We recently connected with Valerie Henry and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Valerie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

When my husband passed away, I lost my “inner spark” to photograph, he was the one who saw something in my photography and he is the one who pushed me to pursue it.
One month after his passing, I had to go to Rock Springs, WY to bring parts of the Rv we had been traveling in, to the person who was buying it. Rock Springs has a band of wild mustangs and I thought since I was here that I should go see them, which I did.
When I found the wild mustangs, I took my camera and walked out to them, I sat down and just started crying uncontrollably, I felt so alone and devastated. I attempted to photograph them but to there was no “fire”. When I looked up, there was a family of wild mustangs getting very close and it was too late for me to move, so I stayed.
The lead mare, walked up to me and for 5 maybe 10 minutes she pushed on my chest, played with my hair, nuzzled my face, she was consoling me. I could feel her compassion, she understood the sorrow. She stayed until I stopped crying, she then moved on and her baby did the same thing, pushed on my chest, played with my hair.
This mare and her family gave me peace that day and I was able to find my motivation to photograph once again.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started photographing wild mustangs so people would experience the spirit of wild mustangs and would be compelled to join me in the quest to create a world where wild horses and burros can live as nature intended, wild and free. Through the years I have met amazing people who have wild mustang sanctuaries and to help them, I donate 20% of each sale to the sanctuaries who have dedicated their lives rescuing wild mustangs and burros. The way I perceive wild mustangs is unique to me, I see them in a different light, and when editing the chosen photos, I process each one not with presets but with what each piece is “telling me”.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MY WORK
What equipment do I use to create my images?
Currently I am using a Canon 5D Mark iv, and a Canon EOS R3 with either a Canon 500mm or a Canon 300mm. I rarely use a tripod when I photograph wild mustangs for two reasons: Keeps me mobile since they can decide to move rapidly, and I appear less threatening.

Do I “Photoshop” my images?
Like photographers that use film and use a darkroom and darkroom techniques to complete their images, photographers in the digital era use a digital darkroom to complete theirs and I am no exception. I actually use Lightroom and not Photoshop to adjust the contrast, vibrance and color to bring out the story of each photograph.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

So the one book that has had a huge impact on what I do, is not a book on business or philosophy but I book called “Wild Horse Country” by Pulitzer winner journalist, David Phillips.
That is the book that fuels my advocacy for wild mustangs.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The passing of my husband was and is still is one of the most devastating experience. Without him, I would never would have started this business. He saw something in me and my work that I didn’t see. He believed/believes in me. I almost gave up but the support of my fans, clients, friends and family, pulled me through. These wild beings go through so much from being rounded up, torn from their families, incarcerated or sent to slaughter that quitting was not an option. They need every voice out there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.koruphotodesigns.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/koru_photo_designs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/koruphotodesigns

Image Credits

Valerie G Henry