I love photographing people at places they love, where they feel in their element and are engaged in what they enjoy! As such, newly engaged, Cathy and Chris both own and ride horses. So, after doing about a half hour shoot at their home, the idea dawned upon them, to take a short scoot over to the stables, where they keep their horses, and resume engagement photos there.
It was the first time I had been to the Marana Equestrian Center. It was also the first time I ever photographed equine and human, together. To formulate some ideas, I had to draw from imagery, indelibly, collected in my brain over time. I once rode on horseback, about twenty years ago. I, also, enjoyed watching Western movies growing up, all of which undoubtedly helped the cause. Still, there is nothing like gaining hands on experience. For that, I am grateful to Cathy and Chris, for giving me the opportunity.
It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance!Let’s Ride!Happy Trails
Happy Trails, Indeed
Days’ End“Much obliged” to additional cast members, Sonny (left images) an eighteen-year-old gelding and Yogi (right images) a seven-year-old John Mule for their bridled participation and co-operation. The pleasure was all mine!
Happy trails…until we meet again, in October (for the wedding)!
Paul Van Helden is a professional headshot, portraits, event, nature, still life and landscape photographer, based in Tucson Arizona. Some of his published credits include The Valley Wedding Pages and Sierra Club.
Paul has worked professionally for over thirty years. Biologist and nature photographer Fred Dodd Jr. first introduced him to photography in 1982. Later, Paul studied photography at Dean College and began to photograph weddings under the tutelage of Craig Roberts of Franklin, Massachusetts. After working as a freelance wedding specialist for five years, he started his own photography business in Bellingham, Massachusetts in 1995. In December of 2004, he moved to the American Southwest, a part of the country he fell in love with, when he first visited the region in 1984.
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