This August, I hosted a two-day beach photography workshop that turned out to be one of the most fun weekends I’ve had with a camera. We had a great group of participants, plus four models — Katie, Eva, Deirdra, and Jenna — who brought their horses (and plenty of personality) to the shore.
Read MoreSome loves come slowly, but others spark the first time you encounter them. That’s how it was for me and working equitation. From the first show I photographed in the fall of 2023, I was hooked. The discipline blends precision with partnership, and every ride tells a story of trust, agility, and connection.
Read MoreSome ideas arrive quietly, like a seed planted in conversation. In October of 2023, my friend Kent Wright, whose Lusitanos I’ve photographed many times, suggested I should think about teaching photography. At the time, I tucked the thought away, not knowing how quickly it would take root.
Read MoreEvery year, I set aside time for a Christmas session with Liberty and Isla. And every year, I remind clients: work your horse lightly before a photoshoot so they’re calm and focused. This time, I did the opposite, I took Liberty straight out of the pasture and into the setup.
Read MoreIt’s in the small moments — the warmth of breath, the softness of a muzzle, the closeness that needs no words. These are the details that time can’t hold, but photographs can.
Read MoreThe day was cold and wet, the kind of rain that seeps into everything. Riders pushed through, horses worked with focus, and I stood ringside with my camera, trying to keep my lens clear of droplets. Then came Heather and Diddy.
Read MoreOne evening, as the sun sank low, I stood in that place and lifted my camera again. Across the hillside, wild horses retreated into the golden light, their silhouettes dissolving into shadow. I named the photograph Return to Home. It’s an image I treasure, because in it I see Liberty’s story, and my own, the place where our paths began to converge, long before we met.
Read MoreUnderscoring the bond that K.C. and Bug have was so important to capture, and at the same time we also wanted to do the photos where Bug appears to not be wearing a halter (a halter-less horse at the beach is NOT something I would recommend}. We had no trouble by using long piece of paracord fashioned and worn as halter, Bug was fabulous and cooperative and the images came out beautifully.
Read MoreYou’ve heard the term “It’s like wrangling cats,” right? Try wrangling baby chicks! A recent shoot brought a mix of giggles, a test of vigilance and very quick hands!
Heather Andreini owns and operates Black Horse Farm in Woodinville, a charming oasis filled with lovable critters large and small, from Highland cows and miniature donkeys to unique, heritage chicken breeds, and so much
Read MoreThere’s planning, and then there’s what happens naturally. Shoots can become convivial and festive when sessions are conducted in a group, pop-up format. Sure, there’s a method to executing these, but the perfect example was a recent pop-up I had the privilege of shooting in Tenino, Wash., with a fabulous group of women, their horses and dogs. I’m ready for the next one already!
Read MoreWelcome to a new perspective, one that delves beyond what you glimpse through my lens. My commitment, passion and experiences merit some storytelling, which I periodically plan to share in this blog. So often in photography, you just see the end product. There’s so much that goes into my work, and much more that led me on this path. A big part of what brought me to this profession is Liberty, my equine companion. She’s an integral part of who I am and what I do, so let’s start there…
Read More
