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Behind the Camera
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| My 15 hand Hispano Arabe gelding and I in Mijas Costa, Spain. Photo by Jens S. Pedersen |
Born in Denmark, I was
raised in the South of Spain surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Sierra de Mijas mountains, and was always involved with
horses and dogs. My father fostered a love for photography
in me from an early age. I was probably about 8 years old when I was given my first film camera and I have been learning and
experimenting ever since. I attended the University of the
Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, studying Marine Biology. This is also where I met my husband, a native Michigander and the love
of my life. After transferring to Saginaw Valley State University I completed my degree in Biology and Spanish, after which
I went on to earn my Masters Degree in Teaching. I started
my photographic career in earnest after my son was born with the intent of mainly photographing sailing regattas, though fate
has since then taken me to much broader photographic horizons.
After spending time exploring various photographic venues quite successfully, I have narrowed my goal as a photographer and
have developed a specialty in equine and canine photography. While still photographing weddings and portraits, my main subject
matter and passion remains with horses and dogs and the people who dedicate their lives to them.
I photograph things that I love as this allows me to truly capture the moments and emotions
at a certain point in time as I am feeling them too. I am honored and humbled to know that my photographic work holds a place
in your lives and homes.
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| Me on my first pony "Rulle" in Denmark with my big sister |
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| Riding our Paint gelding Picasso. Photo-Nicole Weir (Co-Owner) |
An equestrian myself, I grew up in Spain competing in showjumping, dressage, and a few events.
I rode many different horses but my own was a 15 hand Pure Spanish/Arab cross (Hispano Arabe) named Sando-Khan, who competed
level 6 (1.30) jumpers and was a champ against the clock as well as showing 2nd level dressage and a few novice level events.
We always had dogs and my first experience with dog training was as a teenager when my
mom trained our first rottweiler in protection work under the guidance of an officer of the Spanish Guardia Civil (equivalent
of a federal paramilitary police).
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| First Obedience Trail (15 months old) |
I currently spend most of my free time with my rottweiler, Gumbo Fitzgerald, who with the help of
many great dog people, I have earned a CD, a CGC, and a TT title. We are currently working on our BH title and are aiming
to complete our Schutzhund I by the fall of 2010. Gumbo is a tracking demon, has awesome obedience, and is very serious
about his protection work. He is a pleasure to train. He is smart and motivated which makes the job so much easier.
In addition to being a great working dog, he also pulls a wagon with the kids in it and is a great family and house dog.
I have received unending support from my husband in my photographic endeavors. (You may have met
him at the horse shows.) Without his support there is no way that I could do this work that I love. I also need to thank my
friend and photographic mentor Diana Hadsall for all of her unending support and guidance.
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| Gumbo pulling his wagon. |
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