"Side by Side"
These two can always be found together. Although they now live on the Return to Freedom Sanctuary, they are wild Mustangs and live like they would "in the wild". It has been such a privilege to be able to observe the mustangs at the sanctuary and witness true herd behavior. I see that horses form relationships and choose to be with one another. I watch how they communicate and how they groom each other, how they will shelter together. Anyway, these two are just a couple of my favorites at the San Luis Obispo Sanctuary and I wanted to share this image with you this month. It makes me happy!
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo, California during our June 2023 Equine Photography Workshop. The image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
"Golden"
The hills this past June had turned golden and made a
beautiful setting for photographing the mustangs as they moved about the land
at the Sanctuary. I like how this shot shows the freeze brand on his neck
and the number on his rump and conveys movement.
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary
in San Luis Obispo, California during our June 2023 Equine Photography
Workshop. The image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
"Softly, Three"
From the photo safari at Return to Freedom in San Luis Obispo last month. A small group of photographers had positioned themselves on a rocky outcrop where we thought the horses would gallop by when they left their current position on the next hill. So I left the photographers there, and very slowly walked over to the herd with the intention to get on the other side of them and apply gently pressure so they would go in the direction of the photographers. As I walked through the herd, I got a few shots of them hanging out and grazing together. This is one of them. I liked this group with the wild oats all around them! They just had this softness about them. That's how they were with each other and with me. It was beautiful to stand among the herd!
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo at 6 p.m. June 29, 2023. The image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
"Grey Mare"
I hosted a photo safari at Return to Freedom in San Luis Obispo this past week. We would go out and observe the horses in the morning and evening and photograph them. This amazing mare is old and wise. She leads a large band of horses and works tirelessly to keep them safe and together. If they get separated, she will get them back together. I have admired her since I first saw her 5 years ago during my first visit to RTF in SLO. So for my first image of the month from this recent visit, I honor Grey Mare!
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo at 5 p.m. June 27, 2023. The image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
"Return From The Water Hole"
The setting sun is creating this beautiful back light that allows us to capture highlights on the mane, back, tail, and even lights up some of the mist coming from the horse's nose in the foreground as it blows some of the dust out of its nose. I've named this image Return From The Water Hole because of the visible mud on the horses! They've been to their version of the spa.
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo at 7 p.m. June 29, 2018. The image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
"Solitude"
Another image from the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo. At 6 p.m. in April, the sun is creating this beautiful light that allows us to capture highlights on the mane and tail with a soft lighting all around and some deeper shadows in the landscape forming. I decided to make this image black and white to emphasize light and shadow and form.
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo in April 2020.
"Dinner with a View"
When you visit the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo, you start out winding through Oak woods and rolling hills. When you reach the top of the hills, you are treated to views of Morro Bay to the west and the Pismo/Oceano Dunes coastline to the south. I don't know if the horses appreciate the views, but I sure do!
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo in April 2020.
"Love Me Tender"
What do horses know of "Love"? What does anyone know of "Love"? In February, when we celebrate Valentine's Day and see red and pink heart shaped candy boxes and red roses everywhere, I prefer to go to this sweet place in my heart where I feel at peace and safe. This image takes me right there!
Whatever your plans are for this month, may you find your true feeling of "Love", whatever it may be!
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo in April 2020. The world was reacting to a global pandemic, and these rescued mustangs reminded me what truly matters. The image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
Featured Image for January 2023
How we greet the new year starts from within. Find your center, connect to your heart, realign with your soul, remember your true essence, bring your attitude of gratitude, and step forward with curiosity. Here's a beautiful horse at Return to Freedom who reminds me of all of these principles. May your 2023 be full of wonder and delight!
This image was taken at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo in April 2020. The image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
Featured Image for November, 2022
These are working ranch horses at the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch near Sand Point, Idaho. In the evening they move the horses down to the meadow for the night, where they graze and live as a herd. I love this capture because of the motion in the mane of the leopard appaloosa in front and center and for the light and contrast. I converted the original color image to black and white because it gave the image more of a focal point. This is another image from my June 2021 stay at the ranch in Idaho. I also submitted this image for the Cowboys and Indians Magazine 2023 Photo Contest. It is my first time entering this contest, so I have no expectations, but I look forward to seeing the images they select to award prizes to.
This image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
Copyright ©2023 Essence Captured and Lori Sortino. All rights reserved.