A B O U T   O U R   C R E W
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CYBIL FISHER
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Cybil Fisher is the Founder and Chief Managing Officer for Cybil Fisher Photography LLC, a company know world-wide for its excellence in Dairy Cattle Photography. An independent photographer since 1995, Cybil initially got her start as an Associate photographer for Agri-Graphics Ltd., based out of New Glarus, WI. In addition to being a photographer, Cybil also worked in the Agri-Graphics photo lab, printing black and white photos in the days of film photography. In 2001, Cybil severed ties with Agri-Graphics, and associated herself with the world famous Canadian photographer, Patty Jones. "I had always admired the look of Patty's photos", Cybil explains. "Not just because she captured the life and best conformation of the cattle, but because she REALLY knew her stuff in terms of photography. As a classically trained photographer, Patty knew how to get the most out of her cameras, lens and lighting equipment...something that easily separates the really good photographers from the rest of the field."

On encouragement from Jones, Cybil began her own company in 2002, and although they maintain separate businesses, Cybil and Patty still work closely together.

In addition to her work in the US, Cybil also travels internationally, and has pictured cattle in 15 foreign countries. "I have a passion for travel...and love experiencing new scenarios and meeting people," Cybil says. "So I never say "no" to a foreign trip if I can help it. Over the past few years, however, the sheer volume of work that has come into this office, has prevented me from much travel."

Indeed, it was the excessive demand for her photography skills that led Cybil to hire Lea McCullough as an associate photographer in July of 2006. "I knew Lea from way back when I was living in New Glarus and chaperoned her county Jr Holstein group to the Wisconsin State Fair," Cybil recalls. "She has a great personality and a good way with cattle. We worked together again while she was in college interning for ABS Global. After several daughter photo runs together, I can remember thinking what a great photographer she would make." Lea trained with Cybil from July, 2006 until Feb, 2007 at which point Cybil started her part time on limited photo runs. Lea became a full-time photographer upon graduation from UW Madison in May of that same year.

As a sideline from photography, Cybil owns approx 50 head of elite Holsteins and Jerseys. "The Holsteins are great from a profitability standpoint, as the current demand for outstanding cows families and genetics is at high right now, but the Jerseys are my true passion," Cybil admits. Among her favorites are: Alexvale Made Me Giggle and Drentex Blackstar Baby J, (both owned with Avonlea Genetics) Glen Caro Nan 2 and Bridgeview Duke Carmen, (both owned with Gerald Coughlin and Jason Mell) and Extreme Electra (owned with Entourage Farm, Diamond C Cattle Co, and JCL Cattle Co.)

"Giggles", a well know Canadian cow was recently named Grand at the Ontario Spring Show '08, was 2nd 5 yr old at the Royal Winter Fair '07, and has been Nominated All-Canadian several times. "Nan", a favorite cow with all who work with her, was Res Grand to Giggles at the show, has been a class winner in her own right and was Nominated All-Canadian Jr 3 in 2003. "Electra", a popular US Show Cow, was undefeated in 2006 as a Sr 3, and racked up several National wins including Intermediate Campion and Res Grand KY State Fair, Intermediate Champion and Res Grand Harrisburg, Intermediate Champion and Honorable Mention Grand World Dairy Expo, and Reserve Grand Champion, Louisville. On the Holstein side, Cybil tends to stick with strong cow families versus pure show ring appeal. Most notable among these are Calbrett Shottle Laura (Shottle x Lila Z) a VG 88 owned with Todd Whittier who just sold for $150,000 private treaty, and her Goldwyn calf Whittier-Farms-CF Gold Lila, who sold for $65,000 (Canadian) in The Ontario Convention sale March 08. Another calf (Dundee x Savage-Leigh Licorice) owned with Chip Savage, and Jay Pearcey topped the Prime Time in the Heartland Sale at $49,000 last fall.

When she isn't working, Cybil enjoys a variety of activities....including boating, hiking, biking, camping, Brewers baseball and pretty much anything outdoors. Her real passion, however, is downhill skiing and goes as often as she can in the winter as work permits.

Lea McCullough
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Lea has been involved with the dairy industry all her life growing up on her family’s farm, Rock-N-Hill Holsteins in Juda, Wis. She has played an active role on the farm with feeding young stock, assisting with milking, and caring for the show animals. Lea has shown & judged cattle for many years. Through the years, Lea has bred and owned one Reserve All American, bred and owned 3 Junior All American Nominees, and had several All Wisconsin honors. In addition, one of her heifers was named the All Time All Wisconsin Winter Heifer calf. As a 4-H member she was selected to the Wisconsin dairy judging team competing at the 2003 Louisville Dairy Show competition. In college, she was a member of the winning All-American Dairy Show and Fort Worth Livestock Exposition dairy judging teams. In the past, she interned with ABS Global in the sales and progeny promotions departments.

Lea graduated in May 2007 from the University of Wisconsin—Madison with a dual bachelors degree in dairy science and life sciences communication. During her time at Madison, McCullough was very involved in several student organizations, including the Badger Dairy Club where she served as both president of the club and as general chairman for the 13th Badger Invitational Sale which had a record-setting sale average. She was also a member of the Association of Women in Agriculture. 

Besides picturing, working on her family’s farm, and showing, Lea enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working for other farms at shows, and relaxing in the sun!

JULIE DUNLOP
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Julie has worked part-time for Cybil Fisher Photography since 2007 and mainly works on digital photo preparation, and background changes, as well as helping at some of the big shows. Originally from the UK, Julie now lives in Madison, WI, with her husband, David, who manages the Cornerstone Program for ABS Global.

From a dairy background in England, Julie has been involved with the showing and breeding of Holstein cattle for a number of years and she also writes features for Cowsmopolitan magazine.
  

Jenny Thomas
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Jenny began her photography career after training with Cybil in the Spring of 2009. Dairy cattle have always been a huge part of Jenny's life. She graduated in 2001 from The Ohio State University with a major in Animal Science and minor in Agri Business and Applied Economics. While at Ohio State she was very active in the Dairy Club, the Dairy Judging Team and managing the Buckeye Classic Sales along with interning at Select Sires during her Junior and Senior years. Upon graduation, Jenny worked for Ohio Farm Bureau for a couple years before returning to her family-farm, Richman Farms in Lodi, Ohio. In addition to working on the family farm, she also managed the Ohio Holstein Association for several years before working full-time with DairyBusiness Communications.
 
In December 2006, Jenny married Nathan Thomas of North Lewisburg, Ohio. They reside and are owner-operators of Triple-T Holsteins and Jerseys along with Nathan's family. In 2008, they welcomed the arrival of their son Colton. Triple-T currently has a 113.8 BAA and has bred, owned or developed over 50 All-American nominations in the past 5 years including the 2009 International Holstein Show and Royal Winter Fair Junior Champion - T-Triple-T Gold Prize.

Aside from cattle, Jenny enjoys spending time at home with her family as well as gardening, scrapbooking and being outdoors.
 

Cybil Fisher Photography LLC, also staffs several other part time employees. Rochelle Fisher (Cybil's sister) is the office manager, Sue Dahlke helps in the office trimming and labeling prints and maintaining the database and Gretchen Taylor assists with any additional graphics work that may arise.