I Didn't Grow Up with Horses...
My Paint gelding, Grimm and I recently - he’s quite the character!
I didn’t grow up with horses.
I lived in town and always had dogs and a cat, but I’ve been drawn to horses for as long as I can remember and took every opportunity I could to learn and be around them.
My aunt would get me a magazine subscription every year for my birthday and a horse calendar with my Christmas present. I POURED over those magazines as soon as they arrived reading every article and tidbit and marveling at all of the beautiful ads and images of people with their incredible equine partners. And those horse calendars more often than not were deconstructed at the end of the year and plastered all over my bedroom walls, complimenting my ever-growing collection of Breyers and other model and toy horses.
One year at a rummage sale with my mom, I came across a box of random tack and brushes for $5 and decided it was a great investment for WHEN I got my first horse- then I wouldn’t have to buy everything new! Those bridles hung from my bedroom curtain rod and were inspected and cleaned regularly, even though they never had the opportunity to be worn by a horse. They helped start my “addiction” to the amazing smell of leather tack and horses.
Not having my own horse about drove me crazy and consumed my every thought, but now I realize that my obsession also helped set me up for my dream career as an equine portrait and commercial photographer: I’ve been told many times that I have an uncanny ability to SEE the bond between horse & owner and capture it in ways that don’t normally show through in portrait images.
That yearning that I felt for so many years before finally getting my first horse in high school gave me a deep appreciation for horses and their lives with us. They’re huge animals who carry us on rides and ALLOW us to work with them for a variety of jobs and disciplines.
They listen to our deepest thoughts, fears, and feelings, often helping us sort out our own thoughts and emotions along the way. They may or may not be cheaper than therapy, but they’re worth every penny and every second, plus so many more! (Don’t tell them I said that- they might take it to heart… ha!)
Since I haven’t actually been a horse owner my entire life, I’m not always the most knowledgeable or confident person. I’m not familiar with fancy bloodlines or finer tuned riding or different nutrition programs and options.
Imposter syndrome has been a huge problem for me for so long, both as a photographer making due with entry-level gear and DIY options (which truly have taught me a LOT!) and as an equestrian who many times fought to get my horse to walk in a freaking STRAIGHT LINE while watching with envy as other riders loped controlled circles and competed in different events from barrel racing to Cowboy Mounted Sh00ting, reining, show jumping and dressage.
I’ve been reading a book by one of my favorite authors recently (Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield-Thomas) and in one section, she talks about allowing yourself to be a CONTRIBUTOR instead of an “expert” or “guru”. To give yourself permission to not know “EvErYtHiNg” even if you think you “should” (don’t “should” on yourself!!). That excerpt gave me a huge sigh of relief!
I still have to remind myself of it pretty regularly, but such knowledge is power and a great way to work on building and BELIEVING my own confidence! It helps me to put my fears at rest because those patterns aren’t helping me grow or thrive as a person or as a small business owner.
All we can do is strive to be better than the person we were yesterday 🖤
Do you struggle with imposter syndrome, too?? I love how sharing our stories and experiences with others helps us ALL to realize we’re not alone!
Reba Hundt
Addicted Photography
Granite Falls, MN
If I sound like the photographer you’ve been looking for, schedule a free phone consultation to discuss your customized portrait or commercial photoshoot HERE: https://rebeccahundt1.sproutstudio.com/invitation/phone-consultation