A Very Long Photo Essay: Five Years at Camelot Auction

There’ll never be another Camelot again.

A New Jersey livestock auction was the furthest thing from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ mind when she said those words, but it doesn’t make the quote any less true. Five years ago, I photographed the horses at Camelot Auction in Cranbury, NJ for the first time. Over photographed 4,500 equines (including my rough estimate of over 400 ponies, 400 Paints and pintos, 375 Quarter Horses, 300 Thoroughbreds, 220 gaited horses, 200 donkeys, 160 miniature horses, 150 draft horses, 140 Appaloosas, 120 Haflingers, 100 Standardbreds, 100 Arabians, 80 mules, 50 warmbloods, and hundreds with no breed announced) later, I’m paying my last visit to Camelot, camera in hand. Auction owners Frank and Monica Carper will hold their final livestock sale on Wednesday, December 17, and an era will end. The property will be leased and the horse sale will continue under another name.

Although the horse networking effort now known as Camelot Horse Weekly officially began in November, 2009, reaching out and helping horses at risk of shipping to slaughter is not a new concept. What was unique about Camelot Horse Weekly was the 83,000-strong horse lovers in the network, the reach that the effort had, the number of horses it helped, and the fact that it was all organized by unpaid volunteers.

As the volunteer effort expanded, my role in the network evolved. Every Thursday, I visited the sales barn and photographed the horses who were unsold at the previous night’s auction. Initially, my mom kept track of the list as we went through the barn, and I photographed the horses loose in the pens. After a few months, friends accompanied me in the pens and held the horses for the photos. If you’ve ever photographed horses, you know how precise things need to be to get just the right angle and just the right pose. My friend Rachel has a great talent for posing horses in photos, and once we started bringing the horses outside, the photos took on a new look. Chronic back pain forced me to reduce the amount of time that I spent doing photo work, and Ida and Mark Howell generously helped with the majority of Thursday photos in the past year or so.

At the end of every week’s photo session, I made a habit of taking “just one last photo.” The photo was sometimes a horse with a striking appearance, sometimes it was a sunbeam hitting a strand of mane in just the right light, sometimes it was a weanling in the pony pen who was too friendly to be ignored. These photos were always my favorites, and I shared them at the end of the night after photos of all of the available horses were posted online. The popularity of these photos inspired the Horses and Hope Calendar Project, which raised well over $100,000 to help horses in need, and funded medical and feed grants through the work of One Horse at a Time, Inc. Related note: thank you for your inquiries about the Horses and Hope calendar. Unfortunately, we were not able to publish a 2015 calendar, but we hope to be back next year with a 2016 version.

Photography is a wonderful thing. It can bring your mind back to a memory with incredible detail. When I look back at my “one last photo” collection over the past five years, I feel warm horse breath on the top of my head while I crouch down for a photo. I smell the alfalfa hay. I feel the wooly winter coat of a Shetland pony. I hear nickers of recognition and snorts of concern. And this is what I see:

Below is a letter from Frank and Monica Carper of Camelot Auction:

Dear Ladies and Gents,

If someone had told me five years ago that horse rescues and tons of regular folks would step up and help find (and be) homes for horses that weren’t getting sold, or were being sold for slaughter, doubtful would have been my thought. Words after the first six months or so? Shocked, speechless and amazed are a good summation of what we thought would surely be a short-lived endeavor, boy were we wrong.

It started innocently enough with some networking and a few pictures from Lisa Post. Then a board on Alex Brown Racing (Friends of Barbaro) that also sent out to other groups about the horses that were landing in the #10 pen. If I remember correctly, November of 2009 was the first time that the pen was cleared. A landmark for sure and a testament to the ladies who checked horses, took notes and pictures in crowded pens so horses got a chance.

Sarah Andrew, equine photographer, called and asked if she could come and take pictures. The next few years are history, with beautiful ‘glamor pics’ and a few totally awesome calendars that helped to support the mission of One Horse At A Time with their gelding fund. Because of Sarah’s generosity with her time and talent, countless horses found a new life. When Sarah injured her back (she’s ok now), Ida and Mark Howell graciously stepped in to continue in Sarah’s footsteps.

Also along the way several new rescues were started, and some established ones got new energy and focus. To have watched these rescues grow and find their ‘spot’ is simply amazing. The lives they saved, and the public education that was generated is enormous. To have been a part of that… fabulous, and humbling for sure. To say that there was a huge learning curve when it came to working with the rescues would be an understatement, but it was worth it. A complete shift of thought process.

To remember the beginning of the Camelot Horse Weekly page on Facebook, wow, just wow. The major excitement when there was 5,000 likes!! Now there are how many, over 83,000 as of this writing!! To know that because of that page and the ladies who started it – what were unwanted horses (and a few kittens and bunnies) have gone on to caring homes in almost every state including Hawaii!! Canada, England and Bermuda too!!

To have our “little ginger dog” Rosa become the poster child for the ‘all clear’, and to have had Penny Austin write stories about her and her exploits, warms every corner of our hearts.

Frank and I started Camelot Auction on August 1, 1994, and here we are twenty years later saying goodbye with our last sale on December 17, 2014. It would take a novel to write about all the incredible people and horses that we’ve met over the years, and I’m not sure if that would even cover it. The changes in the industry and the world itself, from the first home computer and the infancy of the internet, who thought then that computers would become such an integral part of our lives?

After all this rambling on, it’s still hard to say what I came to say, which is farewell. I’m all choked up and stalling about the inevitable. I know that we can’t personally shake each hand, and kiss each cheek, and hug every person we’ve had the great pleasure to encounter, but know that we’d like to for sure! One of the big smiles of every day is looking at the Camelot New Beginnings page on Facebook and seeing the horses happy and cared for. That makes the craziness, tears, joy and angst all worthwhile.

Thank you especially to all the CHW Ladies for more than words can say.

Thank you to all the rescues, words are inadequate once again.

Thank you all for caring, and opening your hearts for these horses, most times from only a picture.

Thanks for creating a new path where there was none, and leaving markers for others to follow.

Thanks for the love, and the hate, a powerful combination for forging change.

Thanks for showing an old horse trader that yup, these horses are wanted.

Thanks for being the greatness that the world, and these animals needed.

Thanks for your kindness, your determination, and for your decency.

Thanks for the memories, we’ll never forget them, or you.

~Monica, Frank and everyone at Camelot

Off-Track Thoroughbreds Q&A with Photographer Sarah Andrew

Thank you to Susan Salk of www.offtrackthoroughbreds.com for hosting such a great Q&A with me. You can read it here: http://offtrackthoroughbreds.com/2012/06/07/qa-her-photos-at-camelot-help-save-horses/. It was such a pleasure to chat about photography, volunteerism, and the Camelot Effort.

A Visit to Zoar Ridge Stables and Rescue

Who said you can’t have a nice equine photo session in January?

This Saturday, my weekly photo volunteer work took me to Zoar Ridge Stables and Rescue in Newtown, Connecticut. The adoptable horses were from Camelot Auction, New Holland Auction, and from a local neglect case.

Please contact Zoar Ridge directly with any inquiries about these horses- I photographed them, but the farm has all the details about them. The farm has worked with them for many months and knows their history, health records, etc. Phone: 203 470 9939 Email: zoarridge@sbcglobal.net

BELLE

Belle is a registered Quarter Horse mare- she’s 16 years old and 15.1h. Here’s her pedigree (click here). She has no vices, and rides nicely. Zoar Ridge would like to find a home for her where she will get individual attention since she has already paid her dues as a lesson horse for most of her life. Her adoption fee is negotiable.

You can watch a video of Belle under saddle here:

Photos of Belle:

NAOMI and DOBBY

Naomi was purchased at Camelot Auction in Spring 2011. She was pregnant with Dobby. Naomi’s breed is unknown- she’s 9 years old and just under 15 hands. She was said to be an Andalusian/Quarter Horse cross at the sale, but her colt is gaited. Naomi does not gait at liberty, but her colt Dobby shows a variety of very strong gaits. Dobby’s conformation and movement make him look like a Missouri Fox Trotter, so perhaps Naomi is as well.

Naomi is unbroke, and is considered a training project for an experienced trainer. She was pleasant to handle for the photos, and was very willing to pose for us.

Photos of Naomi:

Naomi’s 8-month-old colt, Dobby, was also very pleasant to work with. He has excellent ground manners. The folks at Zoar Ridge did a great job working with him- he leads, stands, picks up his feet, etc. When he plays in his pasture, he shows a variety of gaits. He is playful, and loves people. Here’s a little video of him…

Photos of Dobby:

HONEY

Don’t tell the other horses, but Honey was my favorite of the bunch. Honey’s name is perfect for her sweet disposition, as well as the color of her eyes. She is 12 years old and about 15h. She was a neglect case, and had not been ridden for more than 6 years. Zoar Ridge is working her on the longe, under tack and she’s been backed several times. They believe she was once broke to ride, but needs confidence. She is very easy to handle, ties well, etc.

Although I only spent a little time with her during our photo session, I got the sense that she’s a really special mare. She has a very easy-going attitude, and she seems very trainable. Honey is very focused on people, and despite her past of neglect, she seems to really thrive on attention. I think she’s the kind of mare who will blossom in the right home, and be a devoted equine partner.

She is colored like a palomino, but her mane and tail have streaks of darker hairs. She might be a “dunalino” (palomino with dun factor) or possibly just have really neat countershading. Her eyes are a lovely honey color, and her ears are REALLY, INSANELY cute. They tilt in toward each other at a steep angle, and are tippy at the edges.

Photos of Honey:

CRYSTAL

Last but certainly not least is Crystal. She’s a 12-year-old registered Haflinger mare who is about 14h tall. She was purchased from New Holland Auction. Crystal rides and drives. She has a wonderful temperament and would love to be a family pet. Because she is a Haffie, she can be a little pushy so would be best suited for an advanced beginner. Her dream rider would be a teenager that would like to go trail blazing as she is steady as rock. Her adoption fee $800- neg. to the right home. Contact Nicole Bourne if you are interested in Crystal: 973-222-9401

Photos of Crystal:

From the TDN Blog… It Takes a Village: One Mare’s Journey Back to the Bluegrass

Many times, I’ve been asked if I was ever tempted to buy a horse from Camelot Auction, especially after photographing over 2,000 of them. Well, there was this one time… sort of… Click here: http://thetdnblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/it-takes-village-one-mares-journey-back.html

Horses and Hope: My Year at the Auction- a 2012 calendar for the Cyber Monday blues…

This summer, I teamed up with the generous folks at HoofPrints to create a 2012 calendar, titled Horses and Hope: My Year at the Auction (click here to order).

The calendars are $14.95 plus shipping. 100% of the profit is being donated to One Horse at a Time, a 501(c)(3) organization. One of my favorite aspects of OHAAT is the gelding grants that they write. My hope is that a good part of the funds from the calendar can help with gelding grants and clinics.

The calendar contains over 100 photos of horses, and represents almost two years of volunteer work. Since the Camelot Auction volunteer effort began, over 2,800 horses have been given another opportunity at new homes through a massive social networking effort.

Every week, I photograph all of the horses who have been sold to the feedlot, and the photos in the calendar were many of my favorites. The purpose of the calendar is to inspire people to look at horses in need in a different light. Although the photos were all taken at Camelot Auction, my hope is that it encourages other people to think about their own local efforts to help horses. In addition to photography, the calendar contains some positive quotes and information about how to help in your local equine community. We worked very hard to give the calendar a “can-do” theme, instead of a gloomy one.

You can click here to order the calendar: http://www.hoofprints.com/organizers.html

Thank you so much for all of your orders so far. They make great gifts. People have begun receiving their calendars, and the response has been wonderfully positive. Here are just a few of the fantastic comments that we have already received:

This is the nicest calendar I have ever seen. It’s not just a calendar, but a wonderful testament to the love that so many people have for the horses and donkeys that have run through Camelot. So many hours and hard work have made it possible for so many wonderful souls to find love again. It was a great idea to give a little bio on each person that is so actively involved each week. I bought several for Christmas gifts! I can’t think of anything more meaningful

The “quality” of the calendar, itself, is superb. The pictures, descriptions and stories are heartwarming and would be appreciated by anyone with a love of horses, animals, or photography!!! I’ve received six so far and I STRONGLY suggest these calendars be put on your gift list!!! It’s three-fold: the gift recipient gets a fantastic calendar, the calendar educates people, and the calendar helps horses, too!!!

“Just got my Horses and Hope 2012 calendar today – it is even better than I had imagined. The photos were sublime and your quotations are the icing on the cake! Anyone who has been on the fence about buying one – BUY IT! It’s well worth the price and is the kind of calendar you hang on to after the year is over! Thanks to you and Ms. Andrew for your great work! PLEASE consider doing again for 2013!”

I ordered two, they are lovely. I’m at a stage where most of the gifts I give to friends are double duty, a gift and a donation to a rescue. My friends appreciate getting that kind of gift.

I think the best way to describe it is it is like a coffee table in calendar format. The quality of the calendar is great… good sturdy paper, very well printed. The layout and quotes are spot on. Then Sarah’s photos are breathtaking… Sarah’s lens captures the heart and soul of the horses. I remember looking at it and thinking…… I’d love to see the reaction of a pro slaughter person after looking at this calendar… they’d have to be a cruel and heartless person to not be moved by the calendar and I would think they would question their beliefs.

To those in favor of ending slaughter… this calender answers without a doubt “why?”

In addition the calendar helps to answer the question “how?” because proceeds go to horse rescue. The calendar is simply amazing… I’m not a person who buys calendars, but this was WELL worth the money!!!!! THANK YOU, SARAH!!!

Received my calendars and sat down to look it over…laughed and cried and loved every minute of it. Soulful…remarkable…Hopeful!

I ordered this calendar because I knew the money was going to a good cause. But I was bowled over by the quality. Everything about it is lovely — the photography, the text and the printing. I’m so glad I ordered extras for gifts.

They are breathtaking. I usually do not buy horse calendars: the horses are ugly and shot from goofy angles, in fields full of nasty weeds. This calendar is different: the photos carry a weight and depth you just don’t get in 99.9% of the photos taken and produced today.

They’ll ship quickly and are packed professionally so no dents and dings if they will be given as gifts.

I encourage everyone to consider these beautiful calendars.

I have ordered and received 4 so far and couldn’t wait until Christmas to give them away. I looked through all 4 of them and cried and smiled as I recognized so many faces. The quotes and stories are heartwarming and Sarah’s pictures are breathtaking, as always. For anyone who loves horses, or wants a great gift for the horse lover in their life, this is it. This calendar emanates love and hope- there is no comparison- all the calendars at the mall during the holidays cannot hold a candle to this one. A big thank you to Sarah and Hoofprints! Now to order myself and my mother-in-law one this week!

I read the calendar from cover to cover and was blown away! I am also a photographer and love photographing horses, but could never come close to Sarah’s work! Every horse and burro comes through as an individual, and the true value of each shines through. After I was done, I asked my husband if he would like to see it. He was very quiet for a long time, and I realized that he had also read to cover to cover. He really likes it, too! I wish I could afford to give one to every single person on my Christmas list this year (as you mentioned, shipping costs slow me down on that front some)… The quotes are also lovely and inspiring. More!!!!

A lifelong horse lover, I have had many horse calendars in my 47 years. This is the best one! Best pics! Love the stories (even though they bring tears) and quotes!

LOVE them! Not just the simple one photo per month type horse calendar.

Just got my calendar and it is beautiful. I find Sarah’s photography to be so inspiring, and the work done at Camelot helps so many.

I think it is absolutely beautiful. So much work went into the design, the quotes, I can’t wait to hang it up!

It not only brought tears to my eyes but it brought hope to my heart to those out there that are so dedicated and willing to help the helpless

My calendar is absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait for 2012 to start so I can proudly display it. My husband and I spent an evening just gazing at the beautiful photos and reading the fantastic stories….wonderful!!!

I got mine – and I gotta say couldn’t be happier! The photos are beautiful (like they could be anything else) and the sayings are also great. Wonderful investment!!

The calendars are extraordinary! Sarah’s photos are amazing, as always, and the quotes and sayings are perfect. I can’t wait to hang mine up in 2012!

I got mine, they look great, even more quality than I expected!

This calendar is both beautiful and inspirational. As soon as I got one for myself, I immediately ordered several more as Christmas gifts!

Love my horses & hope calendars..they’re so beautiful and well done. love all the little anectodes too….many brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for a job well done. Will be ordering more!

I ordered 3 and love them! This calendar is educational and heartwarming, every picture gives you a good feeling. Sarah K. Andrew along with HoofPrints have done a marvelous job! I can’t wait for the 2013 calendar!

Camelot Auction Graduates- Before/After Photos

One of my favorite things about working with equine rescues and auction horses is seeing the transformation that takes place once the horses are in their new homes and are blossoming with good care. It takes a little imagination for your mind’s eye to envision a slick summer coat under a fuzzy winter coat, and to add 100 pounds to an underweight horse, but these photos can help to crystalize the potential that these horses have:

Gatsby was already sold by the time I arrived at Camelot Auction on a Thursday afternoon in October 2010, but he was so handsome and proud that I photographed him anyway.

“#111 aprx 16 hds Gray Gelding rode thru calm very thin $325.00”

Gatsby at auction ©Ida Howell/Helping Hearts Equine Rescue

Little did I know that he was sold to someone who was going to keep him at the same barn where Wizard lives! I’ve had the pleasure of watching Gatsby turn into a well-loved jumper. He still has that same noble appearance, but now his coat gleams with good care and he is being prepared for the 2011 show season.

Gatsby in March 2011:

Gatsby at a schooling show in November 2010:

Gatsby at Christmastime…

Mimi is another stablemate of Wizard, and she has also become a barn favorite and a lovely riding horse. Here she is at Camelot…

“#66 Sorrel Mare 14.3 4 yrs rode thru calm- one blue eye the one she kept closing- when I blocked the light she opened it, she is very sweet and thin. $260.00”

Mimi at auction ©Ida Howell/Helping Hearts Equine Rescue

Her runny and sensitive eye cleared up in a matter of days and now her vision is perfect. Mimi in March 2011:

Mimi and her Santa outfit:

I met Ursula at Camelot in December. She was probably my favorite horse of the day; while all the other horses munched on hay and rested, she romped around her pen, leaping and playing. She has a sparkle that immediately caught my eye.

Ursula at auction.

“#746 Bay filly. 12H and yearling. Standardbred. Scared and very thin. Needs tlc big time. Led through quiet. $50”

(middle)

And here she is in March at a local barn in New Jersey:

With horse show season just around the corner, please contact me if you know of any Camelot Auction graduates who are competing. I would love to cheer them on and take some pictures.

Sarah Andrew Santa Horse Photos: 2010 Equine Charity Fundraiser

‘Tis the season for giving, and so many worthy charities are in need. I’ve created a gallery of horsey holiday photos (CLICK HERE TO VISIT GALLERY), and I’ll donate 50% of the proceeds to the following equine rescues, based on sales of photos of their respective “mascots”:

Helping Hearts Equine Rescue– photo gallery mascots are Mack the Belgian and Jefferson Airplane the donkey, both Camelot Auction graduates.

Horse Rescue United, and their lovely spokesmare, Trolley…

One Horse at a Time– mascot is Dude:

Bright Futures Farm, represented by Mimi:

Days End Farm Horse Rescue, with fellow Maryland homebred Mary.

Liberty Equine Rescue, represented by Lily the Quarter Horse mare.

Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue, with Miss Tuesday championing their cause…

Frog Pond Farm Draft Horse Rescue, with mascot Magic the Haflinger.

News 12 and Camelot Horse Weekly

Many thanks to News 12 for covering the story of the group of volunteers who do weekly work to network the horses at the Camelot Auction in Cranbury, NJ. It was a little unnerving to be on the other side of the camera, but with co-stars like Lisa Post and the two handsome horses in the pen (one pictured below), things went smoothly.

Thanksgiving at Camelot, by Penny Austin

They wondered what was going to happen. The night before had been very confusing. Lots of hustle and bustle. Men had put saddles on them. Men they didn’t know. And ridden them through the ring. There were people there. Some mentioned how pretty they were or how well they moved.

The tall hunter was nonplussed. He confided in the little black and white pony that the few seconds in the ring could surely not impress anyone. And he wondered where the jumps were. He continued his musing, mostly to himself.

The girls in the group, huddled together, each of them trying to impress the others with their past glories. One mentioned she had flown down the track in front of thousands of people. The older one, asked what had happened. The racing mare said she wasn’t sure. One day, they just took her away. She had been traveling awhile. The girls grew quiet. Each of them had had something similar happen. One day, they were loved, cared for, the next they were loaded up and taken away.

The paint in the corner stared out the window, lost in thought, or perhaps lost in memory.

None knew what their tomorrows would be like. Where they would end up. Some were worried. Others, just went somewhere inside that was safe and quiet. Perhaps they hung onto a sweet memory.

The little ginger colored dog saw their sadness, and taking pity on them, told them not to worry, that it was Thanksgiving.

They looked at her almost as one. The older gelding, perhaps the one who had been through the most, asked the dog, Thanksgiving, what is Thanksgiving?

The ginger colored dog sat down in the pen with them and began explaining.

“Why Thanksgiving is the day we all give thanks for the many blessings we have”.

The mares and geldings just shook their heads, most still lost in their confusion. The little pony, perhaps the most curious of the group, managed to say to the dog “we have had blessings in the past, but we don’t know what our tomorrows will bring and we are afraid.”

The little ginger colored dog stood up, shaking the shavings and hay from her bottom, and began to trot off. But before she did, she told the group, still wondering what they had to be thankful for, “don’t worry, my friends, you are at Camelot. You are on a list and a woman will come today and take your pictures. Your faces will be all over the place. Many people will say how beautiful you are and they will show your pictures to other people, and those people will wonder how you came to be here, and they will show your pictures to even more people, and so on and so on. And soon, very soon, your very special someone will see you and say “that’s the one for me”. And they will come to get you. You will have green pastures, and cool water, as much hay as you could possibly want. Oh and the best part, this person will love you forever.”

With that, the little ginger colored dog trotted off happily.

The mares and the geldings wondered if this could truly be. If this “list” really was. And then, while they were all still muttering to each other, a woman came in with a camera. One by one, she took their pictures. And one by one, as each mare and gelding took its turn in front of the camera, a very special thing began to happen. They looked into the camera and sent their love to it, so that whoever saw their pictures would know. Would know that their hearts were loving and their souls were pure. They began to believe. They began to hope.

After all, it was Thanksgiving at Camelot.

©2010 Penny Austin, One Horse at a Time. Visit OHAAT on Facebook.

Camelot Auction: Eight Months Later

An incredible thing is happening in New Jersey- a giant network of horse people is pooling resources and finding homes for hundreds of horses. This network has gotten the word out across the country, and has even crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Every Wednesday night, Camelot Auction runs its sale in Cranbury, NJ. Riding horses, livestock, and tack are all sold throughout the evening. The horses who are unsold and without a reserve price run the risk of being sold to the feedlot and being shipped to slaughter. In an effort to find homes for these horses, a network of equine rescue groups have created a system of cataloging, photographing, and disseminating information about these horses. The information is shared via Facebook, message boards, blogs, and word of mouth. Helping Hearts Equine Rescue began the organized effort in November 2009, but has been working with the auction to pull horses in need long before then.

The success of the Camelot network has a lot to do with how the auction is run. The proprietors are very professional and helpful. Unlike most other auctions, they are willing to work with equine rescue groups. Many of the horses sold at the auction are riding horses, either for show or pleasure, and the folks at Camelot take good care of their stock while they are on their property. The excitement is on Wednesday nights, and the horses are grateful to rest on Thursdays. Some have traveled many miles across many states and through several auction rings before they get here. They get some good sleep, and they groom one another.

The pens are clean and bedded with shavings, with ample room to walk around and lie down. Horses have access to hay and water at all times. All horses are sheltered from the heat and cold, and more importantly, the ventilation is excellent. In the summer, fans cool the horses. If a horse cannot be with other horses for health or behavioral reasons, the horse is stalled. Medical care is administered to horses who are ill.

In January 2010, I began my work photographing horses at Camelot Auction. In February, I shared my initial experiences and observations (click here to read). As an independent volunteer, I go to Camelot every Thursday and photograph all horses who were unsold on auction night. I edit the photos and post them online in order for the horses to be networked until the Saturday afternoon deadline. Since November 2009, not a single horse in this networking effort has shipped to slaughter from Camelot.

I’ve photographed many hundreds of horses; by my rough estimate, roughly 15% are Quarter Horses, 10% are Paints (or stock-horse-type Pintos) 7% are Thoroughbreds, and well over 30% are of unknown heritage. I’ve laid eyes on a few exotic breeds, over a dozen warmbloods, and many mules. I’ve seen miniature horses and 18-hand drafts; weanlings to horses pushing 30; colors from the pearliest cremello to the deepest ebony black; registered horses with a show record to unhandled youngsters.

As an equine photographer, my Camelot work puts me through my paces. Breaking horsey photo rules is necessary due to the environment. I shoot with a 17-55mm lens and a flash, instead of my trusty 70-200mm and natural light. The exposure changes with every single shot. My ISO is cranked quite high. I don’t use the same angles that I do for my usual farm calls, since I only post two photos of each horse: a body photo and a headshot. These horses are not being held- they are loose. My images are honest- if a horse has a crooked leg, there is nobody standing him just-so to make it disappear into the photo. My lifetime of riding and working with horses comes into play as well; I am always mindful of my safety and the safety of the horses. The proprietors look out for me and tell me when I need to take extra care around an especially skittish horse.

The stories of the horses in the auction could fill a book, from a filly being born to the blue-blooded horses who have been returned to their grateful breeders to the high drama among the rescue groups. These horses have gotten some media coverage and I’ve traveled across the state to visit them after they have arrived at their new homes. There are still many unanswered questions about homeless horses, slaughter, euthanasia, ethics of rescue groups, shady Craigslist dealers, and equine overpopulation. It is helpful to consider all of these issues, and it is even more helpful to set a foot in the direction of change.

My work at Camelot has influenced my work as a professional photographer. The equine photography industry is comprised of many followers and just a few leaders. The dedication, energy, and heart that it takes to make this Camelot network thrive is fueled by innovative and caring individuals. If you are interested in making a difference, my challenge to you is to blaze your own path, share your unique and creative vision, and use your talents to help other horses in need.