Uplifting the Ag Industry Through Livestock Photography

Send us Fan MailThis week, Venessa interviews Sierra Franks who grew up on a Texas Panhandle cow-calf and Hereford show-steer operation spanning Texas and Oklahoma, and credits her grandfather and family history for shaping her values and cattle program. Sierra explains how showing steers led her into photography, beginning with a 2014 Show Champions USA internship that expanded into major events like Houston and a career shaped by long show days, fast turnaround editing, and industry connections. She later worked with Legacy Livestock Imaging and launched Uplift Imaging in 2021 to change industry culture with a focus on kindness (“make kindness loud”), valuing staff, and mentoring women. A single mom of two boys, Sierra relies on family and a mostly female team to provide livestock, sale, rodeo, and portrait photography, shares how she recharges at home and on the ranch, recounts a road-trip story with her son, and outlines upcoming summer events and contact info.00:00 Meet Sierra Franks00:57 Panhandle Ranch Roots01:54 Camera Sparks a Career03:39 ShowChampions Breakthrough05:09 Hereford Heritage Story06:34 West Texas Weekend Sale08:14 What Makes a Winner09:29 Show Cattle After the Ring12:36 Kids and Calves13:55 Internship First Day Nerves15:51 Houston Changed Everything18:55 Editing and Fast Turnarounds22:17 Launching Uplift Kindness25:07 Staff That Feels Like Family27:06 Mentoring the Next Generation27:51 Beyond Livestock Photography28:47 Single Mom Balancing It All30:11 Pruning and Knowing Your Worth33:53 How She Fills Her Cup36:53 Advice for Business Pivots38:48 Road Trip Storytime43:44 What’s Next and How to Reach Her45:47 Final Thanks and Wrap UpSupport the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at [email protected] our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect