For a change, here are a couple photos of my own horse. We could call this post ‘Artsy Fartsy Photos of Foster Where You Don’t See His Whole Face’. Or something like that.
Foster doing what Foster does best- being muddy (follow me on instagram @brittthebrit if you don’t believe me)
though he cleans up nicely from time to time
Happy Friday!
As promised, I finally have new material! Last weekend, I took engagement photos for my longtime best friend, Becky. We’ve known each other since kindergarten, so it was so special to be able to take these photos of her and her main man! Also, as promised, Bentley made a reappearance, along with his sister, Bella. These two were so cute in their bow tie and flower collars!
For a while, we were worried that the shoot wouldn’t happen at all, with a 60-80% chance of rain all weekend. Luckily, the rain held off all day Saturday and we were able to wander around Charlotte on what ended up as a gorgeous day!
So, so excited for these guys as they plan their nuptials.. and bonus- I get to be part of their wedding party on the big day!
Congrats again to Becky and Billy, and to everyone else, have a great weekend! Wish us luck at the show 🙂
Yet another archive dump… Sorry again!
Anyways, horses have been an obvious subject for me as a photographer, ever since I first picked up a camera.
From the beginnings of studying photography and developing with film…
to attempting to take my new knowledge out to the races…
and all over the place photographing friends and trying to capture special moments. Trying, to capture the elegance,
the power,
the bonds,
and the sheer happiness that horses give us.
Needless to say, it’s been a wild ride, but I sure do love it!
I’m doing 2 different shoots this weekend, so I’ll have some new material soon! Have a great weekend!
This year has been an especially busy one for my career, after switching full time jobs twice already in 2014, and for my freelance “business”. I use the term business loosely, because 1) as already stated, I have a full-time job, and I like to think my days of having 14,274 jobs are over and 2) I don’t actively seek projects, they just ‘happen’ via various channels.
One of the projects that came my way earlier this year was for North Carolina’s Dressage and Combined Training Association, the state’s hub for all things dressage and eventing. Here is the old logo, next to my updated version:
And, we got a little ditty written about us in the NCDCTA newsletter!
Although logos can be sometimes the most challenging work I do, they are also the most rewarding. This one in particular is super cool, because of its state-wide use at many events that I will be attending! I hope the members of the organization love their updated identity, and look forward to more logo projects in the future.
I had so much fun going through my archives last week, that I thought I would do a few more posts that include some of my older stuff. I’ve been blessed to have the opportunities to travel quite a bit, and like any good tourist, have documented much of the amazing architecture I have seen along the way. Here’s a sampling of some of that work.
Inverness, Scotland
St. Michael’s, Aldershot, England (this is the church I was christened in, among other events in my family’s history!)
Sarrastro’s, London, England
Venice, Italy
Clifford’s Tower, York, England
Cinqueterre, Italy
Yorkminster Cathedral, York, England
Il Duomo, Milan, Italy
Not really architecture, I just loved these candles!
We’re off to give my siblings college tours! Hope you guys have a great weekend!
Today I decided to reach into my archives for some non-equine and non-canine material. It seems I’ve always been drawn to photographing birds, and here are some of the images I’ve captured over the years.
One of my first photos from Design School… Canadian Goose, circa 2008
Swan at Stourhead Estate, England. Fall 2011
Another Stourhead swan. 2011
Crows on a fenceline. Stonehenge, England. 2013
Have a wonderful weekend!
Like most people, I find myself of the right-handed, non-ambidextrous sort. So for riding, I find that I am most coordinated and can maintain more finesse in my right hand.
Unlike most people, besides being more awkward to the left, I also I have a completely busted left side. To wit, these are the flaws and injuries that I have acquired that prevent any real grace on that half of my body.
Natural Gait
Some people toe out when they walk, others toe in. Others walk straight, and you stink. Me? I walk with my right foot straight, and my left foot toed in about 30 degrees. Walking straight lines is hard for me. I get this from my mother, who told me if I were a horse, she wouldn’t buy me (note: I learned everything about buying horses from her, and I get it- I wouldn’t buy me either 😉 ). She has, with time and concentration, talk herself to walk with both feet straight. I’m lazy and can’t be bothered. Also, I find my left leg wraps around my horse’s side better. Whatevs.
Love you too, mum, and thanks for the awkwardness.
The Ankle
Labor day of my sophomore year, my friend and I went to return her phone. Turns out my horse, Ivan, thought it looked tasty, and his molars left it irreparable. We went to the barn, whereupon Ivan decided to inflict some damage on me. Not with his teeth, but by ‘bucking’ mid-air over a sizeable fence. I made the decision to bail, and got my foot caught in the stirrup, fracturing my left ankle. One leg cast and robo-boot later, and I can still occasionally feel the effects of that injury.
Hand-grazing Ivan in the leg cast.
No worries, I still went out that night!
The Hip
A couple years later, after I had fully recovered from the ankle injury, I was jumping Ivan again when some horses started galloping around the arena. Ivan had this really fun habit of just bolting without notice, and did just that, careening around the arena. I hung on admirably about 3/4 way around before becoming unbalanced. I then somehow became clothes-lined hip first by a jump standard wing. The impact took me out hard enough that I couldn’t walk for 3 days. The Health Center said I may have broken it, and I should go to the ER. Eventers may be brave, but we’re occasionally also stupid (or maybe that’s just me). I never went, and my hip issues are the most prevalent body problems I still feel. A chiropractor said my hip injury has caused a pinched nerve, but I don’t actually know what happened- just that it hurt. A lot.
Jumping Ivan over one of the jump standards that took me out
So there you have it, folks. A crooked rider, with a crooked horse (whose bum side is also his left). When all else fails, turn right.
As promised, here is puppy-pic-poluted post numero dos! Bentley is a 3 month old Shorkie (Shih Tzu X Yorkie) mix that belongs to one of my best friends. I just loved his little expressions and all that fluff! So glad we were able to snap a few photos of this little guy- and I’ll be seeing him again when I return to take my friend’s engagement photos next month! Hooray, more Bentley!
Have a great weekend!
Ready for puppy-poluted post number one? Here ya go!
Sampson is a 3 month old German Shepherd, and the newest addition at my parent’s house. He is potentially the floppiest puppy I have ever seen, with these super expressive eyes that make you want to melt. In true GSD fashion, when he’s not wrestling the other puppy at the house, he follows my mum around like, well, a puppy. He even sleeps just outside her door, the way my GSD Drake does. Completely adorable!
Sampson does have a couple of siblings still available in Florida- if you or someone you know is interested please shoot me a message and I’ll give you the details!
Have a great weekend, guys! I’m off to a horse show!
If you were expecting another lesson recap, sorry. While I was away visiting my parents it dumped rain at home and the jumping arena had standing water in it- so, no jumping lesson for me. I will be trying to reschedule that lesson, but unfortunately don’t think it’s going to happen before the show this weekend. I’m on my lonesome, but I still think I picked up enough wisdom tid-bits to see me through one or two quality jump schools. As long as I keep my head on my shoulders. Ha, easier said than done.
Lots of showers make for pretty flowers
Otherwise, it was somewhat of a long, emotional weekend, but I got to visit with people I haven’t seen in a while, and help pick out bridesmaids dresses for a wedding I’ll be in in April! It just happens to be a sexy-ish figure hugging number, so my days of fro-yo and free M&M’s are numbered.
I do, however, have lots of puppy photos to share with you this week, and next!
Until then, keep it real folks.
Red on the Right 