It has quite some time since I attended Olivia Danielle and Emma Little's co-hosted equine photography retreat out in Utah, and I am still blown away by it. It was a four day retreat filled with five incredible photo shoots, breathtaking locations and models, and the most amazing women and photographers.


Coming from Minnesota, the change in scenery was a blast to work with. As much as I love capturing up close and personal moments, I found myself having a hard time taking any photos that didn't include the stunning environment that surrounded us. From the mountains, to the salt flats, I cannot imagine another place (at least in the United States!) that offers such a diverse variety of locations to work with.

Brown horse poses majestically against red rock formations in desert landscape.
Cowgirl embracing her horse while standing in the windy sand dunes in golden light.
Wild horse runs freely across pristine white salt flats with mountains in the distance.
Cowgirl bride galloping through the mountain fields
A cowgirl in denim and beige attire shares an affectionate moment with a brown horse in a desert setting.
Dramatic silhouettes of horse and rider against an orange sunset sky.
Horses traverse along a mountain trail through rugged canyon terrain.
Rider on horseback silhouetted against a desert landscape at dusk.
Horse and rider navigate rocky terrain on red sandstone cliffs.
Cowgirl bride laying on her horse in the mountains
A woman standing for a portrait next to her western horse in a canyon-like setting.
A girl on her perlino horse in a field, both looking dramatically into the distance
Horse and rider gallop dramatically across desert sand dunes at sunset.
A red cape flows dramatically behind a woman riding a long horn bull in the sand dunes at sunset.
A horse and rider gallop across sandy terrain with mountains in the background.
A woman kneeling down next to her grey mule in the salt flats.
A girl on an appaloosa horse, looking out over choppy water.

We had several early mornings as well as late nights, to ensure that we were able to capture the best light for all the shoots. Personally, I love the adventure of waking up before dawn, to be able to snap photos as soon as the sun comes up. We had several pit stops, including at the infamous "Swig" which I had never heard of. We shared many laughs. We also took lots of naps.


Our morning spent in the mountains was my absolute favorite. We had amazing people and animals to work with, the weather was perfect, and when the sun started to peak out from behind the clouds, it was to die for. I also must say, as someone not from Utah, the Bonneville Salt Flats were the coolest thing to experience in person and such a unique place to photograph.


*An added bonus from the mountain was that Pedro Pascal happened to share one of my photos!! (sounds fake - I know, but the guy in the photo just *happens* to be friends with him) I'm still in shock over it.

A cowboy galloping his chestnut horse down a beaten path in the mountains

The photo in question - Brandon Campbell and his red mare, Oakley

I could write a whole essay about how amazing each one of the photo shoots were, how amazing all the horses and riders were, how amazing the hosts and the other photographers on the trip were, but it would most likely get a bit redundant and boring. You'll just have to take my word for it.

Portrait photo of buckskin Gypsy Vanner Stallion cantering in the salt flats
A decorated chestnut horse with floral saddle arrangement stands in a grassy meadow, with a cowboy resting on the ground.
A rider in an emerald dress sits atop a horse against red rock canyon walls.
A rider on horseback stands silhouetted against sunlit mountain slopes in tall grass.
Two cowgirls riding in the sand dunes.
A cowgirl riding her grey mule in the Bonneville Salt Flats
A cowboy stands beside a black horse with western tack against a mountainous backdrop.
A cowgirl on a brown horse with western tack stands against a bright blue desert sky.
A brown horse and rider pause on a mountain trail surrounded by green hills.
A horse and rider navigate sandy dunes under bright blue skies.
A young woman sitting on a rock, hugging the face of her horse, under a big tree and in western attire
A silhouetted figure standing with a bull in a sandy setting at sunset.
A horse grazes in tall grass while its rider takes in the mountain valley views.
A brown horse with western tack stands in a sunlit mountain meadow.