Wow! My first blog post! I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time and though I love to talk, I suffer from writers block big time. However after I finished editing La Prieta’s gallery I felt an overwhelming need to share a glimpse into my soul. This shoot was an opportunity for me to freely express my passion as a creative. I sent Luis a text message asking if I could use his beautiful horse as a model for a sunrise shoot. This meant me getting out of bed at 4:45am and anyone that knows me knows I’m really not a big morning person but when it comes to photography and horses I’m all over it! I was incredibly grateful that Luis was so willing to entertain my vision. He had given her a bath, braided her beautiful mane and La Prieta, I believe, was feeling like any woman would after being treated to a day at the spa….simply beautiful.
I arrived at Brookwood at 5:30 and was pleasantly greeted with the sound of nickering horses coming from the barn and a cup of perfectly sweetened coffee thanks to Luis. La Prieta was being affectionate towards me which quite honestly was new for us, on previous occasions I was given a bit of the cold shoulder. She has this air of elegance, striking beauty and nobility that I’m so drawn to, not to mention I have a thing for Friesians from the first time I saw Hokan Thorn riding Bold Contender in the show ring. It was still a little hazy and the sun hadn’t rose just yet but we headed down the long driveway to the pond. It was as if she was a super model, changing up her poses by a shift of the head and a look from her deep expressive eyes. She even got into it showing off her spanish walk, I was elated….fascinated!
My love for horses I believe began as a toddler when my father would ride with me bareback on his friend’s horse, Heather. Truly, he complained all through my years of riding hoping I would out grow this “phase” but to no avail, I mean it was his fault after all right? Horses became my healers after I lost my mother at the age of 9. I remember spending hours sitting in my horse’s stall watching her eat, talking, sometimes crying and she’d nuzzle my head and face gently comforting me. Going to the barn was my therapy session, they couldn’t get me talk about my mother in the school counselors office, I was angry, withdrawn and hurting but the horses made all those feelings vanish. You see for me it’s never been about the sport, I’m not a competitive person … nor athletic, it’s always been about the animals…they soothe my soul.
As the sun began to show its glorious light we headed to the paddock where I could photograph her unbridled beauty. I got myself into position while Luis set her free. She floated across the paddock like a dancer, creating music with the earth as her hooves covered ground and I watched as the golden light filled the steam coming from her nostrils. She.Was.Breathtaking. I was simply mesmerized, captivated….enchanted by her beauty.
“The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire.” ~Sharon Ralls Lemon
This session was an opportunity for me to shoot for myself, what I call soulspiration. Filled with sun flares, blurred images, and dark silhouettes. Each image being my canvas that I poured my artistic vision into allowing me to let go and just absorb myself in that moment. Truth is I dreaded finishing the gallery because for days now I’ve found myself immersed in it. A dream world.
Being a photographer, it can be a real challenge to find your voice in the industry. Often I find myself getting caught up in my own insecurities. Am I good enough? Do people like my work? Will I fail? and so much more. I find I’m ever changing, always growing and forever learning new things.. especially about myself. During this session I had a soul awakening. I realized that in pursuing my dreams, combining my passions and sharing my story that I have found my voice. What I lack in words I emote through images, each one carrying a piece of my heart with it.
Yours truly,
Wendie E. Aull
Aullmyn Photography
“A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves – strong, powerful, beautiful – and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.” ~Pam Brown
A very special thank you to Luis and La Prieta for such a beautiful morning and for giving me the opportunity to express myself through my lens.
Please feel free to contact Aullmyn Photography, We’d love to hear from you!!
aullmyn photography 
Stunning photos!!
Thank you Shelby!