The 2021 Heels Down Spark Awards aims to highlight creative individuals making their mark in the equestrian industry.
The winners will be selected by a panel of expert judges (75%) and a public vote in the Heels Down Spark, our daily equestrian newsletter (25%). The judges have weighed in. Now it’s your turn.
The photography category is open to all equine and equine-related (equipment, tack, products, etc.) photography. Meet the finalists here. And don’t forget to cast your vote on Friday, July 16, in the Heels Down Spark. Subscribe now.
Kate Kosnoff
About Kate: “As a youngster, I begged and begged my parents for riding lessons after they made the mistake of sending me to a riding camp at our local rec center. They eventually gave in, and I’ve been a horse girl ever since. I’ve owned 5 horses since those early days, much to my parents’ chagrin, and still own 2: Waffle and Bambino. I graduated from Denison University in 2017 with B.A. in English Literature, but my job applications were always half-hearted; I wanted to be near horses as much as possible. I wrote for Noelle Floyd for a while before deciding to strike out on my own, and Kate at the In Gate was born. I’ve been bringing a camera to the barn since I was a teenager, and to be able to combine my creative side with my love for horses is truly a dream come true.”
About her work: “I love the earthy tones of horses: rich chocolate bays, bright green jumps, glistening chestnuts. Whether I am shooting at a horse show or at a portrait session, my number one goal is to capture the joy between horse and rider. I am constantly looking for unique perspectives or angles to capture horses in a new way, whether that means getting down on the ground or finding a high vantage point.”
View more of Kate Kosnoff’s work on her website and Instagram.
Spowart/Holm Equestrian
About Spowart/Holm: “Mette Holm is a former national level rider who has competed at the Royal on a number of occasions. After hanging up her spurs, Mette picked up a camera and started to follow her second passion. In a short period of time Mette has moved from being a serious amateur to full-time professional photographer.
Mark Spowart is an award-winning photojournalist who has covered breaking news, A-List concerts and professional sports. His work has been published in books, magazines, newspapers and online in Canada and around the globe. In addition to Spowart/Holm Equestrian Photography he is also a contributor to Canadian Press Images, Getty Images (New York), Sipa Press (Paris, France) and Alamy Live News (London, England).”
About their work: “We set out to create show images full of impact and emotion. To accomplish this we use a variety of techniques including shooting position outside of the ring, and inside the ring through the use of remote cameras. We never shoot from the same position day to day. We work, within acceptable protocols, to change where we shoot from showing different fences and different angles. We know riders have come to expect a ‘certain’ type of picture. We make them, and then show them images they have only seen on magazine covers, only this time, it is a picture of themselves.
Our work will continue to push the envelope and boundaries of equestrian photography. Through the use of equipment, technique and post production processes we believe our work will continue to challenge other service providers to improve their game, ultimately benefiting the rider who we all do this for.”
View more of Spowart/Holm Equestrian’s work on their website and Instagram.
Jamillah Scott
About Jamillah: “The visionary behind Equestrian Noire, I am a novice rider who fell in love with equestrian culture overnight! The proud owner of an Arabian mare, I launched Equestrian Noire as a creative outlet to celebrate horses and horsemanship of all disciplines. I orchestrate each Equestrian Noire shoot with lavish costumes, vivid landscapes, and a variety of horse breeds resulting in images bursting with grace, elegance, and beauty.”
About her work: “Equestrian Noire photographs are bursting with creativity and whimsy. They feature beautiful horses and costumes that pay homage to the past, present and future.”
View more on the Equestrian Noire website and Instagram.
Justina Reinhart
About Justina: “Growing up in the equestrian industry, I was always attracted to horses as a means of creative expression. I used to create and photograph Breyer Horse scenes in my backyard before graduating to lifesize horses. I began photographing everyday moments at the barn, and eventually expanded to equine portraiture and horse shows before making the decision to pursue photography as a career. Now a graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Photography degree, I’m working in the realms of product and equestrian photography to create images that frame narratives with a clean, high-end feel aesthetic.”
Photo 1: Photographed through silk gauze, Hints of a Horse suggests the memory of a horse through the sentimentality of a bridle hanging in the tack room. The distant dreaminess conveys this feeling of being just beyond reach. All of the effects for this image were created in-camera.
Photo 2: There is a feeling when the horse beneath you lowers his head and raises his back, carrying you forward with impulsion and ease. His step suspends you for just seconds at a time, but your spirit remains lifted long after your foot leaves the iron and you rejoin the rest of the world on the ground. It is a sense of timelessness, of tender quietness, and a feeling we as riders have all experienced – each with our own notes of sentimentality for this moment of haven.
In making Afloat, I wanted to convey this feeling of quiet isolation by playing with suspension and ease of movement. Wrapped in linen, the dreamy effect surrounding the saddle was created by photographing the textile in movement at different shutter speeds. Flowing in long, fluid arches, it borrows movement from the stride of the horse.
Photo 3: With a focus on texture and light, this image is a vignette to highlight the form of the horse.
About her work: “Informed by the use of shape and texture in architecture and fashion genres, I aim to provide a space with my work where my audience feels a sense of quietness and peace. I work with textures and shapes to hint at elements of the horse or convey a mood. Currently, I work in the realms of equestrian and product photography – creating commercial work that blends these two genres.”
View more of Justina’s work on her website and Instagram.
Subscribe to the Spark to learn more about our finalists all week and to cast your vote on Friday.