The farrier fits a hot shoe on a horse

1. You’ve got some beautiful horse pictures. Is it more fun to photograph people or animals?
I personally enjoy photographing human beings, but in my work with horses I was interested in showing the relationship between rider and animal, vignettes into the horse life.  These are moments often outside of the ring, many moments that reveal the intimate bond that is possible between species…a true understanding and affection does exist.

2. What picture have you taken, or not taken, that means the most to you personally?
Probably one that is in my head, awaiting life to carry it out.  Patience is important.

3. Bret Favre: Savior or Satan?
Savior…last year was a heart breaker, I can’t even think about that game against the Saints.

To see more stock photography by Andy Richter, visit Aurora Photos.

Aurora photographer Jason Florio recently won an International Photography Award in the People category.

Jason says “Whist making a 930 km circumnavigation of Gambia by foot, I made portraits of each village Alkalo (chief) I stayed with. Gambia is a rapidly developing country and one wonders how long the Alkalo system of local leadership can survive as the position is largely for prestige and unpaid. The portraits are modern interpretation of an ancient practice of gift giving by travelers in the region to Alkalos. This gift giving is called ‘silafando’ which translates to ‘ a gift to you on behalf of my journey’ . My ‘silafando’ was a print from the portrait session.”

To see more stock work by Jason Florio, visit Aurora Photos.

Feet of the devout emerge from crypts of Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela, Northern Ethiopia. © Andy Richter

Andy says “Ethiopia is a timeless place, where often I felt as though I had stepped back in time hundreds of years, perhaps more.  The ancient Orthodox Christian rituals of the arid North left me without a context to base reality on…as I walked through the rock hewn churches, believers draped in white alight by flickering candles, I was transported back centuries.  Here, feet of the devout emerge from open crypts of Bet Giyorgis in Lalibela.”

To see more stock photography by Andy Richter, visit Aurora Photos.

For the last 5 years, shorter days have not only signaled a change of the seasons, but also the nearing of the Adventure Photography Workshop. Each fall, aspiring adventure photographers and working pros looking for inspiration and career development gather in Jackson Hole, WY to learn from the best in the business. Aurora Photographer Corey Rich will be joined again by a star-studded faculty and he cant wait to be inspired!

Faculty includes:
Scott Willson – photo and video editor, The North Face
Sadie Quarrier – photo editor, National Geographic
Corey Rich – adventure photographer
Keith Ladzinski – climbing photographer
Rich Clarkson – former director of photography, National Geographic
Ron Tanawaki – Nikon Professional Services

A special treat for this year’s participants will be the opportunity to shoot with world-class climber Tommy Caldwell who will be joining us as an athlete and model.

Join him September 26th – October 1st in Jackson Hole. Visit the Adventure Photography Workshop website to register and get all the details.

Turn here to clear vision, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota. © Andy Richter

This week on the blog we’re featuring work by new Aurora contributor Andy Richter. Based in Minneapolis, Andy has covered the world for both editorial and commercial clients and on personal projects. Regardless of the subject or target audience, Andy’s got a clear eye and a clean style that communicates concepts and personal stories with strength and beauty.

To see more stock photography by Andy Richter, visit Aurora Photos.

A turtle makes a slow journey crossing Rt16 south of Fayetteville, WV © Harrison Shull

Harrison Shull asks, “Why did the turtle cross the road?” You tell us.

To see more stock photography by Harrison Shull, visit Aurora Photos.

© M Scott Brauer / Invision Images

A new kind of childcare? Here’s a great shot from M Scott Brauer of Invision that’s just calling out for a clever caption. Take your best shot.

To see more stock photography by M Scott Brauer / Invision Images, visit Aurora Photos.

© Winky Lewis

It’s write your own caption week on the Aurora Blog. A boy, a deer and an ice cream cone; this Winky Lewis shot has us stumped. Any ideas?

To see more stock photography by Winky Lewis, visit Aurora Photos.