sheep shearinG
as strange a DUALITY as it may seem….
In addition to being a full-time Professional Photographer, I am also pursuing a new passion … that of Professional Sheep Shearing. I am trained, and I work from love.
Mostly, I shear small backyard flocks in SLO County. Please read more about my services, my ethos, and my pricing, below.
My books are now OPEN for the 2024 Fall Shearing Season.
some important INFO & CONTEXT.…
I am trained & certified in the New Zealand method of sheep-shearing. I graduated from Sheep Shearing School at Hopland REC in Spring of 2022. I consider myself to be a novice shearer, which means I am still building my skills and speed. Depending on breed & condition, I can safely handle flocks of up to 12 sheep at this point. Larger flocks may require multiple visits.
I charge industry-standard rates for small flock shearing services. My pricing (listed below) assumes that you have prepared your site & your sheep for a successful shearing day, and that you have provided me with accurate info upfront. A non-refundable $50 deposit (via Venmo) is due to reserve your shearing date in my books, and your balance payment is due on shearing day. Cash is preferred. Venmo & Checks are also acceptable.
Guide to a safe shearing day….
Here is a list of what I request on shearing day in order to make life easier for you, me, and most importantly: your sheep!
FAST SHEEP : Remove all feed & water at least 18 hours prior to shearing (12 hours for pregnant ewes). When shearing New Zealand style, having a full stomach is not only very uncomfortable for the sheep, but can also cause them to suffocate, so please: COMPLETELY WITHHOLD FEED & WATER FOR A MINIMUM OF 18 HOURS PRIOR TO SHEARING so that the sheep have adequate time to empty out. [Withholding feed & water prior to shearing is a standard health/welfare practice among sheep producers across the world. It would be cruel not to do it]. *
DRY SHEEP : Keep the sheep completely dry the night before shearing. Rain, fog, and dew lead to wet sheep, and due to the extreme hazard of handling them, wet sheep will not be shorn. The sheep need to be BONE DRY for shearing. *
PENNED SHEEP : Pen your sheep up ahead of my arrival. Have them in a small pen that is close to our shearing area. The smaller the pen the better. (If I have to chase sheep when I arrive, it is stressful for the animals, and more expensive for you).
PROVIDE PLYWOOD & A LEVEL SURFACE: For matters of biosecurity I recommend you provide a large plywood board for me to shear on. (4x4 feet minimum). I do travel with plywood, but I cannot disinfect it between farms. The board and shearing area need to be completely level and shaded.
ELECTRICITY : Have it in the form of a live outlet, extension cord, or generator next to where the shearing will take place.
BRING HELP : My prices assume someone is bringing the next sheep to my board while I am shearing, and clearing away the wool as it piles up next to the shearing area. If no help can be provided, a minimum of an additional $100 will be charged.
WOOL : Be prepared to clear wool from the shearing board after each sheep. A rake or broom is helpful here. If you plan to keep your wool, have large extra strength contractor bags on hand for bagging your wool.
VACCINES : I will not administer vaccines or de-wormer. If you plan to vaccinate or drench on shearing day, please have extra help available and let me know ahead of time so we can plan the workflow accordingly.
A minimum $100 fee will be charged if I arrive and cannot shear because the sheep have not been kept off of feed/water, or are not bone dry.
if you are interested in booking a shearing day
Please fill out the form below, and I will get back to you ASAP.
My books are now OPEN for the 2024 Fall Shearing Season.
Thanks so much! I look forward to serving you and your sheep.
Photo Credits : Brittany App, Felicia Morrison, Evan Bishop, Hopland REC, Natty Joyes, Amy Granlund