About the Artist

Van H. Rigby, Jr. - True American by being Texas born and raised - Has always been interested in photography. Van graduated from Navasota High School in Navasota, Texas and then attended Sam Houston State U. in Huntsville, Texas. He earned a Masters Degree in Education and began teaching at Ranger Jr. College. Three years later, he moved to Snyder, Texas, and begin the Agriculture Program at Western Texas College and was the college rodeo team coach. They had several winning years as a rodeo team and went to the National College Finals the first year(1973).

There was no photographer to take photos of this winning team so Van decided to learn how to take photos. With the natural instinct to know when a bull or horse was going to jump or buck, Van was on his way to become a successful photographer. With the art of knowing when an animal would give the best action shot, Van's photos made several sports magazines, rodeo covers & magazines, and a very special photo made People Magazine.

With this success Van was invited to be the official photographer for the SW Region for the NIRA for eight years. Also he was invited to be the official photographer at Greely, Colo. for a week long Fourth of July rodeo where Van took and developed over 1500 photos. After another year Van expanded by taking outdoor, wildlife and nature photos. Several of these photos made several magazines with the most famous photo being featured in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine of a deer.

Van started taking weddings and special events and his business grew from there. Van retired from education in 2003 and now does photography full time. He and his wife, Pat moved to Bellville, Texas in 2003 were they reside on some acreage and enjoy country-life with their new studio.

Van is a member of the Texas Professional Photographer's Association and has attended several clinics and workshops to improve the quality of his work. He still has the same policy he has had since 1973, "Satisfaction Guaranteed", and he still uses his slogan " The Maker of Memories Since 1973". He will capture and preserve your memories for a life time.