Landscapes In Wild Horse Photography
- Maria Marriott
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
In a prior blog post, I wrote about how a photograph captures a singular, unique second in time - a moment that can never be exactly duplicated. Even if I would try to duplicate one of my images, the situation will never be exactly the same. The environment will be different, there might be more wind, the light changes, and - especially with wildlife - a subject will never be in the exact same position.
" A Splaash Of Light" | WY
The interplay of light, desert skies and dramatic clouds created a breathtaking backdrop for story telling.
A moment both untamed and serene.
A conversation I had with one of my mentors about the use of reference photos - whether it is for wild horse photography or for one of my other special projects - made me dig a bit deeper on this topic.
He was sharing his experience on the importance of putting together a portfolio of images that you think best represent the subject and the way you want to tell the story about that subject when preparing for an expedition, like the one we were in, or even before a simple photo shoot.
My question was, “If every photographer has access to the same reference photos and I’m trying to recreate the similar images from the reference photos as everyone else, how can my work become unique.”
" Desert Grays" | UT
Two wild horses engaging in silent communication against the backdrop of the desert.
The stillness of the moment and the subtle dance of dust create a scene of profound beauty.
A UNIQUE STORY
His answer was simple… “To start with the images won’t be exactly the same. Look at these photographs of a polar bear that you and I both took.” We were recovering back on the boat after a day in the zodiac photographing wildlife in the Arctic Circle (more to come…) He said, “We were both shooting from the same position, had similar setting, similar focal lengths, and framed the scene similarly. However, once we each go back and edit, the final images will look totally different. You see things differently than I do, and we will edit the images differently to bring out what is most important to each of us and to tell the story the way we see it."
THE POWER OF LANDSCAPES
As I’ve been thinking about this conversation, and how to use this idea more in my equine photography, I realized this is why I love incorporating the environment when creating my images. For those very familiar with my work, you probably know by now that I usually favor close-up, intimate portraits of a wild horse. But many times, I will choose to zoom out and incorporate the elements of the stark desert environment the mustangs inhabit because it brings context to their story. The sagebrush, water, and clouds - the wide-open landscapes - can tell you as much about the wild horses as the scars on their bodies.
So I revisited several of my most popular images of desert landscapes featuring the American wild horses. Sure enough, each had distinctive elements that are impossible to duplicate. But, more importantly, the environmental elements work in each image to more richly communicate the story of the mustangs at a single moment in time.
" Serene" | UT
A lone stallion makes his way down the mountainside to drink alone.
Solitude is the salve for a lifetime of battle wounds; serenity the reward for lessons learned and wisdom gained.
" Beyond the Butte" | WY
In Wyoming, a little to the east of Yellowstone, stands the Bridger Butte. It’s in this breathtaking scale, the endless sky, the sweeping plains, that freedom finds its definition. There, the spirit of the horse is as vast and free as the land it calls home.
About Maria Marriott
Maria's equine photography has been recognized for its emotional impact and intimate portrayal of wild horses.
Maria works closely with several non-profit organizations focused on the benefits of equine therapy and preservation of the mustangs on US Western lands.
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