Rest and Reflection
As I have moved through the long gray days of January, I have had time to rest and reflect on life. There's so many moving parts in mine. It seems I've had my hands full of horses, snow, a rambunctious kitten, and lots of hot tea during the first month of 2025. Although I don't necessarily believe in New Years resolutions, I am a big planner. I love to write things down. I love to read. I love to write. I love to create. But any pictures I have created so far have been with my cell phone. During this cold weather, I dread exposing my Nikon to the freezing temperatures. But my horses inspire me and the morning light enchants me so it is nice to have my durable cell phone ready.
My nights are quiet and cozy, and mornings are when I have the best energy. I plan the day's activities and necessary tasks. Anything not completed gets carried over to the next day: Store, Clean the horse's waters, Laundry, Sweep the breakroom, tidy up my Kitchen - you get the drift. I've started to add a new and important task. I schedule time to dream. I don't mean that I take a nap. I allow myself to imagine wildly creative projects that make my heart beat faster. I design photoshoots. I look at other artists' creative work. I study Light Room, Photo Shop and Photography Techniques. It's a great way to challenge myself by giving myself goals and events to look forward to. Even if they do not come to life this year, the projects have in a sense become a living creature that waits for me to interact and one day will step into the world.
What do wish to create? So much depends on finding the right people but I am always wanting to create more black background portraits (if you know me, you know I am obsessed with them), and typical portraits of love between horse and human - a girl in a dress with her horse in a wide open field, a girl and her horse charging swiftly against the sky, a girl and her horse standing in the sunset's golden rays, a young man with a Yellowstone vibe and a rugged cow pony... At events, I am lost in the magic of the moment and I am at the mercy of the sun but with a planned project, I can decide the time of day and location. I just need to right people.
Can you see yourself in any of these images?
My best boy will turn 27 this May. My dream for him is to finally have portrait work with us together in our fields at home. He was born at the farm where we live, and we have countless memories of riding with friends, and exploring trails together. We even got stuck in a bog once! All those days and hours and minutes really strengthened our bond. Now that he is retired, I spend my days caring for him and being grateful for his presence. There is something about heart horses that touch you each time you see them. He is slowly losing sight in his remaining eye and yet looks to me with trust and contentment and love. That is what I need captured in a portrait. What is it that you want and need?
