story by Siri Stevens
photos by Jake Hodnett/Jake Brakes Pics
Jake Hodnett started taking rodeo pictures after his dad, Jim Hodnett, asked for help at the hometown rodeo. “I pretty much fell in love with shooting rodeo after I shot my first one,” said the 23-year-old from Elk City, Okla. Jake and his soccer team were the subject of his dad’s photos during high school. “I’m in year two of a three-year plan,” he said. “I want to make rodeo photography my full-time job.” He has mentored under Click Thompson and Fernando Sam Sin. “I took a class from Click and he’s been a phone call away for a long time.”
He works as a landscape technician for Clouds Lawncare and Irrigation, learning as he moved through the company. He started in high school and has made it his full-time profession since he graduated from high school. Every chance he gets, he shoots rodeo. He is currently on his permit for the PRCA and shoots several KPRA rodeos as well. He will finish his required rodeos at Pendleton. Jake is respectful of his time away shooting rodeo. “I put in longer hours to make sure I get my job done. I want to repay what I missed.”
Rodeo has been close to Jake. “My dad hauled for Beutler & Son and if Benny needed him to take a truck, I always went with him and I’ve always loved it – the people, the family, and friends that will be there for the rest of your life.”
