Discovering the Subtle Power of Horses: A Conversation with a Photographer Committed to Equine Photography
Title: Exploring Connection: Katja Jensen’s Intimate Equine Portraits in Nature
For Danish photographer Katja Jensen, horses represent more than magnificent emblems of strength and liberty—they are friends, narrators, and profoundly sensitive beings. Growing up on a farm in Denmark, Jensen cultivated an early and enduring relationship with animals. Nevertheless, among all living beings, it was the horse that truly enchanted her. From these modest beginnings, her relationship with horses blossomed into not just a lifelong passion but also an artistic pursuit.
Currently, Jensen is celebrated for her equine photography—lyrical frames that honor the uniqueness of horses within some of the world’s most stunning environments. Her work focuses less on grandeur and more on closeness. Each image she takes aims to reveal the gentle wisdom and emotional power that horses possess.
A Childhood Enveloped in Silence and Connection
Jensen reflects on her younger self as introspective—someone who “didn’t say much”—a feeling she sees mirrored in the horses that were part of her early life. There existed a natural, unspoken connection between them, a shared silence that formed the bedrock of her artistic outlook.
“Horses have a way of awakening something profound inside us,” she ponders. It’s this awakening that now characterizes her photographic journey and creative expression.
From Denmark to the Highlands and Beyond
Jensen’s equine portraits traverse diverse geographical areas, capturing horses in their wild essence across New Zealand, Scandinavia, Scotland, Canada, Romania, and Portugal. Each series carries a sense of place, where horse and landscape coexist in perfect balance.
Her renowned series, Spirits of the Highlands, showcases the haunting allure of Scottish Highland ponies amidst rain-soaked terrains, undulating hills, and mist-enshrouded skies. These photographs not only reflect the raw nobility of the horses but also Jensen’s admiration for authenticity and purity in representation.
“To witness a horse in the landscape where it belongs—unrestrained, unencumbered, and free—is to experience something timeless,” she states.
Focusing on Truth Rather than Perfection
Jensen’s approach challenges many conventional methods in equine photography. Instead of orchestrating or arranging her shots, she permits the horses to express their true selves. Her sessions evolve with patience, guided by intuitive response rather than artistic imposition.
“If a horse is lively, I respond to that energy. If they are serene, I embrace the tranquility,” she explains. The goal remains consistent: to capture moments that resonate with the horse’s essence.
Her equine subjects are never merely props or icons but individuals. Each image transforms into a subtle examination of temperament, feeling, and spirit, a nearly spiritual partnership between photographer and animal.
The Significance of the Natural Environment
Katja Jensen’s artistic vision is deeply intertwined with the landscapes that surround her subjects. A profound appreciation for the natural world permeates every shot, whether it’s the golden trails kicked up by a galloping horse in Portugal or the wind-swept isolation of the Nordic plains.
“Horses are part of nature,” Jensen insists. “Without tack, without artificial settings. Just as they are, either in the wild or in broad, open spaces.”
This principle elevates her photography from simple portraiture to environmental storytelling—a glimpse into a flawless union between creature and earth.
Upcoming Adventures and Aspirations
Jensen’s journey is still unfolding. With her recently unveiled Under Iberian Skies collection—spotlighting Portugal’s native ponies and regal Lusitano stallions—she continues to explore new realms and equine traditions. What lies ahead? A photographic pilgrimage to Ireland, renowned for its legendary pony breeds and what she describes as “one of the most fairytale-like horses to ever exist.”
Despite an impressive array of countries already explored, Jensen’s list of dream locations continues to expand. Australia’s Brumbies and the iconic wild mustangs of America rank high on her priority list. Her vision encompasses a global perspective, yet remains deeply personal: every horse, every landscape, narrates a unique story.
A Meaningful Mission
Through her artistry, Jensen encourages viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with something timeless and unspoken. Her aim is not to depict horses as symbols of mystery but as emotional beings with whom we share the earth.
“Above all, I wish for people to feel,” Jensen stresses. “To experience a moment of stillness, connection, or even nostalgia when they observe my work.”
The Subtle Strength of ‘Sisterhood’
One of her most impactful works, titled “Sisterhood,” perfectly embodies her philosophy: two horses, perhaps related or simply bonded by shared experiences, engaging in a private moment of connection. There’s no fanfare—only the profound beauty of kinship in motion.
Whether through the thunderous energy of a gallop, a quiet gaze at twilight, or two horses softly nuzzling