Empowerment Session | Virginia Horse Photography | Smithfield, VA

Elizabeth Hines and her horse, Hancock Indy Boy (Indy for short). He is a registered Quarter Horse through the American Quarter Horse Association, or AQHA.  Private property in Smithfield, VA.

 

With the birds chirping, the sun shining, the breeze swaying the trees, and the quiet of the surroundings, the private property location felt like I stepped into a storybook.  Photographing a session with a horse has been on my wish list of photos to capture!  Elizabeth Hines obliged to make these photos happen as part of my vision for my new Women’s Empowerment Sessions.  In case you missed it, I just started offering these sessions for women to hit pause on their busy lives and take a moment for themselves. (Pssst… check out another Empowerment Session here.) It’s a time to feel beautiful and confident and to feel empowered. This looks different from person to person, but for Elizabeth, it’s giving others a second chance….from rescuing abused animals, like her horse Indy, to fitness training other women to feel their best.

Here’s what women empowerment means to Elizabeth:

“I was very humbled when Alanna asked to do a photo shoot with my horse. Now, I am not a model, and I am self critical. However, Indy (my horse) means the world to me as he isn’t easy to handle around others. He is where I lose all sense of what’s going on the world to center myself. He only shows his settled self around myself and my kids. See, he was abused and only trusts me. He panics with new people, and is his flight response kicks in. He is blind in one eye, and losing sight in his other. Yet, he’s learned to trust again.

So, what does women empowerment mean to me? That’s a tough one, because it’s everything I stand for. I’m a mother, wife, small business owner for personal trainer, a hospital manger, a horse rescuer, and a dog rescuer. I relate more with animals than humans. Why is that? Because they are selfless. They learn to trust again even when the odds are against them. They are non-judge mental. They love you for all your flaws, and strengths. They expect little, and give their all.

It means supporting other women even if it’s not to society standards. It’s giving others a second chance. Standing up for yourself even when backed against a wall. It’s supporting others for their flaws and weaknesses. It’s being who I am even if others do not like it. It’s showing my daughter that strong is beautiful. It’s trying my hardest even if it’s not perfect. Because me is the best I can be! And that’s pretty empowering.” ~Elizabeth Hines

Elizabeth’s daughter, Alexis, was our helping assistant!Back in the barn for an outfit change and to put a saddle on IndyI wanted to be cognizant of the fact that Indy is completely blind in his left eye so I tried to remember to stay on the right within his vision.Indy, like most of my human clients, had several photos blinking his eyes.  Haha.~Alanna LoGioco