"The Approach"
I needed a horse day this month. A day to just be with horses, connecting and healing. After spending the day soaking up horse energy, I brought my camera out as the sun went down. I was approached by several mares in the herd and spent several minutes with each one, as they took turns approaching me, inhaling to take in my scent, and allowing me to touch, rub, or scratch them. This image represents my experience that day, allowing "the approach" of each horse who chose to be with me.
This image was taken at Mystic Meadows Genetics, home of the Pegasus Project in Lockwood, California on November 10, 2023. This is the venue for one of the 2024 Equine Photography Workshops. The image has been added to the Fine Art Gallery.
"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.
"Rain"
Standing in the rain exudes a sense of surrender. Water or rain can symbolically represent emotion, so this image holds emotion for me; emotion that is right at the surface, raw and visible. I am riding the waves of grief over the sudden death of my grandson Elliott just over two weeks ago. When I thought about selecting the image of the month, this image came immediately to mind.
This image was taken at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch in Sand Point, Idaho on a rainy June 7, 2021. The thought I had when I took the photograph, was how horses simply accept what is. If it's raining, they stand in the rain. I learn so many lessons from my four legged friends. 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.
"Stray Strands Delight"
My theme in life this week has been hair, so when I sat down today to select an image of the month, it had to be this one. I am currently undergoing chemotherapy, and my hair began to fall out two days ago. I had long hair to my waist, so there were just these long strands coming into my presence constantly. In honor of all stray strands of hair everywhere - here is your image of the month!
This image was taken in a covered barn with a single light source from windows above the arena in June of 2021. The idea was to capture the essence of motion in the horse with a limited use of light.
View past Images of the Month on Lori's web site.
P.S. If you ever find yourself in a position to donate hair (human hair, horse hair, and even fur), please check out the HUMSUM organization. Hair to help the environment! I cut off 14 inches of my hair (before it was too late) and donated it to this organization.
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