LOUISIANA DOWNS PHOTOGRAPHER ANN SWITALSKI ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A STANDOUT SHOT

Bossier City, LA – At the end of the 2022 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred meet, esteemed photographer Lou Hodges, Jr. passed the baton to assistant Ann Switalski. He remains the official photographer at Fair Grounds but was looking to have some time off in the summer, after handling duties at Louisiana Downs since 2005.

Hodges hired Ann McKnight Switalski in 2016. An avid equestrienne, she began taking photos of morning works and benefited greatly from the expertise of Hodges.

“Lou made sure I understood that there is a very limited time to get the shots we need: the stretch, wire and comeback,” said Switalski.  “He taught me the importance of getting the horse in front to allow room for editing.”

The transition has been smooth as silk with Switalski completing the 2023 Quarter Horse season with total professionalism, aided by her assistant, Dawn Thomas.

Switalski is always looking for creative shots and when she is photographing a mile and 70 yard main track on the dirt, she will stroll to the gate as they load in hopes of capturing an interesting moment. On June 18, she had a most interesting opportunity.

“I took several shots as the horses left the gate and noticed some unusual movement,” explained Switalski. “After the race and back in my office, it was clear that all of the horses emerged from the gate except one. Upon further investigation I discovered a horse rearing higher and higher in each progressive shot until I almost couldn’t see his head.”

The horse was End Zone Athletics’ Aligned Interest, trained by Karl Broberg with jockey Juan Vargas guiding his mount from the awkward break to a sixth-place finish, without any issues.

“I believe my reaction when I reviewed the shot was “Holy Crap,” she added.

The management and of course, the horsemen who run at Louisiana Downs admire Switalski and hope their racehorses will pop up in their future spontaneous moments!

Rearing Gate Shot by LAD photographer Ann McKnight Switalski

NEW CHAPTER BEGINS AT LOUISIANA DOWNS AS LOU HODGES, JR. PASSES THE TORCH TO ANN SWITALSKI

Current Hodges Photography Assistant to Take the Helm in 2023

Bossier City, LA – Since 2005, photographer Lou Hodges, Jr. has captured the excitement and beauty of horse racing at Louisiana Downs. On the final day of the 2022 Thoroughbred racing season, he will officially pass the baton to his highly respected assistant Ann Switalski.

Lou Hodges, Jr. served as track photographer at several racetracks, including Rockingham Park, Washington Park and Arlington Park. His father, Lou Hodges was the official photographer at Fair Grounds in New Orleans beginning in 1948, before his son took over in 1976.

Ann Switalski and Lou Hodges. Hodges Photography.

In addition to being the official photographer at Fair Grounds, Hodges Photography also has the contract at Louisiana Downs.

Ann McKnight Switalski was born in Saginaw,  Michigan. She arrived in Louisiana in 2003 and stayed after her husband retired from the military. An avid equestrienne, she began taking photos of morning works and soon realized that an investment in a quality camera was essential. Hodges offered her an opportunity to shoot some Super Derby action and hired her in 2016.

“I was very fortunate to find Ann,” explained Hodges. “She was working for a veterinarian on the backside and was interested in photography. I met with her and noticed right away that she was very creative and asked her to come to work.”

Color and clarity are two of the elements that are evident in the work of Hodges Photography.

“Our technique for getting perfect race shots is to use telephoto lenses to have tight shots,” said Hodges. “We are always looking for different angles and different compositions that will make someone who views the image look twice.”

With no previous background in photography, Switalski realized she had a lot to learn, and with the expert guidance of Hodges, she jumped right in.

“Lou made sure I understood that there is a very limited time to get the shots we need: the stretch, wire and comeback,” said Switalski.  “He taught me the importance of getting the horse in front to allow room for editing.”

Switalski enjoys the people involved in both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing and getting memorable shots of jockeys as they jog back after a tough finish.

“Maria Baca gave me a very nice compliment,” said Switalski. “She said that no one takes photos of the riders like I do and that her mother loves them!”

Switalski, lives in Keithville, Louisiana, with her husband, Tony and sons Sam and Nathan. They share their home with three goats, two ducks, five cats and two horses, including Maverick Impression, an Appaloosa who is showing promise as a novice jumper.

She looks forward to the next chapter and is grateful for the support of her family as well as her Louisiana Downs assistant, Dawn Thomas.

On the final day of the 2022 racing season, Louisiana Downs officials honored Hodges for his service and presented him with a plaque thanking him for his excellence.

“Hodges Photography has been an integral part of the history of Louisiana Downs,” said Kevin Preston, the track’s owner and president. “We are grateful for the professionalism of Lou Hodges and the images that will remain with us forever. Ann is greatly admired by our horsemen and everyone in our organization. We know she will do an excellent job!”

The tribute meant a great deal to the inimitable photographer, who is nowhere near retiring and looks forward to the upcoming live racing season at Fair Grounds.  He wishes all the best to Switalski and is confident that the transition will be seamless.

“Ann will do a great job,” stated Hodges. “I am hoping to come back, possibly for the Super Derby, but look forward to traveling with my wife, Leslie, next summer.”

Switalski has not decided on the official name on her contract with Louisiana Downs, but can be reached at ladownsphotos@gmail.com.

About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

From Maidens To Eclipse Award Winners, Photographer Hodges Loves Every Image

by | 01.03.2019 | 3:34pm

Amanda Hodges Weir and Lou Hodges

Fair Grounds in New Orleans has withstood the test of time as one of the most revered racetracks in North America.  For the past forty years, track photographer Lou Hodges, Jr. has captured the racing history of the venerable establishment in his own inimitable style.

Hodges is a second-generation photographer. His dad, Lou Hodges, Sr. was a veteran of the Army Air Corps during World War II and began working under Fair Grounds track photographer Jack Blythe in 1948. When Blythe retired, Hodges took over and enjoyed a successful career, honored as a member of the Fair Grounds Press Box Hall of Fame. He passed the baton to his son in 1976.

Lou Hodges, Jr. served as track photographer at several racetracks, including Rockingham Park, Washington Park and Arlington Park prior to taking the position at Fair Grounds.

He explains the goal of the images created by Hodges Photography.

“Our technique for getting perfect race shots is to use telephoto lenses to have tight shots,” said Hodges.  “We are always looking for different angles and different compositions that will make someone who views the image look twice.”

Hodges has photographed some of the most celebrated Thoroughbreds in the six-month winter Thoroughbred meet, which culminates with the running of the Louisiana Derby, a major prep for the Kentucky Derby. He cites Rachel Alexandra, Risen Star, A Letter To Harry and Gun Runner as some of the most memorable champions he has photographed at Fair Grounds.

He became part of the first father-son Fair Grounds Press Box Hall of Fame, when he was inducted in 2014.

Several years, ago, Hodges added his daughter, Amanda Hodges Weir, to his operation.  She began shooting in New Orleans periodically in 2011, but came to the business full time in 2015.

“It’s great to work with my dad,” said Amanda. “I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. He’s patient and very encouraging.”

Hodges Photography also has the contract at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Shreveport. Ann Switalski handles the day-to-day duties for both the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred meets, with Lou coming in for the bigger race days, including Super Derby in September.

Iconic Shots

Hodges continues to add to his repertoire and create iconic images at Fair Grounds. In addition to post parade, stretch, wire and comeback shots, Lou and Amanda, with their Cannon equipment and various telephoto lenses, are always in search of shots with a “wow” factor.

Lou wanted to recreate a photo of horses rounding the far turn in front of the grandstand and accomplished that goal on Thanksgiving Day.

“It was a picture I have wanted to take for several years,” he explained. “But, several things had to be in order. I needed good weather, a long race and the ability to be on a lift high enough to get the desired angle.”

With the support of Gabe Martin, a member of the Fair Grounds facility maintenance staff, who was using a hydraulic Snorkel Lift for a light bulb replacement, Hodges stood 60 feet above the track to get his shot.

“I’m not crazy about heights, but needed to be up that high to get what I wanted,” he said.

There are many photographs he is proud of, including a beautiful sunset image of Gun Runner in the 2016 Risen Star and Calvin Borel giving Rachel Alexandra a congratulatory pat as she won the Fair Ground Oaks in 2009.

But believe it or not, as much as he enjoys the graded stakes runners and Eclipse Award-winning champions, he appreciates the maiden and allowance winners just as much.

Digital photography has added both ease and dimension to racing photography. Lou and Amanda take pride in creating composite photo arrangements for winning connections.

“We take a lot of photos for connections who may never win a graded stakes race,” he said. “To see the look on their faces when they pick up their photos is really neat and means a lot to us.”

Jazz Enthusiast

Hodges loves jazz music, with the late Dave Brubeck cited as one of his favorite artists. Fair Grounds is home to the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which takes place after the conclusion of the Thoroughbred racing season.  Set-up for the event is a massive undertaking and the Jazz Fest organizers move in and take control at full throttle.  One year, Lou entered the Fair Grounds press box to take an aerial photo of the infield. However, he was refused entrance by the Jazz Fest staff.

“I pointed to my picture on the wall,” said Hodges. “But my Hall of Fame status didn’t make an impact on them!”

Nonetheless, he has high regard for the annual event, preferring to enjoy the festivities from the infield versus the grandstand and elite press box.

No Signs of Slowing Down

Hodges has been a part of a remarkable and often unpredictable history at Fair Grounds. In addition to the racing glory, he has seen the racetrack go through catastrophic events, including the grandstand fire of 1993 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

You might think that after over four decades, the grind of  racetrack photography would dull his enthusiasm, but that is far from the case with Lou Hodges.

“Actually, it’s more exciting than ever,” he stated. “It used to be a maddening process in the dark room and composite photos were pretty much impossible. Now with digital photography, there is so much more we can do.”

Ryan Martin, Fair Grounds’ Racing Media Relations Coordinator works closely with Hodges Photography and appreciates Lou for both his personality and professionalism.

“Lou Hodges is a very valuable asset to the Fair Grounds team,” said Martin. “Both he and Amanda do a fabulous job in what they do and are a pleasure to work with. Whenever I need to photo to include with press releases or to post to social media, I can always count on Hodges to come through with a solid, top quality image. He has decades of experience in doing what he does and his work is a massive reflection of that. Aside from his work, Lou is a very great person who is always happy to help out. Racing is anything but short of talented photographers and Lou Hodges is no exception.”

Now 70, Hodges began shooting photos with his dad at Fair Grounds when he was just 12-years-old. He gets a kick out of some the faithful “old timers” who tease him about still “hanging around”, and enjoys working with staffers, many of whom are forty years his junior.

“I’m surrounded by young people, but can outlast them all,” enthusiastically proclaimed Hodges.

Martha Claussen has been prominent in the racing industry since 1997 as a publicist, writer and handicapper.