We recently connected with Jamie Baldanza and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jamie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is the pilot episode to the docu-series, “Wild Lands Wild Horses.”

For many years I hustled in NYC as am advertising Art Director / Creative Director working on big brands. While I was doing this I felt like something was missing, and that something was my connection to animals and nature.

Shortly after I moved to NJ, I adopted a horse and she became my life and soul focus. Because I’ve always loved photography, I picked up my old camera and started photographing Matilda. The community and instagram took notice of my photos so I started getting a following.

On a parallel path to this, I had been reading about wild horses in the west and the current crisis they are in. I didn’t understand why these beautiful horses that symbolize America to its core were getting rounded up by helicopter, I was also reading about the slaughter pipeline and how easily America’s wild horses and domestic could fall into it.

So one day I picked up my camera, headed west and starting photographing horses and burros in North Dakota, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, California, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana and more. I was afraid if I didn’t capture these horses through the lens, they may disappear forever.

Wanting to do more than photograph them, I wanted to find a way to utilize my talents to help fight for their cause. So my work partner Deb Lee Carson and I decided to raise funds and create a series about wild horses. A series that takes you to the range where you meet the horses, understand the landscape, discuss current issues all while secretly making the viewer fall in love with the wild horse.

The current pilot can now be viewed on Youtube, Aperteur.tv, Roku, AppleTV, and FireTV. The pilot did extremely well and won numerous awards on the film festival circuit, but of course it was the year of 2020 so everything was virtual and we didn’t get to network in person.

We hope to find a network or streaming service to pick up the rest of the series so we can education the world on America’s Wild Horses!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

My creative journey is a mix between art and animal advocacy. However, through animal advocacy, I had become a very angry and emotional person when it came to this topic. I thought through photography and film I could channel this anger and passion into something productive. Something that would shed light on the plight of America’s Wild Horses. But it didn’t work, not for me anyway. Halfway between projects I switched my view point and strategy. I chose creating a positive space to talk about wild horses, by concentrating on solutions, beauty and creating conversations.

In return, I felt more motivated and a bit lighter and came out with a project I truly was proud of. I believe there is a space for that angry/sad/motivating documentary and it is needed, but I’m not the one to do that project, I had to stay true to myself.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is hearing how my work affects how people feel or when they take action because of my work. The messages of support, their stories of growth and their journeys, and the yearning to learn more for wild horses has always and will always be one of my greatest rewards.

Contact Info:

• Website: Thismustanglife.com
• Instagram: @thismustanglife
• Youtube: youtube.com/wildlandswildhorses

Image Credits
Jamie Baldanza