Happy New Year and Early Spring Cleaning Special Offers

Special discount prices are now available on some of my favorite horse drive prints ready to be framed your way! Quantities are limited, first come, first served!
The 2012 Colorado Cowboys and Horses Calendar has been selling like hotcakes but there is still time to get your copy while they last. Check out the six calendar special edition with Horse Drive Calendars from 2006-2012 with many great photos from each year!
Bookmarks! I love seeing the world as a panorama and bookmarks are the perfect format for that. Now you can order some for your own enjoyment!

For my artist friends!
I get many requests from artists in need of good reference photos for their work. I have compiled an artists reference disk of 130 horse images specifically for this purpose. This is a royalty free, non exclusive disk of images for artists to use to as reference. On this disk you will find a great variety of sharp, clear images of horses from all angles: detail shots of ears, eyes, heads, noses, necks, legs, backs, manes, etc. You will also find horses in different gaits and poses: trotting, cantering, rolling, rearing, interacting and just standing or grazing. Click on the link above to view a slide show of all the images available on this disk.

Year end thoughts: photography ramblings

As another year comes to an end I have been thinking about the state of photography in this technologically advanced world we live in. We have seen a real shift in the photographic world, and not all of it for the better. Recently we heard about CNN firing its freelancers because amateurs will work for free, and this is what a lot of us are up against.
Stock guru Jim Pickerell states that:

"The core business of providing pictures for commercial and consumer use has moved from hiring a professional photographer to shoot an assignment, to RM(rights managed) stock, to RF(royalty free) and then to microstock. The next paradigm shift will be iPhoneography"

While we see uprisings, revolutions and occupations being documented via Iphone photos and video this will become the standard for how we get our news. In addition Pickerell writes about the the trend of image buyers now getting images from royalty free and microstock at a fraction of what they once paid, and the laws of supply in demand dictating a buyers market.
It paints a bleak picture for those of us trying to make a living at this, and in the horse industry we have seen some lively debates regarding the changing times of horse show photography with many photographers who once made a good living providing services as official show photographers no longer able to make it pay being up against poachers, "faux pros" and rampant image theft. Many of the publications and other image buyers who used to license images with us are now also turning to the cheaper option of royalty free and microstock.

While these issues will not be going away anytime soon I do believe that there will still be work for the high quality images, and those providing show services as well as stock images need to rethink their business plans.

Recently I went to an Ansel Adams exhibit and was struck by the preparation and planning and previsualization of each photo. In addition the technical details of each image, how he would carefully record the ISO, aperture, shutter speed and composition.

These days we see people buying expensive pro gear, setting it in auto mode and running their motor drive and calling themselves a professional photographer, but are really what would be considered a "faux pro". They have no concept of how their camera works, and in addition to that they are not legally running a business. They sell their images but they are not collecting or paying sales tax, have no business license and have no kind of liability insurance.

So you still want to make this a business? Then get your ducks in a row.

1. Learn what it takes to run a business.
2. Understand your camera and the basic concepts of photography. Take your camera out of auto mode and don't run your motor drive. Understand ISO, aperture, shutter speeds and how they relate to eachother.
3. Learn to edit. Be prepared to dump many images and only show your best work. Be your own toughest critic. Develop a thick skin. Always be open to critique, even though sometimes it may be hard to hear. Never stop learning.
4. Know your subject. Study work in periodicals and web sites. For horses learn breed standards and understand the trends and horse behavior.
5. Never say "it can be fixed in photoshop". Get it right in the camera. Over processed images will not save an image that was bad in the first place.
6. Treat your professional peers with courtesy and respect. Do not undercut them and do not infringe on their territory. The horse world is small, and word of mouth spreads quickly, networking with fellow photographers will get you further faster than trying to poach work from them. Building a network of like minded pros will serve as a support group and bring you work and more contacts.
7. Treat your good clients like gold. Reward loyalty. Fire clients that shop based on price or that expect free images or are never satisfied.
8. Offer quality products and great service. Offer items that they would not be able to produce themselves. Give them what they want at a price they feel is fair, and don't nickle and dime them to death. Be responsive, reliable and professional.
9. In this bad economy find a project that can be a way to give back. Work with a local group by donating your services to a cause you believe in. Sarah Andrews' Camelot Horse Calendar Project is a great example of how rewarding this kind of work can be.
10. Don't get discouraged. Work on developing your own style that is fresh, creative and YOU! Shoot for the plain joy of it!

Happy Holidays!

"May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue, and may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through" ~ Irish Blessing

Happy Holidays and all the best for 2012 from all of us at ImagEquine and Thornapple Farm!

Chincoteague

Last weekend I spent some time in one of my very favorite places, Chincoteague Island in Virginia. It was an extra treat to share this special place with two photographer friends who could appreciate the peace and beauty of this special place. We saw some ponies, picked shells on the beach and enjoyed some brilliant sunsets over a pond full of thousands of snow geese as well as egrets, herons, ducks and ibis. The sunrise saw the geese take flight by the thousands and gather into their formations to head south, an awe inspiring sight. Nature is a great way to refresh yourself and help put this crazy world into perspective. Here is a gallery to the photos. As you can see this handsome young Palomino stallion spent quite a while grazing in view of our cameras and his color in the brown winter colors made for some great photo ops for us.

Putting Life into Perspective

Over my 53 years of life I have been fortunate with my health and never took my mobility for granted. Then on September 9 on a simple walk with my camera I slipped in a patch of mud and broke my ankle. Yes, life can change in an instant. This fall happened so quickly that I was not even able to save my camera, which was mashed right into the mud. Most photographers can relate to always holding their cameras up to save them when they fall. The first thing I told my husband when I made it to the house was to check my camera..take it from me, your camera can take a fall much better than you can!

In the midst of my busiest time of year I found myself sidelined in a cast and crutches with orders to allow my ankle to heal to avoid more problems. Even when things are bad, there is always a bright side: I received an email from a rider that had broken both ankles when doing an emergency dismount from a horse, and two other horse photographers broke their ankles at the same time, one of whom ended up in the hospital for 5 days and needed plates and screws, all a result of tripping over a cat. Another friend said to me, "Do you understand now how truly fragile you are?" Fragile? Me? Yes, I guess we all are when breaking one small bone can result in such a sudden lifestyle change.

My professional life has always been doing so many things at once, keeping so many balls in the air. Suddenly many of these balls were no longer an option, it was just not physically possible for me to juggle them. Gone was the option of walking, feeding my horses, driving, photographing several events or getting together with friends for a fun and much looked forward to weekend of photography. Each trip on the crutches, especially in the beginning had to be carefully planned. The crutches were the worst part of the whole ordeal, but I can say I got pretty good at getting around on them after a while. Then there were the daily trips for blood draws where I got wheeled around in a wheel chair. Seeing the world from the handicapped point of view was a real eye opener for me and I know I will always be more compassionate with people that have lost their mobility and meet these challenges on a daily basis.

As I allowed myself to heal my dogs were with me every moment. Many days I had two dogs and a few cats as close to me as they could be. My main dog Ollie refused to even go out to the barn (his very favorite activity in the world) for the first few weeks. Animal therapy is a real and very good thing. On one beautiful fall day I made the trek out to the barn and stood by the gate. The six horses all gathered around me and touched me so gently with their noses and muzzles. There was no pushiness, they just stood with me and I could feel their healing energy, it was a moment that I find hard to describe in words but from my many many years of being with horses it was a new bond and feeling I had never experienced until the moment I most needed it. Horses truly are healers.

Allowing myself to slow down I found myself more open to my friends, of whom I found many new ones in the virtual world and strengthened bonds with many old ones. Almost every day there was a phone call, or a note, or a gift, and this was a huge help to get me through each day. It seemed like just when I would start feeling the most sorry for myself a friendly voice or face would appear to snap me out of it! We truly have no idea in our fast paced world how much these little gestures of friendship and support mean, and I am truly grateful for all that were shown to me. On top of everything my husband and daughter took over all the day to day chores, and for that I am very grateful. There is nothing better than to know your family will pick up the slack!

I read many good books, and saw some movies I had wanted to see for a while (top picks: Out of the West, Buck, Driving Miss Daisy, The Real Dirt on Farmer John) and my thought processes have slowed to not being so scattered. I am working on getting my life's priorities more in order. There are some things that are truly important, and some things that maybe I really don't need to be doing.

The cast is off, the crutches are gone and walking is getting better each day. I am grateful for each little step. This week I was able to walk out to the barn with my camera and take some photos. Thank you again to everyone that sent your positive thoughts and energy, I know that it helped me in more ways than you can know. Along with the chocolate, photo, canine and equine therapy of course!

2012 Colorado Cowboys and Horses Calendar

The 2012 Colorado Cowboys and Horses Calendar are available for ordering!

Enjoy 13 months of 74 all new and exciting photographs featuring the horses and cowboys of Sombrero Ranch and the 2011 Great American Horse Drive in Northwest Colorado. Go here to see some preview pages and order your copy! View all the photos in the calendar at this slide show.

All the photos from the 2011 Horse Drive and workshop may be seen here.

NOTE: If you missed the 2011 Calendar go here take advantage of our sale! We also have a collection of five calendars available from 2007-2011 there.

September means Dressage!

Well September is here and that can mean only one thing: time for some serious dressage immersion! Over the next two weeks I will be shooting the Cayuga Dressage Show in Elmira, New York and then helping my friend Carole MacDonald shoot the NEDA Fall Festival in Saugerties, NY.

If you will be riding at these shows please send an email to carien@imagequine.com and we will make sure someone catches your ride(s). There will also be photo request forms available at the show. Web galleries will be created on request by bridle number. There is no sign up fee and we try to cover everyone at the show, however galleries will be created by request only.

I have reopened the 2007-2010 NEDA Fall Festival Galleries for the month of September. If you missed ordering photos now is your chance! Send me an email at carien@imagequine.com for the link and password information!

See you at the show and have a great ride!

Icelandics

One of the things I enjoy so much about my job is the fact that I get to experience so many different facets of the horse world. It is amazing to me the range of breeds and disciplines within the horse kingdom, from the smallest minis to the biggest, most powerful draft horses, from cowboys to dressage riders: I love seeing and photographing them all. The variety and occasional new discovery makes my job always interesting!

Just recently I got to meet my first Icelandic horses up close, and what a treat these sturdy little horses are to be around. The owners just love them and although I have not ridden for a while I may just have to climb on board and experience the ride for myself. This cutie is an Icelandic living at Blasted Rock Farm in Bristol, New York. See the images from my visit here, you will also see a very unique Icelandic mule! I also had the chance to meet some Icelandics that live close by, see those images here. Some day I will make it to Iceland to see it for myself but in the mean time this is a great virtual riding tour to see just how smooth these guys are!

I have created a photo needs list and am looking for horse owners to collaborate with me, drop me an email at carien@imagequine.com and I will send you a list of what I am looking for.

Begin Again Horse Rescue

Last weekend I connected with an old client in Lima, New York that has been working at rescuing horses in need with Begin Again Horse Rescue. This photo is of a Thoroughbred gelding that was in a "killer" lot at an area horse sale. This horse was born in California in 1998, had 85 starts and career earnings of $141,884. The sticker on his forehead means he had no Coggins test and was headed for slaughter. Unfortunately too many horses that are no longer considered useful wind up this way, and thanks to rescues like Begin Again he has been given a second chance. See more photos from this session and other horses available for adotpion here.

While I would much prefer to photograph happy, healthy horses I think it's important to use my camera as a tool to document all facets of the horse industry. Photos have great impact and I hope that images such as this will raise awareness. Please do what you can, whatever it may be, to help animals in need, as they have no power or voice of their own.

"Saving the life of one animal may not change the world, but the world will surely change for that one animal"

July ~ barns, hay and a new dog..

This has turned out to be a beautiful July and with the latest stretch of warm and sunny weather with low humidity we have been taking advantage of the great conditions to get our hay done. It is my job to rake the hay and I must admit I enjoy this work. It can be hot and dusty and noisy, but it gives me time to reflect on things as I go around in circles as well as enjoy the company of the swallows that chase me diving for bugs and the sweet smell of the hay I know the horses will be enjoying when we are buried under snow.

I am sharing a photo of the newest member of our animal family,a sweet pit bull girl that we are fostering for the Heart of the Catskills Shelter. Come meet her and see if she is the girl for you! Go to their site and check out that cute Beagle in the header, that's our boy Patch!

Our barn project has come along swiftly and on schedule over the last few months, it's been exciting to see all of the changes! We set up a camera to capture the progress day by day, it's quite something to see things take shape. Now the fences are going up, and once the interior is finished the animals will be moved into the barn. See the new barn grow here!

Horse Progress Days is always fascinating to me and this year was no exception. See the latest in horse powered equipment at my this photo gallery of images taken at this event as well as the surrounding Amish country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.