Horses and High Heels | Moncton Equine Photographer

There was no question in my mind, I knew as I was driving out the driveway what I would call this blog entry. Which is a relief, if you look back, some titles have been less than exciting, and some very cliche (ewwww)

But what else could you title a story about a gal, who is obsessed with those two very things?

I remember Sarah and BJ from the very first horse show I ever attended with any kind of an official status. I handed out business cards at the show, in hopes that someone would see something they liked, I remember the email from Sarah, in fact, I still have it. If I had time to drag out my old pc and search through the archives I'd pull it out, but, it was one of my very first emails that made me cry. No, no she wasn't mean, in fact, quite the opposite. She talked about how I made Bj and her look like superstars, heck, that wasn't really me, I just shoot what I see! She became one of my first and most loyal clients and in turn, a friend.

I was excited when Sarah contacted me early this spring, I couldn't wait to see these two outside of the show ring, in their element, doing what they do. They have always made an awesome team in the show pen, so I knew that their bond at home would be true, natural and easy to capture. They didn't disappoint, and neither did the weather. Seriously, I couldn't have ordered better lighting if I tried.

So here is Sarah and BJ, this is what we captured.

See, perfect lighting!

He took good care of her, BJ is a big boy, over 16hh!

See what I mean, natural, and happy.

The details, hers...

and his.

Backdrop to die for out behind the outdoor pen

More of that sweet lighting at the barn door.

And, the shoes! I was down in the dirt shooting these, but it was worth it!

I laughed to myself when I saw this, his shiny toes in the background, her beautiful shoes in that beautiful sunlight. It was another beautiful shot.

Thanks Sarah and BJ!

The Ridge. | Moncton Equine Photographer

I love sleeping in. I love my bed... especially in the morning. However, a guaranteed way to get me out of bed, with a bit of a spring in my step, is to promise me a perfect day with beautiful people and horses to photograph.

It's funny, a road that I have driven by countless times in my life, always intrigued me, but driving by meant we were either on the way to the camp, or coming home, so I had never explored it.

So last Thursday, I got up extra early to drive down this road to meet beautiful people and their horses.

And not just any horses. A beautiful filly, whose sire is the great Gatsby, of Foxdale Farm and two beautiful rescued Thoroughbreds, right out of New York. We joked it was a "Sex in the City" Shoot, but couldn't decide who could be Carrie and who could be Samantha!! Needless to say, we had lots of laughs, and I got to take pictures of beautiful people and beautiful horses.

Without further delay, here is the first beauty. Gradie.

And the Gang. These folks were quite leary of me, well, mostly my camera, so I got lots of great action shots when they were let out to pasture.

And what a pasture it is!

These are the two gals from New York. They travelled to their new homes together, and now just live a minute walk from each other. We'll pretend that they remained civil to each other!

Such a beautiful barn, was a lot of fun to play with the lighting in there.

What did I tell you about beautiful people, and beautiful horses...

Such a sweetheart, she sure loves her mom.

And her mom loves her right back.

What more can be said, beautiful people, beautiful horses.

I go back. | Moncton Equine Photographer

Picture it, Moncton, 1989 (or there about). A friend of a friend was getting rid of old horse magazines, my sister rescued them from their fate, the dump (this was before recycling was invented!) In the pile were Horse&Riders, Western Horseman, and a number of Quarter Horse Journals. I couldn't get enough of them, but the Journals were my favorite. I remember looking at the pictures, over and over and over. Stallions at stud, you know, the big ones at the time, Zippo Pine Bar, Impressive, Zips Chocolate Chip, Genuine Doc, etc. Reading the ads for people showing at Congress and Worlds. I remember looking at those pictures, the details, the set ups, over and over, until the pages were nearly falling out. I remember picking out my favorites, and my favorites were in different categories, because, well, that's how nerdy I was/am. Favorites by most original name, colors used in the ad to compliment the horse, and best background. I remember chuckling at unfortunate pictures, you know the ones where you have a side profile shot and someone is standing on the other side of the horse, and suddenly, when you look quick, their leg looks like an appendage that nice horses don't bring out in public. I still laugh when I capture those myself. (by the way, if I have one of those of your horse, it's an easy fix to get rid of it, so don't pass up a good side shot because your horse is showing more of themselves, than you'd wanted!)

Safe to say, I loved those magazines.

Now, imagine my reaction when asked to create an ad for a magazine, just like the ones that I had poured over as a kid. I was immediately nervous, excited, happy, overwhelmed, you name it, I felt it. I worked with Shawna & Marven of MacLean Quarter Horses, from Prince Edward Island, Taylor Fielding, and Edie or "Shes that Sweet". At the time of the design Taylor and Edie were sitting in 7th place in the Nation in Youth 14-18 Western Pleasure, the whole team will be traveling and competing at The All American Quarter Horse Congress this year.

The long wait is finally over, the current issue of The Equine Chronicle was released today, and uploaded to their website. It's a little bit surreal, I've probably overloaded their server with views of it myself, just to be sure that I'm not dreaming, that it's really there!

Here is a copy of the Ad design, if you'd like to see it in the magazine, go to The Equine Chronicle and click on the link on the right hand side of the page to view the digital version. It sits on page 201.

Thanks to everyone involved who made this possible. I can't wait to have my own copy in my hands. It makes me wonder, if someone, somewhere out there, will look through the magazine and be inspired as I once was. It's a nice thought anyway.

Thank you.

I just wanted to thank you all for your patience with me this past week. I'm back to work now and trying to catch up, as quickly as possible.

As a thank you to you, I've decided to offer a special promotion. On any horse show product purchases. When you spend $100, you'll receive a $20 credit. This offer is valid between June 26, 2010 and December 31, 2010. No cash value. Not combinable with other offers. Not applicable to photo shoot payments.

Have you already purchased $100 worth of products? Awesome, your credit is waiting for you to claim! Bonus, the $100 purchase doesn't have to be made all at the same time!!

Hot... Principly Hot | Moncton Equine Photographer

Heading back to the MQHA show again tomorrow, day 3 of the 4 day show, but before going to bed, I wanted to share just a quick preview of the photos from a shoot this afternoon. Prince & his mom, until I have more sleep and time to edit the rest, this will have to do!

Ahh, yeah, not her sister, her mom. They are both beauties! Thanks Girls, I had a blast doing your photos!