grew up as the daughter of a large animal vet. Her passion for animals and increasing immersion in ranching after marriage led to the perfect pairing of passion and craftsmanship, which she uses to bring the permanency of photographs to the fleeting moments of life on a working ranch. She shoots while horseback and sometimes has to let her camera rest around her neck while she swings her rope. It is this rare combination of living the lifestyle she documents that brings such honesty to her photos. Paired with her ability to read lighting and her impeccable timing, she is able to capture those moments that might otherwise slip by.
Her love for taking photos surfaced at an early age and as a pre-teen Erickson wrote a report for her English class on photography. As her interest progressed she was able to purchase her first DSLR camera which she used at family gatherings to keep memories alive, enjoying the instant gratification after years with film.
Although initially self-taught, Andra credits fellow photographer Shelley Paulson with helping her hone her skills and learn to identify and work with lighting. Paulson was an answered prayer for a mentor and has truly been a teacher to remember. Anyone familiar with the lifestyle of ranching or agriculture knows that long days mean a variety of light and even weather, which is reflected in her dawn to dusk and midday portrayals. As she points out, “without light, you don’t have photography.”
Her backyard is the starting place for much of her work, as she calls a family ranch home alongside her husband, 3 time National Finals Rodeo Competitor Dan Erickson, and her children, who are as handy as their parents and help contribute their own skills to the Erickson Cattle Co. stock.
The Erickson’s breed ranch and rodeo horses that preserve proven local lines such as Frosty Tops, owned by Gilbert Reynolds and trained by Jim Wheatley, White Lightning Ike, owned by Will Gill and Sons, and Trapper Bar Drop, owned by Jim Wheatley. Jim Wheatley and David Gill were both multiple time NFR qualifiers in the team roping and their four-legged partners are just a further testament to the characteristics of these bloodlines. These horses are good-minded and sturdy built, designed to handle the long hours and the rugged terrain, as the annual cattle drive to gather cattle from the mountains demands both. This event has been an Erickson tradition since the late 1800s and Andra and Dan’s children are fifth generation ranchers to participate in it. Some of the Ericksons horses, along with other high-quality mounts, are sold bi-annually at the Horses With A History Sale, which is taking place this October at Will Gill and Sons in Madera, CA.
In addition to her family, neighbors, and friends, Erickson takes pictures for clients in surrounding communities and brings her eye for the moment to other life events such as portraits. Her kindness and honesty help her connect with her human subjects, and the ranch is constantly teaching her the nuances of animal behavior.
Thanks to her talents, the rest of the world is able to see glimpses of the beauty that comes in a life of hard work and caring for animals and the land.
Andra is available for photo shoots in the local area, and her extensive online galleries offer photos for purchase. Check out her page for her latest pictures and follow her on social media.
To view stock photography, visit www.andra-erickson.com . Also find her on Facebook at Andra Erickson Photography (https://www.facebook.com/AndraEricksonPhotography/) and on Instagram, as @andra_ericksonphotography.
