Rodeo photographer: Rosemary Cooper the Norman Rockwell of Illinois high school rodeo

Rosemary Cooper's photographs are digital paintings of life in Illinois high school rodeo. She is rodeo's Norman Rockwell, the historic American painter who captured every day life in small towns across this country.

She will spend the weekend in Du Quoin photographing the Tri-State high school rodeo, which starts Friday.

Cooper, an award winning professional photographer, has photographed Illinois youth rodeo since 1996.

Horses and rodeo have been their family lifestyle. She and husband Gary raised two daughters riding and loving horses. As she watched them grow from junior rodeo through Illinois High School Rodeo and collegiate rodeo it was only natural to frame and capture rodeo events.

Several Illinois contestants at this weekend's rodeo have been photographed by Rosemary since they became "old enough" to compete as kindergarteners at Illinois Junior Rodeo.

She now has started photographing a second generation of cowboys and cowgirls. As an IHSRA supporter & photographer you will see her in the arena from first run to last bull ride at all IHSRA rodeos. Her rodeo images along with artwork are available on her site, PrairieRodeo.com. If you have seen it done with a photograph she can do it. You see her images and artwork in the Tri-State Rodeo program book. In addition to the numerous rodeo program books, her images have been published in the NHSRA Times, Rodeo News "Nothin' but Rodeo" and the Western Horseman.

Love for the sport of rodeo combined with her photographic skill allows her to offer special memories & heirlooms that remain long after the dust has settled in the arena.

Her studio, Prairie Photo Studio, located west of Princeville, Ill. is in the country and provides acres of outdoor settings in addition to the indoor studio. She specializes in family & senior portraits.