Here is #5 of my Top 10 favorite images so far in 2019.
It was quite the experience heading out to the desert in Dubai for this picture. Even though looking back now, I probably shouldn't have done it since the air was so bad and I do believe that this day was a big contributor in the severity of my illness. Once we got to the open it got extremely windy, so that sand was kicking up right in your face and I'm sure (even though I tried my best to avoid it) that I inhaled some of it.
This was by far the most difficult environment that I've worked in, mainly because I was not well, the thick polluted air and the jets and planes going by what seemed to be every 30 seconds, which created for lots of noise and activity in the air. And when you are out in this kind of setting with a pack of four other Arabian horses, you have to factor in their patience and ability to withstand this kind of wind, noise and activity in the air.
Each time I see this picture, the first thing I see is the gentle touch of this woman but I also see the happiness that this horse gives her when they are together. And that is what makes Equine Portraiture so magical, being able to see the connection and expressions between horse and human is a sight to see and being counted on to capture those absolute best moments in it's most organic form is the best feeling in the world.