daily life with horses in your inbox
By Laura Sofie Krebs
Photo: Lucasz Kowalski
Every picture that is highlighted at a contest has a special place in my heart - it's not only a matter of knowing whether the photo is great, but also to meet someone with the same opinion as you. As a photographer you take a lot of pictures, often very emotional ones, and it's difficult to pick out just a few (or one for that matter). So, the process of choosing is very hard. At this point in my career, I’ve started demanding more of myself than I used to. My goal is to take at least one great photo worth putting into my portfolio at every venue.
I have been a passionate traveller, since I was a teenager, but back then all I could afford was a simple camera. I started photographing horses back in 2008, because I have a brother, who is an international dressage rider and trainer. I’ve been taking pictures of horses and riders at big events for as long as I can remember, and I quickly discovered an interest in all the beautiful details, I saw when visiting the shows as an FEI photographer. The surroundings, the large team of people behind any equipage, the audience and the venue itself caught my attention.
The amazing work of photographer
Lucasz Kowalski
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Q & A
Inside FEI
Where does your interest in photographing horses come from and what inspires you?
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Do you have any favourite pictures? And what makes them stand out?
Every professional photographer was once an amateur. Nothing comes from nothing. You need to spend countless hours taking pictures, you need to want to learn, listen and observe. And you need to love what you do. Do you know any professional riders who don't like riding horses? You have to love every second of it.
Do you have any advice for amateur photographers?
It’s great if you love to travel like I do! It’s not only about seeing new places; I also like to be on the road from show to show. Most of the time you don’t have time for anything else than horses, so you need to enjoy that kind of lifestyle. The hard part of this profession is when you have a family. A few years ago, I could work seven days a week and spend basically all my time taking pictures at shows. Now, it's very different. Now time on the road is time spend away from my family.
Being around the world´s top riders is great, but what is really cool is when regular people admire your photos. It´s not a question of whether you get a lot of likes on social media, it´s about the respect you get from people, when you meet them out there at shows.
Once in Hungary one lady came up to me and said that she had showed my photos to her mother, who was a retired photographer. Her mother was very impressed and couldn't tell that I was a Polish photographer classically schooled. That was a great feeling because this is exactly the point I want to make sure comes across in my work: Being appreciated for what you do, not who you are as a person. It’s just a great feeling.
What’s it like to travel the world and attend the big equestrian events? Do any special experiences or situations stand out?
daily life with horses in your inbox
advertisement
Q & A
The amazing work of photographer
Lucasz Kowalski
By Laura Sofie Krebs
Photo: Lucasz Kowalski
Inside FEI
advertisement
Where does your interest in photographing horses come from and what inspires you?
I have been a passionate traveller, since I was a teenager, but back then all I could afford was a simple camera. I started photographing horses back in 2008, because I have a brother, who is an international dressage rider and trainer. I’ve been taking pictures of horses and riders at big events for as long as I can remember, and I quickly discovered an interest in all the beautiful details, I saw when visiting the shows as an FEI photographer. The surroundings, the large team of people behind any equipage, the audience and the venue itself caught my attention.
Do you have any favourite pictures? And what makes them stand out?
Every professional photographer was once an amateur. Nothing comes from nothing. You need to spend countless hours taking pictures, you need to want to learn, listen and observe. And you need to love what you do. Do you know any professional riders who don't like riding horses? You have to love every second of it.
What’s it like to travel the world and attend the big equestrian events? Do any special experiences or situations stand out?
It’s great if you love to travel like I do! It’s not only about seeing new places; I also like to be on the road from show to show. Most of the time you don’t have time for anything else than horses, so you need to enjoy that kind of lifestyle. The hard part of this profession is when you have a family. A few years ago, I could work seven days a week and spend basically all my time taking pictures at shows. Now, it's very different. Now time on the road is time spend away from my family.
Being around the world´s top riders is great, but what is really cool is when regular people admire your photos. It´s not a question of whether you get a lot of likes on social media, it´s about the respect you get from people, when you meet them out there at shows.
Once in Hungary one lady came up to me and said that she had showed my photos to her mother, who was a retired photographer. Her mother was very impressed and couldn't tell that I was a Polish photographer classically schooled. That was a great feeling because this is exactly the point I want to make sure comes across in my work: Being appreciated for what you do, not who you are as a person. It’s just a great feeling.
Do you have any advice for amateur photographers?
Every picture that is highlighted at a contest has a special place in my heart - it's not only a matter of knowing whether the photo is great, but also to meet someone with the same opinion as you. As a photographer you take a lot of pictures, often very emotional ones, and it's difficult to pick out just a few (or one for that matter). So, the process of choosing is very hard. At this point in my career, I’ve started demanding more of myself than I used to. My goal is to take at least one great photo worth putting into my portfolio at every venue.
