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Michael Blount Joins Deborah Kalas PhotographyI am excited to introduce Michael Blount to Deborah Kalas Photography Studio. He will be working as my lighting assistant, technical expert, and second shooter for weddings and events. Michael began his interest in photography at the age of 15 when he received his first film camera, a canon AE-1 for his birthday. He graduated from Chadron College in Nebraska with a degree in Environmental biology. His interest in photography led to a job photographing for the Department of Interior in Montana, Nevada, California, Utah, Arizona, Nebraska and Texas.  He soon realized how much he enjoyed photography and wanted to make it a career. This led him to enroll in the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, MA, an intensive photography program which focuses its curriculum on the art, business and technical aspects of photography and digital imaging.

Michael Blount Joins Deborah Kalas Photography

Children’s Portrait

 Michael is very excited about moving to East Hampton because he loves to spend his time outside and at the beach. He has a labrador retriever named Izzie, who is Buttercup’s new friend.

Michael blount joins Deborah Kalas Photography

High School Senior Portrait                                     Pet Photography

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As an equestrian photographer I am asked to photograph many aspects of horses, riders and horse care. For the past week I have been working with Jim Masterson, a renowned equine massage therapist and body work professional on his new book about caring for Dressage horses. The two horses we used were Grand Prix level Bacchus De Light owned by mystery writer Tami Hoag and Betsy Steiner’s horse in training, Conego.

Day One: The project started with equine artist, Susan Harris painting the skeleton of Bacchus. It took four hours of keeping the horse still and comfortable to complete the job.

Equestrian Photography: Equine Body Work Part Two

Next, American World Championship Dressage team member and USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, Betsy Steiner saddled up Bacchus and put him through his paces. It’s interesting seeing what bones he uses to perform the various dressage movements like, the shoulder-in, haunches-in, collections, extensions, and so on.

Equestrian Photography: Equine Body Work Part Two

Day Two: Started again with Susan Harris painting the muscle groups on Bacchus. He was a good soul and put up with all the brush strokes of paint and tedious hours.

Equestrian Photography: Equine Body Work Part Two

Once again, Betsy rode Bacchus moving him through advanced dressage movements including; piaffe, tempi, passage, pirouette. You can see which muscle groups he uses to perform these advanced moves.

Equestrian Photography: Equine Body Work Part Two

Day Three: Body worker Jim Masterson went to work. The Masterson Method is a form of bodywork that relaxes the horse’s body and relieves his muscles, connective tissue, and structure of deep stress and pain.

Equestrian Photography: Equine Body Work Part Two

Jim uses gentle and light manipulation of targeted release points; the movement of joints or junctions through a range of motion in a relaxed state. He observes the horse’s response which helps him know he is on the right path. When the horse releases the tension from that area, it is often accompanied by eye blinking, head shaking, and yawning.

Equestrian Photography: Equine Body Work Part Two

Conego, a seven year old luistano stallion stood for almost three hours without being tied, thoroughly enjoying the treatment. He was a champ at yawning, opening his mouth and showing his teeth wider every time.

The book project will target dressage horses and the common places stress accumulates and how to relieve that tension and pain. It has been an exciting project to work on. When the video is released and the book published I will let all of you know!!

 

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Keeping any athlete at the top of their game usually requires a host of skilled professionals to maintain the body in peak performance. As an equestrian jumper rider, I have used Pilates, Massage, Physical Therapy, and Cross Training for fitness. Horses require similar care. Working as an equestrian photographer, I am fortunate to photograph horses in many aspects of their life.

This past week I had the pleasure to photograph Ilija Lukic from Kit Miller and Associates working on Zhum, a 9 year old show jumping star! Pictured below is Ilija working to increase the motion in Zhum’s head and spine. Technically, this technique is known as the “motion palpation of the atlanto-occipital joint.”

Equestrian Photography: Equine Body Work

Zhum is ridden by Olympian McLain Ward in the 145 and 150 meter divisions. He won the 150m jumper class January 13th, 2013 at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Equestrian Photography:Equine Body Work

Considered a relatively young horse, Zhum continues to amaze his owners Ian Feder and Missy Clark with continued success. I am sure all the body work he receives helps him continue to perform at his best.

 

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