Behind The Image, Equine Liberty Andree-Anne Brunet Behind The Image, Equine Liberty Andree-Anne Brunet

Behind The Image | The Austrian Goat

Close to Ossiach, Austria

The Austrian goat, is a cute story that took place while on an equine photography tour through Germany, Austria and Italy. It was an early wake up call for our group to be ready to go before sunrise. We had a half hour drive up into the mountains before arriving at our destination. I have to say that the drive up was beautiful on small mountain roads with dense forests on either side. It was truly something else.

The Story

We started this morning session super early. After a super late night of traveling to get to the hotel we stayed in, I think we all dropped dead in our beds in preparation for the stupid early alarms we all had set. Me being me, I was up early and ready to go before most. It was a very quiet, calm morning as we loaded up into the van with all our luggage and headed to the session.

We headed up the winding, twisting mountain road. Most of us excitedly anticipating what this next session would bring. While still super dark you could see the dense forest on either side of the road, giving us zero clues of what the landscape was going to look like when we got to our location. All we knew is that we were heading to a massive stud for Noriker horses. Once we arrived I doubt any of use knew it would be such a picture perfect landscape.

We arrived to magical golden morning light and very dense fog. It was an extremely mystical vibe that was being created between the mountain peaks, the light and the fog. As a photographer this is honestly what you dream of and to have experienced it first hand, it was jaw dropping.

We were photographing one of my favourite draught horse breeds, the Noriker. We started in a massive field with a herd of young stallions. As they began trotting up the hill to give us a show, we were throughly surprised to find them escorted by a billy goat. We were told after seeing him that he lives with the stallions and you could truly see he was part of their herd dynamic.

For the next hour we got to watch him interact with all the horses. We watched him run up in front of the herd to lead the stallions and enjoyed as he playfully interacted with them. He was extremely affectionate, nuzzling up with a few when he could and enjoying their company while he did goat things. I’ve never seen such an adorable dynamic and I felt so lucky to capture these once in a lifetime images.

Equipment & Settings

Nikon D810

Nikkor 70-200 2.8 lens

ISO 400

F/3.2

1/4000

200mm





Images were taken during equine photography tour with Katarzyna OM

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Horse Show Andree-Anne Brunet Horse Show Andree-Anne Brunet

My Photography Glow Up from 2012 to 2021

With the start of a new year I wanted to take an opportunity to have a look back at past images and see how I have grown and developed. I went back into my archives to find the earliest images I took with a DSLR camera. I tried to find some similar images to what I take now to show a difference. It was enjoyable to see my old images and the ones I used to be obsessed with. 17 year old me really thought I was the bomb but 27 year old me has grown and learnt so much more. Definitely realize now there is always so much to learn and continuous growth to be had.

It’s humbling to look back on these images. I see so many problems with them but I also see how much technique and timing I had. Over the years I have taught myself many things to perfect how I take my images today. I invested in a lot of courses and classes with other photographers to continue my growth. A big thing that I did that really helped me learn was study and learn from other photographers images. See what their settings were, how they posed or timed an image as well as the angles they took images at.

For those starting out in photography, keep going. Keep learning, pay for classes and mentors and invest in yourself to become better. Your style will come. Your posing will come. Your timing will soon become second nature. Invest in yourself and ask questions constantly. Not always about gear but settings as well. I have taken some amazing images with some not so fabulous gear. Remember it’s the person behind the camera that takes the picture, not just the camera. Finally have fun and enjoy the journey you take with your photography.

Equine Photography of rider Nicole Roach and horse Heavenly during their horse and rider session at sunrise at Valhalla Equestrian

2021

Equine Photography of rider Candice Roberts and horse Ella in a field during their horse and rider session at Quiet Haven Farm

2012

Horse Show Photography of International Israeli rider Ashlee Bond in the grand prix ring soaring over a BFL Canada Insurance oxer at Angelstone Tournaments during Major League Show Jumping

2021

Horse Show Photography of International Irish Rider Conor Swail soaring over orange oxer at evening grand prix at Angelstone Tournaments

2012

Horse Show Photography of hunter rider Cawthra Burns perfectly jumping her quarter in the hunter ring at Angelstone Tournaments

2021

Horse Show photography of hunter rider perfectly jumping an oxer and twinholm horse show

2012

Equine Photography of horse and rider standing on a hill at sunset

2021

Equine photography of horse and rider sitting by a pond under a willow tree beside a rock waterfall

2012

Fjord horse canter at sunrise in a snowy field with sun behind him.

2021

Horse cantering in field with a blanket and halter on

2012

Fine Art photography of grey horse on a black background

2021

Thoroughbred stallion walking out of barn on a black background

2012

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Horse Show Andree-Anne Brunet Horse Show Andree-Anne Brunet

Favourite Images From The 2021 Show Season

Ontario, Canada

With the 2021 show season now at an end, I wanted to take some time to reflect and enjoy all the amazing images I took. 2021 was a massive year for me with it being the first year I opened up private client spots to the Ontario A circuit. I had such an amazing time meeting new riders and being able to photograph their journey all summer. I felt truly blessed that so many riders trusted me to capture their day. I also began photographing horse shows in a more story telling and engaging way to what I had done in previous years as an official. I really began turning out beautiful pieces from each show that captured what a show day is for many riders. I couldn’t have been happier with what I was producing. With that said, lets enjoy a few of my favourite images from this past year!

Rider walks down to the ring on his horse. Trees and fence lines are in for foreground with and indoor arena in the background. Image taken at Caledon Equestrian Park
Rider is walking towards the photographer on their horse. Third and fifth place ribbons in hand. Horses are in the foreground and background with it being a busy standing area. Image was taken at Caledon Equestrian Park
Rider sits on their horse at the ingate while waiting to enter the ring. The are surrounded by trees and greenery. Image was taken at Caledon Equestrian Park
Rider is in the ring, ring riding in the early morning at Caledon Equestrian Park.
Rider sits on the fence at the Grand Prix ring at Caledon Equestrian Park. Phone in hand as they rewatch their video of them showing.
Groom leads horse down the horse path way after being lunged at Angelstone Tournaments
A wide angle shot of the Grand Prix warm-up ring at Caledon Equestrian Park. Various riders are warming up while coaches and grooms stand in the middle setting fences.
Canadian International rider Mac cone walks in the warm-up ring at Angelstone tournaments after their round in the Major League Show Jumping night class.
Canadian rider Ali Ramsay riding her mount Lutz in the Grand Prix ring at angelstone tournaments. Jumping the triple bar butterfly jump in the Major League Show Jumping night grand prix.
Mexican grand prix rider Nicolas Pizarro rides his mount in the grand prix warm up ring at Angelstone Tournaments. Both horse and rider are under the lights with a full moon being seen in the sky.
Groom holds riders horse as they walk their horse. Image shows riders being seen warming up in the grand prix warm up ring at Caledon Equestrian Park
FEI grooms walks grand prix horse to the Grand Prix ring at Caledon Equestrian Park
Rider and coach stand my in-gate booth discussing their hunter course and memorizing their path at the Melisoe Hunter ring at Caledon Equestrian Park
Jumper rider walks back to the barn on their horse at Caledon Equestrian Park. Image was caught with large barn doors in the foreground
International Irish grand prix rider Shane Sweetnam walks towards the in-gate at the Grand Prix at Caledon Equestrian Park during Major League Show Jumping
Shoot from a window inside the pavilion facing the grand prix ring at Caledon Equestrian Park. A Jumping rider is cantering in the frame while heading to a fence with a man watching from his seat. The grand prix warm up ring is in the background
Hunter groom for Crailin stables stand with horse while leaning up against the fence while rider is in their ring walking their horse. This image was taken in the hunter standing area for Melisoe and the Hunter 3 ring at Caledon Equestrian Park
International Canadian rider Erynn Ballard rides her mount in the grand prix warm up ring under the lights at Angelstone Tournaments during Major League Show Jumping
American Rider Shawn Cassidy making his entrance at a canter into the grand prix ring under the lights at Angelstone Tournaments during Major League Show Jumping
Hunter rider stands at the in-gate at Hunter 3 at Caledon Equestrian Park while waiting for their turn in the ring
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