Bootface Photography 2.94

Born on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Growing up I competed at all the local rodeos, this would be the start of my rodeo adventures.

During my teenage years spent mustering with my father mustering and catching wild bulls, my camera was always on my shoulder. My love for the outback saw me working as a station hand on many stations across Queensland. I regularly travelled hundreds of kilometres just to compete at rodeos. Rodeos were my love and when I was 19 I decided to make it my life. In 1982 in a saddle bronc event I was thrown off a saddle bronc horse and injured whilst competing at a rodeo. It was from here I decided to concentrate solely on my rodeo clowning career which I had been doing when I was not competing in events.


I spent 15 years travelling to many of Australia’s biggest rodeos as” Jimmy Purcell” the rodeo clown. My love of photography travelled with me through all of my adventures as I captured all of the action and excitement of rodeo life. Clowning with some of Australia’s most elite bulls and rodeo clowns. This was physically challenging and after 16 years had taken its toll physically and I made the heart wrenching decision that it may be time to retire, at the age of 35 at Kundabung bull riding titles I ended my career as a rodeo clown.

I continue my passion for rodeo photography to this day and travel to many rodeos capturing all the action of rodeo life. Now based in the hunter valley I would love to share my passion for rodeo and camp drafting with you.

I invite you to join me in my venture bringing you quality and professional photography, printing and framing services with “BOOTFACE PHOTOGRAPHY”.

Jim Purcell