Horse finds way home after 2 years…
Almost 2 years ago I found my way down a local country road in Prescott, Arizona just before sunset. Coincidentally, it happened to be the first official date with my fiance, so I am sure not to forget the moment. Another reason I won’t forget it, is I took some wonderful photos that evening that have brought me much joy. I carry one photo from that 
evening around with me every single day as my Samsung Galaxy smartphone custom photo cover. We both stood on the fence line of this large ranch with Granite Mountain in the background and watched this small herd of horses. There were a few newborns in the pasture, I suspect they must have been 2 months old by then. There was one very dominant Buckskin Stallion horse that was directing the herd and keeping everything under control. We were losing light fast but stood along the fence and shot until the light was gone.
Creating the Horse photograph
Just like all my other photo shoots, I typically head home and download the images and start screening them right away. If you recall in the first paragraph- this was a first date, so I did not download the images that same night. I am not as quick to delete as I used to be since I revisit my files often and give them a chance to resonate with me. As I mentioned already, the stallion was a beautiful buckskin horse. I got several good shots of him and narrowing down the selection to print was difficult. I worked with the image now known as Stallion Breeze for a short period of time and although I loved the coloring of this horse, I really liked it converted to black and white. Like the photo called Ethereal, this image spoke of serenity, a sense of peacefulness and even solitude. It soothed me to look at it. The Horse art I call Stallion Breeze has been enjoyed my many people over the past two years.
Stallion Breeze becomes Captain Morgan
Fast forward to last week at Arts Prescott Gallery during our 4th Friday Artwalk which occurs every month. I was working that evening and we had a nice crowd enjoying the art that night. I spotted a couple standing at my display and pointing and discussing Stallion Breeze. As I approached, they asked me where I take my photographs. I explained that some were local and some I travel around for. Some shoots are spontaneous and some are carefully planned out. When he pointed to Stallion Breeze, I told him where the photo was taken and he turned to his wife and said ” I told you that was Captain Morgan”. It turns out that these nice folks owned this buckskin stallion. We laughed about the irony and of course, they bought the canvas to take home and hang on their wall! A reunion of horse and owner after almost two years!
Jody Miller is a professional photographer specializing in Horse Photography, Equine Photography, and Equestrian photography. Her work can be viewed online here in her gallery section, and she is also featured at these Arizona Galleries: Arts Prescott Gallery, Sedona’s Village Gallery , Dragonfly Arts in Cottonwood and Coops Coffee House at Talking Rock Ranch.