Every trip I try to plan a fun photoshoot, where I can push myself as a photographer or have the opportunity to photograph something outside of my normal photoshoots I offer. I have heard a lot of people raving about Cat Zimmerman, CZ Mustangs in Archer Florida, and the liberty work she does with mustangs. I reached out to see if she would be willing to work with her horses for an evening while I photographed, and she was game! So we took our rental car off road and photographed her working with two of her original mustangs, Monche and Bella, in an open field as the sun began to set.
Monche is a 2013 BLM mustang mare, born in a BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program holding facility in Nebraska. She was Cat's first mustang that she trained for the 2015 Youth Extreme Mustang Makeover.
Bella (with the blaze) is a 2014 BLM mustang, gathered from Wheeler's Pass in Navada, as a part of an emergency gather. She was Cat's second mustang trained for the 2016 Youth Extreme Mustang Makeover.
I have never photographed liberty work to this extent, but was immediately drawn to Cat's energy and understanding of each horse as individuals. When they worked together, it was as if they were the only ones in the world, dancing together as one, only broken by Cat's laughter if one of the mares gave her attitude back. These mares are loved beyond words, something I could easily photograph all day, every day.
If you are in Florida, and are interested in liberty work, I would HIGHLY recommend getting in touch with Cat. And if you are here in Michigan, let's convince Cat to come here to teach a weekend clinic!!
My next trip to Florida will be November 14 -17, 2024! I will be traveling between Ocala, Wellington, and Tampa, stopping along the way to photograph Equine Portraits, Horse and Rider, and Dog Sessions. If you’d like to reserve quality time on my travel schedule, to photograph your horses and/or dogs, please be in touch ASAP! All dates and times are first come, first serve. Thank you!
