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Like many others who photograph horses, our judges began their careers with a dream. And image after image, made that dream into a professional reality.
As respected members of the Equine Photographers' Network, we are proud to introduce our judges for Equine Ideal: Winter 2013 Online Photography Contest.
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Tony Stromberg
Tony will be judging the Wild Horses and Artistic categories
For two decades, Tony Stromberg made his mark as a very successful advertising photographer, shooting everything from fashion to food to cars to corporate CEO’s. However, a quiet but gnawing voice eventually drew Tony out of his commercial roots and deep into the soul of the West. What Tony had gained in reputation, he felt he was losing in his quality of life.
Just before the turn of the millennium, he started his pilgrimage away from the frenetic world of advertising and into a world possessing a different respect for nature and the land... a world expansive enough to hold a deep-rooted meaning and purpose for both himself and his newly discovered partner, the horse. Introduced only fifteen years ago to horses, he has spent much of his time since then getting to learn the nuances and habits of his most beloved equine companions in their natural environment.
"The spirit of the horse", quotes Tony, "is a magnificent teacher to humanity." In both their physical, as well as their archetypal form, horses help to bring us back to something wild and unrestrained, reminding us of a sense of freedom that many of us have for-gotten. They teach us about honesty and authenticity, because they know no other way of being. They teach us about collaboration over dominance. And they teach us to respect and honor the unknown, rather than fear it and try to destroy it.
Tony's work is a homage to the equine spirit, and a celebration of their remarkable presence in our lives.
Oftentimes referred to as "visual poetry", his images truly embrace and reveal the incredible beauty and grace of the horse. He lives with his wife in New Mexico and his website is www.tonystromberg.com.
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Bev Pettit
Bev will be judging the Extreme Action and Black and White categories.
Bev earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Minnesota, graduating cum laude in Art Education. After college Bev worked in fine art, technical and art education positions with a stint in teaching photography at a community college in California.
Deciding on photography as her artistic medium of choice came naturally when Bev moved to Hong Kong in 1991. Carrying a 35mm film camera was compatible with her travel style as she backpacked the cities and back roads of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, India and China. For the next six years she documented Asian culture for personal projects as well as magazines, HK tourism, commercial assignments and educational book publishers worldwide while working full-time as research print manager for a large American investment bank. Pettit moved to London in 1999 where she worked at the European headquarters for the bank for another three years.
Growing up in a small town in Southern Minnesota, Bev started riding horses at a very young age. Her years working in large cities overseas made it difficult to own horses. After returning to the US in 1999 it was natural for her to blend her love of horses with photography. She now lives on a small ranch in Northern Arizona with her family and five horses. Today Pettit specializes in photographing horses, both domestic and wild.
Bev Pettit
Bev Pettit Fine Art Photography
www.BevPettit.com
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Leslie Heemsbergen
Leslie will be judging the Headstudy and Details categories.
In 1996 while pursuing a wedding and portrait photography business I was approached to photograph the Iowa State Fair Society Horse Show. "Sure" I said, and to myself, "How hard can this be?" Although it was hard, amidst the August heat and dust, I was led into a world of wonder.
Based in Iowa, I capture the wealth of equine subjects found on the present day Midwest US prairie, from portraits, horses in their environment, veterinary procedures, and small events. I love beauty as well as history, my objective is to create a documentary piece of art that leaves us with a story of the relationship between horses and their environment and their people.
My clients include Dover Saddlery, Horse Care Magazine, Back in the Saddle, State Line Tack, the American Farrier's Journal, Winsdown Farms, the American Trakehner Society, the Mischka Press and Workman Press. My stock images are represented by www.horsestock.biz and art for personal use is available at the O'Town Marketplace in Ottumwa, Iowa or at www.leslieheemsbergen.com
Leslie Heemsbergen
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Shelley Paulson
Shelley will be judging Horse and Human Portrait and The Horse at Liberty categories.
Shelley Paulson is a full time professional photographer based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. She grew up with a passion for all things horses, so when a new she picked up a camera in 2004, one of the first things she photographed was a horse and the love affair began. Her ability to work with both horses and people have given her a special ability to create both beautiful and heartfelt photos that portray the emotional bond between them. In addition to photography, Shelley offers mentoring and training for photographers of all ages and skill levels.
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Scott Trees
Scott will be judging Horse and Human Bond and Performance categories.
International award winning Equine Photographer / Videographer Scott Trees has been providing his talent and services to equestrian and commercial clients throughout the world for over 40 years. Noted for a dramatic use of lighting in his style of shooting, his work has been featured in numerous international publications, books, and commercial venues. In 2009 he was the Featured Artist at the prestigious Kentucky Horse Park Museum of the Horse Gallery. He has given numerous seminars throughout his career, and enjoys teaching and helping students bring themselves to a different awareness level of photographic expression. http://treesmedia.com/
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