Nikki Talken + Traveling Revenue


"I live by the Motto 'Never Give Up!'"


I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to help tell the story between a horse and their rider. That is especially the case for this gorgeous, talented, tenacious young woman and her horse. But there are a couple more reasons that this session is special to me. The first reason is because this amazing woman believed in my ability to capture her perfect world before I even thought about pursuing my photography business goals. Photography was a hobby for me for a long time. One day Nikki saw some of the photos I had done for my own family, including my kids and their pony, and she asked if I would be willing to photograph her with her horse; something she had always wanted to do. Her encouragement and trust in my abilities pushed me to launch a full-fledged business, something that I am very passionate about and loving every minute. And second, I was able to capture what Nikki envisions as her perfect world in beautiful, artistic images that she will cherish forever. And the icing on the cake is that I get to share a little bit about the amazing Nikki Talken. I asked Nikki to share some of her story in her own words:


"The moment I was born I was riding a horse." ~Nikki


"I was raised by my amazing, beautiful mother who raised two children all on her own. She taught us that no matter what challenges we face in life we should find something positive and push towards it.


"When I was 6 years old I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Group 4 muscle cell cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. I walked into Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento on November 15, 2002 and walked out exactly a year later on November 15, 2003. While I was undergoing treatments and surgeries I still lived my life to the fullest, competing in Ramtown Karate and English Hills Pony Club.


"Growing up I trained in English riding; cross country, show jumping and dressage. However, my love for horses shifted to get a little western. I love sorting and ranch work."


scroll down to see some of her equestrian portrait session and to read more about nikki.


Nikki Talken and her AQHA gelding Internal revenue (rav)

Person in purple maxi skirt walking with brown horse along fence at sunset.
Brown horse and purple maxi skirt by white fence under green trees.
White fenced paddock with brown horse and purple maxi skirt.
Close interaction with brown horse wearing purple skirt by white fence.
Elegantly dressed person in purple skirt and white top stands beside a chestnut brown horse in an outdoor setting.
Person wearing sparkly top and purple skirt embraces a chestnut horse in a sunny outdoor setting.
Person in formal attire hugs a saddled brown horse near white fencing and green trees.
Person in flowing purple skirt poses with a beautiful brown horse in a fenced arena at dusk.
Rider in purple flowing pants stands upright on a still brown horse in a riding arena.
Person strikes a balanced pose while standing on horseback in a fenced arena during sunset.
Rider demonstrates balance while standing on a calm brown horse in an outdoor arena.
Equestrian in purple and white rides a chestnut horse in a sandy arena.
Black and white portrait shows intimate bonding moment between horse and rider.
A rider in a white top and purple skirt leans forward while riding a chestnut horse in a sunny outdoor setting.
A graceful equestrian in flowing purple attire embraces a chestnut horse against a leafy background.

Nikki started karate at 3 years old, attending Ramtown Karate in Dixon. She has been there for 22 years now and is a second degree black belt!


"In 2003, Ramtown Karate awarded me the Toughest Girl in Dixon Award at the Annual November Tournament.


"Growing up I always lived on the ranch my mother built, raising anything and everything one could imagine and loving it. I am in my final year at Sacramento State college finishing up my BA in Child Development/ChildLife to then work in a hospital as a ChildLife Specialist. Currently, I work at a veterinary practice and also as a horse exerciser and trainer."


Nikki will always hold a special place in my heart; she was my daughter's first Sensei at Ramtown and she just adores Sensei Nikki. Nikki is a wonderful young woman and an amazing example to my daughters (and me!). 


Someone rides a chestnut horse wearing western boots and a scarf in an arena at sunset.
A chestnut horse with a white blaze carries a rider in western boots during a sunset photoshoot.
A close-up shot of a chestnut horse with a rider during a golden hour photoshoot.
A chestnut horse with a rider stands in front of a white fence during sunset.
Someone poses laying back on a chestnut horse in a relaxed manner during a sunset photoshoot.
A person lies relaxed across the back of a chestnut horse at sunset in an outdoor setting.
A person sits atop a brown horse in a fenced riding arena during golden hour.
A horse and rider silhouetted against golden sunlight in a dusty arena.
Horse hooves kick up dust in a riding arena during sunset.
A rider canters through a dusty arena on horseback at sunset.
A black and white photo of a horse and rider in a rural setting.
Sunlight filters through trees as a horse and rider practice in a dusty arena.
A chestnut horse with a rider poses in front of bokeh-lit greenery during golden hour.
A tender moment between a chestnut horse and its companion during sunset.
A close-up shot of a chestnut horse receiving affection against a bokeh background.