From A Horse Photographer: Carrying Forward Small Wins
- Maria Marriott
- Jan 15
- 3 min read
Every morning is a gift. The world presents itself in a slightly different light. Shadows fall at new angles. Colors shift. Faces soften or harden depending on the stories they’ve lived the day before. I’m sure this is the photographer in me coming out.
It’s a cliché to say each day is a fresh start, but clichés often earn their place by being true.
THERE IS POWER IN A RESET
As I look back, I’m tempted to see 2025 from my photographer’s perspective: the year’s events have been a mix of underexposed frames, accidental masterpieces, and everything in between. There were shots I wish I could retake - words I wish I could take back, moments I wish I could do over, situations that taught me difficult lessons.
But there were also the small victories: the unexpected bouts of laughter, the unexpected time spent with close friends, the risks I took that worked out better than I imagined. Life, much like photography, is rarely perfect. But the imperfections are often what make the story worth telling.
CARRYING FORWARD SMALL WINS
Now, half way through January, I think about this year as a fresh memory card - with 365 opportunities to practice seeing the world again. Not just looking, but seeing. Not just capturing, but noticing. The beauty of photography is that it teaches you to pay attention, and the beauty of a new year is that it invites you to pay attention differently.
I’d like to see this year as leaving behind the mistakes that weighed me down - the shots I missed, the creative ruts, the self‑doubt that sometimes crept in like unwanted noise in an image - as well as carrying forward the small wins - the sparks of inspiration and the times I trusted my eye and it paid off. Those victories, however small, are like the highlights in my favorite images—they help give shape to everything else.
I invite you to join me on a few resolutions…To follow unexpected paths, fine‑tune the focus when life feels a little blurry or overly sharp. To slow down when needed, stay curious about what’s ahead, and appreciate the small, steady momentum forward.
And to remember how each morning’s first light quietly invites us to begin again.
Maria
COMING SOON...
HORSES, UNBROKEN WILD
The Life And Work Of Wild Horse Photographer Maria Marriott
"At its surface, it is a beautifully crafted nature documentary, inviting audiences of all ages to witness the lives of wild horses in their untouched habitat through Marriott's wild horse photography. For those seeking more, it becomes a moving testament to the power of discovering one’s calling and dedicating oneself to a life of purpose. On a deeper emotional plane, it reveals the profound, almost mystical bond that can arise between humans and animals.
Ultimately, the film reaches its most resonant truth: in the unbroken wildness of these mythical beings—and in the moments when that freedom is threatened—we recognize reflections of our own lives, our longing for meaning, and our shared fragility. Horses, Unbroken Wild holds universal appeal for anyone who cherishes nature, reveres animals, or seeks stories of beauty, purpose, and connection—regardless of age or geography." - House of Films
Maria's work has been recognized for its emotional impact and intimate portrayal of wild horses. She works closely with several non-profit organizations focused on the benefits of equine therapy and preservation of the mustangs on our Western lands.
Comments