Syracuse University alum Barbara Livingston honored for 50 years in horse racing photography
Barbara Livingston, a 1984 Syracuse University graduate, has spent five decades capturing the world of horse racing, earning six Eclipse Awards and inspiring students and families across Central New York.
Barbara Livingston’s camera has followed thoroughbreds from the backstretch at Saratoga to the winner’s circle at Belmont, but her roots run straight through Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, according to Syracuse University News.
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Livingston, who graduated in 1984, now serves as chief photographer for the Daily Racing Form. She has earned six Eclipse Awards, the top honor in horse racing photography. Her career started early: at age 10, her parents drove her from Schenectady up to Saratoga Race Course, where she snapped her first photos of legends like Secretariat and Ruffian.
By The Numbers
- 50 years: Barbara Livingston has spent five decades photographing horse racing, per Syracuse University News.
- 6 Eclipse Awards: Livingston has received four for photography and two for audio/multimedia projects, according to Syracuse University News.
- $50,000: Livingston’s photography has helped raise more than $50,000 for equine aftercare, per Syracuse University News.
Livingston’s CNY roots and impact on students
Livingston’s earliest assignments at Syracuse University often featured horses, whether she was photographing the gravestone of Man o’ War or waiting for the right light at Saratoga. She credits her time at the College of Visual and Performing Arts with giving her the technical skills and creative freedom to experiment with new approaches to sports photography, Syracuse University News reports.
Her experimental photography degree set her apart from other students. She often spent hours in the darkroom at Crouse College, developing prints of horses in motion. Professors encouraged her to push boundaries, and she took full advantage, sometimes driving out to local farms in Onondaga County to practice her craft.
Livingston’s story resonates with students in the Syracuse City School District, especially those interested in photography, journalism, or animal sciences. Her path from a local college student to a nationally recognized photographer shows what’s possible for kids growing up in Central New York.
She has become a role model for aspiring photographers in Syracuse, DeWitt, and Salina. Teachers in the city schools point to her career as proof that creative interests can lead to real opportunities. Livingston’s patience, waiting hours for the perfect sunrise shot at Saratoga, mirrors the persistence educators try to instill in their students.
Her “Old Friends” book series, which documents the lives of retired thoroughbred racehorses, inspired the creation of Old Friends, a retirement home for horses in Kentucky. The series and the nonprofit have raised more than $50,000 for equine aftercare, according to Syracuse University News. That money helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for horses after their racing days end.
Livingston’s work has also brought national attention to the importance of animal welfare in horse racing. Her photos have appeared in major publications and at exhibitions, sparking conversations about how the industry treats its athletes after retirement. For families in Central New York who follow the Triple Crown or visit Saratoga in the summer, her images connect the sport’s history to the present.
Why this matters for CNY families and students
Livingston’s achievements show students from neighborhoods like Eastwood, Tipp Hill, and out in Liverpool that a passion for the arts can lead to a lifelong career. Her story is especially relevant for families with children interested in creative fields. The fact that a Syracuse University graduate has reached the top of her field demonstrates the value of local education and the opportunities available to CNY students.
For parents and students in the Syracuse City School District, Livingston’s career shows the importance of pursuing creative interests and the potential for those interests to make a national impact. Her patience and dedication, sometimes waiting hours for the right light at a farm, are qualities that educators in Central New York encourage in their classrooms.
Livingston’s work is currently on display at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs. Families from Central New York can see her photographs up close, including her shot of American Pharoah’s 2015 Belmont Stakes win. That image, which captures the first Triple Crown victory in 37 years, is recognized as one of the most important moments in horse racing history, Syracuse University News reports.
Her photos have also been featured at local galleries and events, including exhibitions at the Everson Museum of Art in downtown Syracuse. Students from area schools have visited these shows on field trips, seeing firsthand what a career in the arts can look like after graduation from a local college.
Livingston’s success has encouraged more students from Onondaga County to apply to Syracuse University’s arts programs. Guidance counselors in districts like West Genesee and Fayetteville-Manlius point to her as an example of how a degree from a local institution can open doors in competitive fields.
Context: Syracuse University’s role in the arts
Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts has a long history of producing graduates who excel in creative fields. Livingston’s success adds to a tradition of alumni who have made their mark in photography, journalism, and the arts. The university’s programs continue to attract students from across Onondaga County and neighboring towns like Geddes and Solvay, reinforcing Syracuse’s reputation as a center for creative education in Central New York.
For families considering college options, Livingston’s story is a reminder that local institutions can provide the foundation for national achievement. Her career also connects to the broader CNY arts scene, which includes events and exhibitions that draw students and families from across the county. For more on local school news and achievements, visit our Syracuse schools page.
Livingston’s career also highlights the connections between Syracuse University and the national arts community. Many of her professors have gone on to teach at other major institutions, and her classmates have found success in fields ranging from photojournalism to graphic design. The university’s alumni network continues to support students through mentorship and internship opportunities, helping the next generation of artists get their start.
Events like the annual Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival downtown and the student exhibitions at the Shaffer Art Building give local students a chance to showcase their work. Livingston’s story is often mentioned at these events as an example of what’s possible with talent, hard work, and a Syracuse education.
Looking ahead: Inspiration for the next generation
As fall arrives in Syracuse and families enjoy football Saturdays at the JMA Wireless Dome or pumpkin picking along Route 5, Livingston’s story offers inspiration for students thinking about their futures. Her patience, creativity, and commitment to her craft are qualities that educators and parents across Central New York hope to instill in the next generation.
Livingston’s photographs continue to appear in national publications and at major racing events. Her influence reaches young photographers who attend workshops at local libraries or take photography classes at Nottingham High School. Some students have even started their own photo projects, inspired by her work with horses and animal welfare.
For more on community events and opportunities for students, check our community events page. And for those interested in Orange sports and campus life, our Syracuse sports coverage has the latest updates from the JMA Wireless Dome and beyond.
Where to check for updates
For more on Barbara Livingston’s career, current exhibitions, and Syracuse University arts programs, visit the Syracuse University News site and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame website.
📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , Syracuse University , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)
Sources
- Syracuse University News, Barbara Livingston ’84 Captures the Soul of Horse Racing
