Marlee Smith Magic

This week I had the opportunity to talk about the 2 awards I’ve won this year on stage at my alma mater @cronkite_asu . I was recognized as honorable mention for the 2022 Greg Crowder Memorial Photojournalism Award and also got to talk about 4th place in the nation in the William Randolph Hearst Award. I talked about my work in rodeo, told some stories and talked about my background! Honored and grateful don’t even begin to explain how it was to be on stage with 2 incredible photographers and also dear friends @agouldphotos and @samanthachowphoto . Congratulations to you both. 🤍

Honored to represent the western way of life and @cronkite_asu as the 4th place winner in the Photo Story competition of the William Randolph Hearst Award. In 2021, I set out on a year of rodeo features that took me from Arizona to Colorado, through Wyoming, under the glittering lights of Las Vegas and to some of the smallest towns I’ve ever been to. I told so many stories of hard work, dedication and tradition. I am truly and deeply grateful for every person that allowed me to tell their stories and share their lives. I grew as a photographer and pushed myself to get out of my comfort zone any chance I could. I’d like to say a quick thank you to my editor Paola Bovin for allowing me to write these stories; @patrickjbreen for helping me get all my best work together and put my best work forward; and everyone who welcomed me into their lives and the lasting friendships I built on this road. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe this feeling 🤍 Click the link in my bio to see the full gallery with captions! #MarleeSmithMagic

@rodeo0utlaw x Ridin’ Solo #MarleeSmithMagic | @pbr

The spotlight dance of @dancingwithjaw & @em_cermak ✨ #MarleeSmithMagic

Spotlight stills from @aaron_powerrs & @rachel_espiri2 ✨ #MarleeSmithMagic #SpotlightDance

I got competition photos finally🤣 …. all jokes aside i have a couple of things to be grateful for to say the least thank u so so much @marleesmithmagic for the amazing photos there were so many to chose from and normally at comps i get none so i am beyond appreciative! @loveyourdancee Thank you so much for hosting this event and embracing me into this new growing community of yalls i am beyond blessed that you guys have allowed me to compete even when my friends from home couldn’t be with me this community made me feel loved and supported and that’s huge thanks to u! @hull.markus_ ig i can say thanks for coming and competing with me if i have too… no all jokes aside u know ur my best friend and i wouldn’t want anyone else by my side when i podiumed 🥉 for the first time so thank you so much for making the trip and supporting me and being patient with me … even when i was dehydrated and couldn’t stand🤣 Thank u to all my JNJ partners idk ur tags im sorry but it was fun !! And as always no matter how far i go thank u @southernsouldancing for always supporting me and introducing me to this amazing community without my soflo family i would never have even learned where or how to start this dance and i will never forget that! @em_cermak @rachel_espiri2 @ginakerscher and @lindsaydancestoo @bry_loves_dancing thank u guys for supporting me and making me feel like i have lived here forever truly i love you guys and am beyond grateful to have yall in my life ! alright now back to scheduled programming this got sappy quick

A moment for the dips, the hair, and the drama ✨💅 Photos from the Stampede Winter Swing Dance competition over the weekend 📸 All photos are available at link in bio! #MarleeSmithMagic

The sun ray was a paid actor ☀️ Dramatic dips were all around during the Stampede Winter Swing Dance competition this weekend Full photos are available at link in bio ✨ #MarleeSmithMagic

🥇 Lower strictly with @jordandye_252 and was first alternate for finals the all level JnJ Not shown but thank you to @its_me_chantel_ and @alexandrialight32 for amazing JnJ dances Special thanks to @marleesmithmagic for the amazing photos

Stampede Winter Swing ✨🤠 What a weekend. So many dances, so many laughs, and a whole lot of connection on and off the floor. Hosted by Love Your Dance & High Country Dancing — and truly felt like one big dance family all weekend long. 🤍 Grateful for every competitor, every spectator, every volunteer, and every single person who stepped onto that floor. Until next time… 🔥 Thank you so much @marleesmithmagic for capturing these moments! #StampedeWinterSwing #CountrySwing #LoveYourDance #HighCountryDancing #DanceFamily #CountrySwingLife

The panel of judges and experts this weekend for the Stampede Winter Swing Dance competition ✨ All photos are available at link in bio #MarleeSmithMagic

2026 Stampede Winter Swing Dance Competition 🔥 All photos are available at link in bio! #MarleeSmithMagic | #CountryDancing