Wordless Wednesday – Hitching Rail
Profile On: Nancy Wilkinson, Equine Photographer
Equine photographer Nancy Wilkinson kindly took the time to answer some questions about her profession – and share some photos!
How much of your day/week is related to horses?
I spend three to perhaps four hours a day editing photographs. I spend from about Thursday to Sunday with horse related, such as horse racing or horse related events such as horse shows, and I do horse portraits.
What is it exactly that you do?
I’m an Equine Photographer.
In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes it is possible. But like with everything involving photography, it is and can be a very competitive filed. But you can reach to where you can make a living in doing so.
What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Steps should include a bit of luck and a lot of perseverance. First thing one needs to do is a lot of practice; go to your local tracks, shows, watch, take notes; watch their movements, learn horses’ personalities, taking photos of your subject, learn what is working for you, what is not?
Second after you have got to a point where you are comfortable, seek out some Pro Bono work (this is where you get the gig, but will not be paid, but a good learning curve).
The exception to Pro Bono work is race tracks, every track is different, most of the time you need to be with an organization, such as a magazine or newspaper, but if you’re able to, see if you can get on with these on that Pro Bono.
One thing for sure is you must carry liability insurance, this is very important. If you do get a chance to photograph at a track also be aware that you will get the chance to do so on a non stakes day, but this helps you for future endeavors. Last I would say sell your photographs on your own to stock agents, at art shows etc – you will gain a following, and might just help with word of mouth.
Favourite horse memory?
Seeing the great Secretariat win the Belmont Stakes, thus becoming the Triple Crown Champion.
Future goals?
My future goals are pretty simple or not depending on how one looks at it. The simple part is to become one of the top Equine Photographers (sports and other). The perhaps harder part is that I’m hopeful to one day win an Eclipse award – a lofty goal for sure, but one I hope is in my future.
Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing in my profession is the passion I have for the horses themselves. Seeing them race or in a show ring is just wondrous. They are by far some of the greatest creatures ever brought to man. They are joyous to watch.
I like to say also that photography is like a time machine, when you take your photo in that moment you have preserved the past. There is nothing like it. I’m sure I will be doing photography in some form till I no longer am able to.
“A large and liquid eye. . . the swirl of dust around pounding hooves. . .these, then, are the images that move us.” – Author unknown
Friday Feature: Accounting (Equine Business)
This week’s letter is A. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Welfare (Equine).
Well we’re back around to the letter A for the third look at an equine related career that falls under this letter of the alphabet. It’s tax time in Australia with the end of the financial year marking a busy period for accountants! This is no different for the equine business than for any other business – finances need to be in order.
To be able to seek advice and help from an accountant who is familiar with the equine industry I believe is a big bonus. If those helping out in the financial area of your business are also familiar with common terminology and costs in the equine industry, so much the better.
If you have an interest in providing financial services to equine businesses, consider:
- They may not be your only market, particularly if you’re starting out
- Getting an accounting/financial qualification
- Ways you can market yourself to those in the horse industry – at sales, competitions, information sessions
- What you can offer to the equine business that is different to other financial advisers who aren’t familiar with horses
For posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:
“Don’t give your son money. As far as you can afford it, give him horses.” – Winston Churchill
Equine Roadside Assistance
I always thought there should be someone you could call if you broke down on the side of the road and had horses on board. Well it seems, in the United Kingdom, there is!
Equine Rescue Services provide support to those travelling with horses:
At ERS, our mission is to provide specialist horsebox breakdown cover of the highest standard to all members of the equine community. Whether you drive a horsebox or tow a horse trailer, we provide the best breakdown cover in the industry.
Our core responsibility is to ensure the welfare of you and your horses in a breakdown emergency, 24 hours a day. Our experience spans over a decade of successful roadside rescues. We get hundreds of breakdowns back on the road quickly each year, with the expertise of our nationwide support networks…
Now in my mind, if you combined this service with a working knowledge of large animal rescue, you’d have a lot to offer horse lovers and be able to build up a successful business over time!
“We gaze upon their quiet beauty, their natural elegance, and we are captivated. They see us softly, in gentle light… rewarding human companionship with strength, grace and intelligence. As they run through arenas and open fields, past mountains and seas, moving like the wind toward heaven, we travel with them, if only in our hearts.” – Author unknown
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