Photographing Icelandic Horses in the snow in Denmark 2024

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Januari 2024

For years, I had the wish to photograph a herd of Icelandic horses in the snow. In Jutland, Denmark, that wish became real.

A photography trip with my colleague Melissa. Grethe welcomed us into her world. Her horses live just behind her home, in a landscape that feels untouched and patient. Snow softened every sound. The herd was curious to see what we were doing, but after a while we were not interesting anymore and they weren't interested. The herd moved slowly, together, breath rising in white clouds against the winter air.

We stood among them, not outside the scene but inside it. Looking. Listening. Waiting. Watching the horses run and play, the connection between the horses.

What moves me is not only the beauty of the Icelandic horse, but how the horses work together. The way they exist as a whole. The way space, weather and silence shape their presence. How they look in the landscape. The snow on their fur, hanging in their nose hairs.

Photographer Melissa Hoogendoorn

Tusind tak, Grethe, for this opportunity.

Melissa, thank you for the lovely trip and all the inspiring photo sessions together and the wonderful behind-the-scenes photographs of me. It's so fun and inspiring to work with you and to be friends.

Photographer Melissa Hoogendoorn