IHPA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE WEEK - APRIL VISEL - International Horse Photographers Association

I grew up in the wine country outside of Lake Tahoe, Ca. Since my existence horses have brought me comfort, fun, friendship, reality and sometimes they even took me to "far away places." The same is still true today. I crave ways to portray them to others in the same way I see them everyday. I had already been collecting snapshots, angles and colors in my mind for years and now I strive to recreate those everytime I go to "work." What I see first and foremost, is beauty, but quick to follow is an intensity and sense of calm, loyalty, and such a willingness to please and even pose, an uncontrollable desire to perform, and confidence that is never lacking, which, at times, can even turn into entitled arrogance. They want to "give" to you, and that is often felt when in their presence and even when viewing pictures of horses.

My imagery is bold, creative and specific to what I have perceived in that particular horse. I prefer to wait for lighting that enhances the mood as well as settings that create an overall story and, ideally, I like to spend a little time watching and getting to know them before shooting, this has helped me in capturing truth in my images. This year I will be traveling to Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Kentucky and possibly the Dominican Republic in order to shoot a variety of horses for fine art presentation in various art galleries, magazines, as well as increasing my library of stock imagery. A coffee table book is in the works and I will continue to travel to capture images of horses that move us and remind us of what a large part they have played in shaping humanity. Although arabians are my childhood love, I personally see something special and inspiring in every horse, whether young or old, beautiful or not.