Thursday, July 3, 2014

Pictures of a Different Flavour - Tastes Like AWESOME!!

Renate, mark this on the calendar.  2 posts on one day! 

There's this incredible photographer.  She's a regular face at horse shows.  Perhaps you have the pleasure of knowing her too - Linda Finstad of A Sharper Image Photography. 

This delightful lady has an imagination rivaled by only the most brilliant and creative.  She has a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh and one heck of an eye for all things equine. 

Several months ago, Linda posted on facebook that she was dreaming up a unique photo shoot where she would be the subject. She would need a cooperative horse and outdoor scenery.  Well I have those so I volunteered my services and those of my ponies.  Last week, Linda contacted me to take me up on my offer!  What a cool opportunity!  She shared with me her vision, using Jose's trick-horse skills and she herself would be the subject (model) in a steam-punk outfit she'd created.  Heck yes, count me in! 

We booked the date and got perfect weather.  My wonderful friend, Susan Scott of Natural Dynamic Photography would arm the camera, I would wrangle the horse and Linda would be stunning.  And so it worked!  Jose was a little unexcited about being told to lay down on very hard ground (it's like cement in places out here!) but did cooperate in the end to facilitate some FANTASTIC images!  Linda said she wanted "quirky" and I think she got that but even more - and I mean that in a very good way.  I love the unique images and the character that speaks through. 

What a fantastic opportunity and I'm so glad to share - compliments of Susan, Linda, Jose and myself!

If you'd like to see more work by these talented ladies, check them out at their websites:
Linda http://www.asharperimage.photostockplus.com/
Susan http://www.naturaldynamic.ca/

Canada Day Celebration at Hawkstone Stables

This July 1, Hawkstone Stables celebrated their first anniversary.  I was very happy to return for this year's "Open Barn" with Jose Jalapeno and we also brought Ritchie with us this time.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity for him to experience more activity, heavy horse wagon rides, all sorts of people and horses moving around and general exuberance. 

Jose came out first to perform his trick-horse demonstration and educate the public on what fantastic horses Standardbreds are.  We were fortunate to have some lovely aspiring young photographers in the mix who were kind enough to share some of their images with us! 

Always the crowd favourite! 











Ritchie came out later in the afternoon for a trip around on the lunge line as he has been on vacation for the past month.  He was happy to strut his manly stuff and we even played with putting him over a couple of barrels! 




 
 

 Yeah... he didn't want to touch those either. 

We played with a bit of tricks as well, haven't done any work on them for a long time.  He stepped up on the box very well, remembered his wave and smiled at everyone.  Once he was out and working, he was quick to focus back on me and enjoyed doing his job.  I think he's about ready to go back to work now, or soon.  Maybe it's me who's not yet ready to go back to work! 


Happy Horseing!