I invite you to read some of the hundreds of Testimonials on my sites regarding my character, results, and read some of the ways others have trusted me before. Do this prior to buying anything from me.
Results and Testimonial
Results count. So look again at the image of the white horse below, “Ghost Horse.” That is just one of many special images I created while visiting one location. Most of the beautiful images from that visit will not be shown on this site or the internet, but they are truly beautiful and many are extraordinary or totally unique. You have my word on that. But, you really should read a testimonial letter from a Host who participated in my Visiting Artist Program in January 2011.
Now look at the other art image below, “Moonlight.” That image was made while I was visiting another location and while working with the horses owned by another Host-Client who participated in my Visiting Artist Program. This should give you an idea of what can be done while benefiting both the artist (me) and you. I encourage you to consider this opportunity this year while I am traveling. You do not have to be wealthy to enjoy the arts or the benefits of providing a Visiting Artist with your support.
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Summary: The comments below are verbatim quotes from the father of one of my subjects in my current project, Equestrians.
These portraits were done while I visited them as part of my Visiting Artist Program for 2011.
For this particular Host-Client, I have created a set of unique and extraordinary portraits and images of his daughter, her horse, and his daughter with her horse. Most of these images are not shown on this site or the internet on purpose, as they are also intended for inclusion in a future book on my work.
Verbatim Testimonial Letter from the Parent of an Equestrian Subject. The parent was also a Host in Steadman’s Visiting Artist Program
To Whom it May Concern: “In the last 14 years that our daughter has ridden horses and competed, we have taken thousands of photos of our daughter and had many professional photographers take her picture as she performed in countless horse shows or competitions.
Steadman’s photos, taken both at our barn’s arena while our daughter practiced and at our home are unlike any that I have seen before.”“Steadman made his artistic portraits of our daughter in a small space in our house, yet the photos look like they were made in a large studio. I am amazed at how he does it. I have a nice DSLR camera and I take lots of photos of my daughter, but he was able to capture something else and something new and unique.”
“Some of the most interesting and unique images Steadman made are not shown on his posters or his website. He told us about this prior to photographing our daughter, and I did not really understand at the time. Now I understand.You really need to see these for yourself. It is amazing to see how a single photo session can yield so many different looks and expressions and how he uses his artist’s eye to make something special for each person. He made some pictures for my daughter that I am sure she will use for years because they are elegant and striking. These are not ordinary portrait photographs.”“It was a real honor that Steadman selected one image from our daughter’s session to create a work of his art using our horse as the model. He told us that was something he had as a goal and I just did not anticipate the image being so beautiful and surprisingly different. I have photographed that horse many times and I never saw this and I have not seen anything like it from any other photographer or artist. We are very proud it is one of our horses. It is not just another portrait, it is art.”
“Steadman also made some incredible photos of my daughter practicing in a large dark indoor arena in the dead of winter. I don’t know how he did it.It amazed me that he did this without using any flash at all, so he would not disturb the horse and rider. He just used the natural light that was available to him. The photos are beautiful and natural looking. When I first saw them, I said “WOW.”
“I highly recommend that everyone who loves horses take advantage of this chance to get something special by Steadman. These are not just snapshots and they are not the common event photos we see at every competition. We have seen many professional equine photographers as we have traveled the country to competitions, including the Nationals, the Colorado Horse Park, and the Kentucky Horse Park, and these photos Steadman has made are unlike anything I have seen before.
These portraits Steadman will make of your horse and the rider are going to be something you will not regret buying. These stand out from the crowd. Steadman Uhlich and his art are definitely ‘World Class.’”
“He definitely has a different approach to working with people and horses. I now know why so many people have trusted him to make something special. It is rare to find someone whom you can trust so much and still be surprised at the outcome and have your expectations exceeded.”
“As a parent of someone who loves horses and has competed locally, regionally and even nationally for years, and as an owner of multiple horses, I know that it is smart to invest in quality. I cannot over-emphasize the high quality of what you will get if you hire Steadman to make a portrait of you or your horse.We know that our horse will be a part of our family for several more years and we are prepared to spend what it takes to care for that horse and to help our daughter get where she wants to go in competition. With a portrait by Steadman, we will have a beautiful, extraordinary, and lasting reminder of that horse and our rider’s beauty. These really are heirlooms in the making.
Without a doubt, he is worth it.”
— Dr. M.W., Omaha, Nebraska (name withheld to protect privacy)
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Here are a few examples of the portraits and art Steadman made with this one rider at a Host family:
_________________________Second Example of Visiting Artist Program Results for a Host Family
Verbatim Testimonial Letter from the Parent of an Equestrian Subject. The parent was also a Host in Steadman’s Visiting Artist Program.
To whom it may concern:
I did not know Steadman Uhlich prior to meeting him recently after seeing his work. I checked into his background, looked at his online portfolios, read his testimonials, and after discussing this with my husband, we decided to host Steadman at our home as participants in his Visiting Artists Program. I am very glad we made that decision.We are “Empty Nesters” and my husband and I first met with Steadman and spent some hours getting to know him. He has proven to be a good house guest, good company, and even a good cook. My husband and I have enjoyed many hours of conversations with him and time spent together at horse events and dinners. I feel we have not only gained things in art created for us, but we have also made a new friend. He is someone you can trust. Now as our time as his hosts has reached an end, I want to share with you my experience as a Host in his Visiting Artist Program.
Soon after arriving, Steadman arranged a photo session with my adult daughter and her horses. I was present at the photo shoot and observed how he worked with her, the horses and her dogs.
Despite the cold weather, the windy conditions, the leaf-less trees and the rather drab surroundings of a typical Omaha winter’s day, Steadman told us the conditions were very good for portraits.
I was a bit apprehensive because our horses are in their furry winter coats. I was not sure if those would look good in a photo. Steadman assured us the furry winter condition of their coats would be a positive thing to see in the final photos.A few days after the photo shoot, Steadman showed us the results from his work. I was surprised by how quickly we were able to see some results from the photo shoot. While I had viewed many of Steadman’s portraits in his online portfolios, I was not prepared for what I saw in the work he had done for us.
First, let me tell you that my daughter has ridden and competed with horses for many years. She rides Western, Rodeo and English styles of riding. I have been around horses all my life and worked with them professionally. I have many photos of my daughter and her horses taken by professional photographers. So I have a good idea of how she and the horses look when photographed by a typical professional photographer.
What did I see when I saw the photos Steadman made for us? I was completely surprised by Steadman’s portraits of our horses. While I had been present the entire time and had been just a few feet from the horse, I did not imagine the finished portraits would look as they did. My first impression when seeing the portraits was “WOW!”
Putting it simply, these are not your typical horse photos. Steadman’s vision for these horses made them look special.
I had earlier worried a bit that the winter coat furry look of our horses would not look good. When Steadman showed us the final portraits, I then saw how the natural winter coat looked wonderful in his photos. The textures of the hair and mane look so real and life-like it looks like our horse is standing right in front of you and you could reach into the picture to touch his hair. I had also worried some that the harsh sunlight of the day, and the drab leaf-less trees and surrounding land of the season would not look good for the photo session. I can tell you that the finished portrait and photos look amazing and the background of your barn or paddock is no reason to be concerned.
When I showed the photo of my daughter with her horse to my colleagues at work, other friends, and other horse people, they were all very impressed by the high quality and the expression of emotion shown in the photo.
We have all seen photos of girls holding their horse, but this was a photo that showed us all the joy she feels with that horse. This portrait of my daughter with her horse stands out from the hundreds of portraits I have seen of my daughter’s friends and other riders with their horses. It made me glad I took the step to hire Steadman.
Steadman works well with horses and sees the details of good horsemanship too. Steadman has an eye for details and for the beauty of the individual. His portraits of my daughter capture her spirit, her confidence, and her skill at handling a horse. When you see the large prints, you can see the details of good horsemanship that make a difference. He captured that in stunning photos that really must be seen large to be fully appreciated.
As Steadman is learning about horses and how to handle them, he worked well with the horses. As he captures them in action, he never used a flash. Because he never uses a flash, the horses are comfortable around the camera; it shows as a relaxed look in their eyes, in every portrait. His use of natural light in the barn and outside was amazing.
Steadman also surprised us with a unique work of art in another photo. He calls this image “Moonlight” as it shows our gelding by moonlight. His art photo of one of our horses really looks like a painting. Steadman showed us a very large print of this and it is hard to describe how impressive it appears when anyone sees the larger print. Steadman also spent the time and helped me consider the best ways to show it in our home, including choices of frames, lighting, location, and sizes that fit our home decor.
Over the many years I have shown, ridden, and been around horses, I have never seen an art photo like this. It is unique and beautiful. It IS a work of art. And it is OUR horse that is now art.
You might see a little version of this on Steadman’s website, but you must see a large print to get a real understanding of how impressive it is.
I recently went to the Nebraska Horse Expo and while there viewed over 100 photos of horses that had been entered in a photography contest. There was nothing there that was as impressive as Steadman’s photos. Even the photos entered and displayed by professional photographers looked ordinary in comparison.
Steadman also works well with kids. Steadman also created very special portrait photos of my two young grand daughters. He captured their personalities and the photos are really beautiful, funny, and touching. These portraits are also unlike any I have seen before. He created one while working with horses and a young girl, I didn’t think that would be easy. The other portrait was created while working with my youngest grand daughter who is two years old and full of energy. His suggestions for how to make these special portraits have given our family something priceless that crosses generations.
Steadman works well with mature women too. Like many middle-aged women, I was apprehensive about having a portrait photograph of me. Steadman worked with me and my concerns, helped me get the confidence to get in front of his camera, and made the experience fun. He also made me look 10 years younger too! All of this was done in a natural setting that reflects my life and my love of horses.
I recommend you take this opportunity to have Steadman make a portrait of you or your horse or someone in your family, regardless of their age. Based on my own experience, I am confident the results will pleasantly surprise you and be something you will consider a good decision and an excellent purchase. I believe you can trust Steadman to do as he promises and even that he will probably exceed your expectations.
Furthermore, if you have the means to serve as a Host for him within his Visiting Artist Program, I believe it is a fabulous opportunity for you or your family. His work speaks for itself, but I must tell you that there are things he makes that you will not see on his website. We saw them created and they are and now we understand the special experience of having art created for us by a true artist.
Steadman created portraits for a friend of mine too. I can also tell you that he has also created four portraits for a close friend of mine who is another client of his. I learned about Steadman after seeing her portraits. Those portraits are also wonderful as they capture the character of her children and husband.
—Pam B., Omaha, Nebraska (name withheld to protect privacy)
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Third Example of Visiting Artist Program Results for a Host Family
Verbatim Testimonial Letter. The writer was also a Host in Steadman’s Visiting Artist Program.
To Whom it May Concern,
I have known Steadman Uhlich since I first walked into his Art Gallery in 2006. I became one of his Patrons after that. Since then he has made a number of portraits of me and members of our family. The portraits of my children, and the ones of my wife and myself are the best we have ever seen.
I also had Steadman stay with my family at our home while we served as Hosts in his Visiting Artist Program in Fall 2010. At the time he was preparing for his 2011 travels out West.
It was a joy to have him in our home for several months.
In short, I trust him. I have found him to be at all times a completely honest person who thinks of others with compassion. He also has a god-given talent to create something beautiful or distinctive for his portrait clients.
He’s a lot of fun to be around, we miss him! I highly recommend the Visiting Artist Program with Steadman Uhlich!
Over the weeks he stayed with us, I have seen and talked with Steadman for many hours, spent time getting to know him and his art and enjoyed our time together. We shared meals, stories, and deep beliefs. He is a man of good character, honest, and trustworthy.
As a guest at our home for several weeks, Steadman was good with my five kids, offered to tutor them in art and geography, and he even befriended our dog and walked him and fed him and the cat while we were traveling. He also got along well with my brother, in-laws and my father too. He was a quiet house guest as he was always working on his computer projects and writing his book and editing his websites.
Since I am interested in photography, Steadman was good enough to give me private lessons on lighting, exposure, composition, use of the camera and techniques. He even helped me create some very special photos I made as gift for our 20th Wedding Anniversary. He helped me by explaining very technical things in laymen’s terms and by demonstrating what could be done. He also encouraged me to take the pictures to learn by doing with his guidance. He really helped me gain confidence in making photos using ambient or natural light and making portraits of my family too. My wife and I have 5 children and we take a lot of photos.
I love photography and I was able to learn much more with Steadman’s help than I would ever learn on my own! The tips and tricks that I learned about photography will stay with me for the rest of my life. In addition, he took pictures of my family, that I am just not able to capture, that are truly a treasure!
When it came time for me to purchase some new camera equipment, Steadman helped me select the camera gear and get a very good selection of equipment and at a very good price too.
Steadman also visited my business and assisted me in photographing my staff for our website photos. He showed me simple ways to use ambient light and how to create fun and expressive photos of my staff that serve our business well.
When Steadman left our home to begin his travels, he left behind gifts for all of us, including very special photographs of my family members, and a strong friendship. We keep in touch and enjoy seeing his photos as he travels. He is a friend.
I encourage others to participate in his Visiting Artist Program as you will be surprised what he can do for you too. I have complete confidence he will make beautiful and priceless things for you too.
I have seen hundreds of his photographs and portraits in his art gallery and in his portfolios. Each one is unique and so many of them cause us to say “WOW” and be amazed by the image. His portraits of our children have a special place in our home and always fascinate our visitors because they are so different and yet they each capture something of the personalities of our children too. Highly recommended!
—Dr. B. B., Birmingham, Alabama (name withheld to protect privacy)
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Verbatim Testimonial Letter from a Professional Equestrian: Mark Lyon
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Source: Mark Lyon is a Champion Equestrian, Full-Time Horse Trainer, Exhibitor, and Coach. He has a unique sense of the horses, his training skill with horses is “amazing” and he has an infectious smile along with a distinctive style. He is a true “horseman” and an authentic “buckaroo.”______________
“I recently met and got a chance to work with Steadman. I saw what he had done for another professional horse trainer I respect and I could see Steadman had the skill and talent to make some very high quality and creative photos that would add value to my website and my business marketing as a professional horseman.
At our first consultation he told me that many of his best and favorite photos were not shown on his website. I thought “Sure” with a bit of cowboy skepticism. Then I saw his large portfolio loaded with his large photo prints and I immediately saw what he meant. He was right, many of the photos that he has in his print portfolio that are reserved for private viewing and later publication are really amazing and so unusual and creative that they must be seen to be believed. In fact, my favorite photo of the other trainer is not on his website or Steadman’s, and my own favorite photo of me is also not going to be shown on either Steadman’s site or my own site until his book is published in the future. But, I can wait for that time to come when I can put them on my site. In the meantime, I have other photos from Steadman that I can use online that are also outstanding and are already getting my clients, my students, my prospects, my friends, and my professional peers to say “WOW.”
The photographs Steadman made for me are fantastic!
I am very glad I made the decision to participate in Steadman’s equestrian project and I recommend other horsemen and equestrians do the same. I know you won’t believe the photos he can make of you, till you see them yourself.
He surprised my friends and he surprised me and my wife, with his artistic vision of us as equestrians.
I was very impressed with the quality of photos I saw him make, as they were so good I couldn’t believe they were of me and my horse…
The photos Steadman made look like they belong in a high-end art gallery, the clarity and depth and creativity of each one seemed to make the subject jump to life!!
As a professional horseman I have seen lots of horse photos both at shows and in professional magazines and none of those compared to what I saw Steadman make. Period!
Steadman’s use of light, creativity, artistic “eye” and knowledge of the subject made the ordinary become extraordinary!!
He took time to get to know and understand me. He even studied my traditional style, my gear, my business needs, and my personal taste. He has an eye for the details that matter to me and he is committed to not only making creative portraits, but also committed to authenticity. That was important to me too.
Then he was able to catch my personality on film and it was like I was looking at me captured in a moment in time always in the perfect angle, looking at the picture, something seemed to draw you in. It was also like being transported back in time, it was so lifelike.
I thought the photos Steadman made of me were incredible. They are art and they really do make people, including other equestrians, say “WOW” when they see them.
My partner Miranda and I often work with green horses, colts, problem horses, and even wild Mustangs. It would be an understatement to say that Mustangs are not commonly considered the prettiest of horses by most horse owners. Steadman sees something different in each horse and has made some amazing photos of our Mustangs while we are training them. Steadman captured our Mustangs’ raw energy and wild spirit even as we are in the process of breaking and training them. He also made these amazing photos without using any flash and in very challenging conditions for photography. I know something about photography, and it was impressive to see the results of his creativity and work.
As a professional horse and rider trainer, the quality and creativeness of these photos are invaluable to me as it is so important to get my personality across to my prospective customers. His photos of me and my wife and partner, Miranda, had that “WOW factor” that will catch the attention of our intended audience and market.
Steadman prepared us for the photo session with tips and advice on all kinds of things that would make for better photos of us.
Steadman’s photos really captured the spirit and energy of the horses.
His use of natural light made the photos grab your eye and his knowledge of the subject made taking photos so easy. He was also very flexible and easy to work with.
He really understood what I was looking for in different photos and had some great ideas to get that look that set his photos apart from what I was used to seeing.”
Note: There are many interesting and visually striking photos of Mark Lyon, some of the best and my favorites are not shown on this page, this website, or the internet.
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Verbatim Testimonial Letter from a Professional Equestrian: Miranda Holaday-Lyon
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Source: Miranda Holaday-Lyon is a two-time National Champion and a Reserve World Champion Cowboy Mounted Shooting Equestrian. Not only does she know her six guns and horses, she also has real ranch experience, cattle experience, competitive show experience, AND she breaks Mustangs and trains colts! She is a real “horsewoman” who also has “Hollywood looks!” She is a very impressive “Buckarette.” She is a true “horseman” and an authentic “buckaroo” (and yes, she is a woman but so good that others use the masculine term as a sign of admiration for her skill).
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“As a professional horsewoman I am always looking for positive experiences and the beauty of life. Steadman captures those special moments and brings them to life. He has proven to study the movements of a horse and he knows how they are going to look at a certain moment in stride and he captures them when they look their best.
Steadman looks deeper into a moment than any photographer I have ever met to see the true story behind the photo.
I love to see things in their natural state the way they were originally intended to be without all of the fake ideas that people try to put onto them. Steadman sees those natural beauties and natural lighting to make a picture a true moment captured at the right time. He does not use artificial flash, yet his pictures have beautiful natural light in them. Just like they say “a picture is worth a thousand words” and Steadman photographs IS the TRUE picture.
I have seen many pictures in my career from professionals all over and in magazines. I have never liked everything about a picture until Steadman showed me some of his photos. He captures the true moment and has educated himself enough about what he is photographing that he knows what the true professionals in that discipline look for.
He respects our status as equine professionals and yet he also showed us ways we could improve our use of images to market our services. He listened carefully to us and then he offered many suggestions for ways we could make better photographs that would impress our market and show our unique skills and style.
Steadman has proven to be a true professional that really does a fantastic job at getting me the pictures I want. He understands what kind of photos I want and need to express myself to my customers. He also has captured photos that I have always wanted for my album, but they are just such top quality that I couldn’t put them in an album but instead want to put them on the wall. He has high standards and he really has the drive to do the best job possible and be the best that he can be while pleasing me and being flexible for my busy schedule.
I can also highly recommend Steadman to other horse professionals and horse trainers. He has given us many ideas that will help us improve our marketing and promotion of our services. Steadman has a sincerely friendly manner of coaching us on using photos to tell our story to other equestrians. He has also made wonderful photos of some of our students that have caused them to say “WOW” too. He really knows how to use photos to help professionals when creating a business image or brand and he gave us lots of advice on how to leverage our strengths.
I also noticed that Steadman is able to make fabulous portraits of riders of all ages, all levels of experience, and whether they ride English or Western.
So often horse people get so deep into their disciplines that they think they have to have something that is seen as special to their riding style. Few people want to cross-over. Steadman showed us that he has the discerning eye that can see the essentials for any discipline, and the talent to use those things in an artistic view of that discipline.
I know some riders may think that only riding pros, top competitors, or champions will look good in photos like this. Well, I can tell you I have seen Steadman make wonderful photos of riders who are not pros and even of riders with minimal experience, including rookies and novices. Steadman’s photos of horses look fantastic, whether the horse is a show winning champion, or a raw Mustang we just got from the BLM. His photos of our Mustangs in training are very impressive too. He even captured excellent photos of our Mustangs’ first jumps.
Steadman not only makes the photos I always dreamed of having, he also creates images I did not imagine. As I see it, that is the real reason why hiring an artist is very different from hiring a typical photographer.
We all want to hire someone who will make a good photograph, but it is much rarer when you find someone who really sees YOU and what you do as a subject worthy of art. Steadman’s creativity shows in the way he SEES things, how he imagines the horses in a composition, and what he observes of riders. When you hire Steadman to be your photographer, you are really hiring an artist to make photographs or art with you in it. It is a distinction that makes all the difference in what you will see in the final picture you get from him. I know I expected him to make photographs of me, but I was pleasantly surprised and totally impressed when I saw that he made photos that others see as fine art of the highest quality.
I was also impressed when I saw the amazing detail and quality of some of his large art photos. These photos were as big as large paintings, some were actually life-size, and they looked like they belong in an art museum.
I know I was not alone when I said “WOW” when I saw these. Then as he showed us large photo after photo, I kept saying “WOW” and “Awesome.” Steadman’s art photos really grab you and are stunning.
I know other clients of Steadman have already stated this, but I think it is important for you to know that what you are seeing on his website is just a small part of his work. There are many more beautiful photos that are not on his site, including some of our favorites, and even the photos shown on his website are usually just a small part of the original picture.
Steadman also created some portraits of us that do not show a horse. These are some of our favorites and they really are extraordinary photographs that look like they should be in a museum.
I also saw watched Steadman create portraits of a married couple who are in their eighties. He captured expressions that show their love for one another and he quickly got them to act natural. His candid portraits of that couple are beautiful and show such warm emotion.
I am also impressed by his artistic skill and his unique vision for the art photos he makes. We have seen Steadman make photos that look like some of the best Western art we have seen and some look like paintings one would find in a museum. That my husband Mark or I happen to be the person riding the horse in the photo is amazing to us and it gives us a fantastic and unique experience as we see ourselves in a true artist’s artwork. You won’t know that feeling until you have it happen to you when Steadman makes some art with you in it. It is a real treat that will last a life-time. I know we are both proud to have been a part of Steadman’s Equestrian Art Project too.
One of Steadman’s art photos of my husband has already sold as a large fine art photograph to an art collector. This was thrilling to both of us too. It is hard to imagine how it feels to be seen in a work of art that unknown people want to buy because they see it as fine art. I always knew my husband was a work of art, now I have the proof!
I am from Missouri, and there we have the saying “Show me.” Steadman has really shown us there can be a vast difference in the higher quality and true originality of photos you will see of you, if you hire or commission him to create your portrait.
We have seen Steadman make wonderful portraits of riders, portraits of horses, and truly original action photos that are unlike any we have ever seen before. I highly recommend him to other equestrians, as I know he has really made my husband and I very happy we commissioned him to make things for us.”
Miranda Holaday-Lyon
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The above photo shows the first jump for this Mustang being trained by Miranda. This mustang has only had three weeks of training so far and was a true wild Mustang captured by the BLM. It was amazing to see this horse transformed from completely wild and raw to working and riding under saddle and even jumping in just a few weeks!
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Verbatim Testimonial Letter from a Professional Equestrian
Kelli Paulson is a highly regarded and widely admired professional equestrian, and a Purina Regional Ambassador who hosts Trail Rider Challenge events around the Midwest. She invited me to attend one of her TRC outdoor trail events to see how Trail Riders work with their horses. It was a fascinating day as I watched many riders encounter challenging obstacles and practical tests of horsemanship.
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“Steadman Uhlich recently attended one of my Trail Rider Challenge events, where he photographed many of the contestants completing trail obstacles. Steadman asked if he could shadow me on the course while observing and photographing the contestants. I agreed, because I had seen some of the creative portraits and action photography that Steadman had made of other trainers and riders.
“Steadman Uhlich recently attended one of my Trail Rider Challenge events, where he photographed many of the contestants completing trail obstacles. Steadman asked if he could shadow me on the course while observing and photographing the contestants. I agreed, because I had seen some of the creative portraits and action photography that Steadman had made of other trainers and riders.
I have had other photographers photograph our events before, and I have been photographed several times too.
When I saw the photos, I was amazed by Steadman’s finished Action Portraits. He captured the contestants in a way I had not seen before. His photos made everyone from beginner to experienced look like a million bucks. He captured the heart, soul and passion of the horses and riders.
These photos are the most artistic and expressive equestrian photos I have ever seen… “WOW.”
The photos are art gallery and museum quality! If I saw them in a gallery, even if I didn’t know the rider, I would want to buy several. The amazing thing is, I am in some of them. I never knew I could look like that! For the record, I have an art degree and have done lots of photography…and I am impressed!
I have been riding horses for 36 years. My first training job was 21 years ago. I have been a full time professional horse trainer, instructor, clinician and horse event planner for 6 years. In all of those years I have seen thousands of photos of horses in action, thousands of photos of riders with their horses, and hundreds of photos of me with my horses.
No photographer has ever captured us like this.
I couldn’t believe the softness, lines, feel and emotion of the photos. Steadman’s Action Portraits are captivating.
Steadman’s work is completely different from the other equine photographers out there. His photography is art, not just a photo.
These are not typical horse show or horse event photos. If you host horse shows, you should take a look at Steadman’s work. It is a unique opportunity for your clients to have a beautiful photo that is art! I highly recommend Steadman for your next show or a photo session at your barn.
His photos show the action of the horses as they encountered the obstacles on the trail course. Steadman has a talent for not only picking the right moment in a jump or movement, he also creates a portrait that truly looks like “Art.”
I know when I viewed the many finished Action Portraits he made that day I was stunned to see all of the riders looking so good in the pictures.
Somehow the riders who where just out having fun that day, where captured in timeless, beautiful art.
Steadman knows how to capture more than just the moment in the photo. He captures the experience, the confidence, and the human and horse expressions so well.
His compositions of his portraits are really striking as the horses appear to leap off the wall or seem to be in motion.
I also had the opportunity to visit with Steadman in a private viewing after the event. He showed me hundreds of photos he made based on his work with jumping horses and I was thrilled to see what he had done for my group. I lead groups of trail riders. Some of our group has never jumped before. Steadman captured more than a few “first jumps” that day and those photos are spectacular. The riders in my group were also thrilled to see the photos of them jumping. We really were impressed by Steadman’s work. Steadman also showed me a number of photos he made that really tell a story in pictures about what happened that day. Viewing his portfolio of the event was like being there.
Steadman also has an eye for what is important to show regarding horsemanship. I was impressed by what he sees in the horse’s action and the interaction with the riders and the subtle signs of good horsemanship too.
I was impressed when Steadman showed me how large some of his Action Portraits can be made. Like most riders, I have bought small 8×10 prints of myself from horse show photographers, and those usually end up in a drawer and forgotten. Steadman’s work is very different and exciting. His Action Portraits make me want a very large one on canvas to hang on the wall as art!
If I had to describe Steadman’s equestrian photography I would use these words: Art, elegant, beautiful, stunning, unique, masterful, world-class, wonderful, and a good reflection of natural horsemanship…
The creativity of his work shines through as you look over his portfolio of his Equestrian Project. These are not ordinary photos of horses or riding.
Given that he is photographing equestrians from many disciplines of riding, I was impressed that he has made so many beautiful photographs of so many different people and horses in such a short time. Looking at his portfolio, one would think he has been a professional equine photographer for years and years.
Steadman also understands how photos can be used to help a horse professional market their services. He offered me many valuable suggestions. This group of photos represents a new way of presenting my image to the public. He is helpful with his suggestions on how to incorporate the photos into my marketing efforts. I will be working with him in the future to develop my own portfolio of marketing images.
Steadman and I have spent over six hours in focused and friendly conversations about helping my business and my clients reach their fullest potential. I have looked at hundreds of his shots, and seen hundreds of his finished Action Portraits of equestrians. He showed me large photos, the size of a door, which look wonderful and are of high quality. You need to see these photos to fully appreciate the quality of his work. He has created striking photos of both English and Western riders. He makes fantastic portraits of equestrians from seasoned professionals, to rank beginners, to women in their 70′s, to teens and kids.
I am excited to be working with Steadman. His photos are beautiful images that can help me, my students and my clients document and celebrate their passion for horsemanship with outstanding photographs. Steadman knows how to use photographs to tell a story in an authentic manner that reflects my passion, my style, and my personality.
Steadman is a real artist, not just a photographer. He understands people in a rare way. He is professional, personable, honest and friendly. I am confident that he can deliver something beautiful and special to any horse or equestrian. I believe he could help any equestrian get the most special photos of them they have ever seen.
Steadman’s Action Portraits will be the most memorable and beautiful photos many of my clients have ever had.
If you are a serious rider or a horse professional or trainer, I strongly suggest that you have Steadman make a portrait of you. I am confident you will be thrilled, as I am, to see what Steadman can make for you. I can immediately see the high value these photos will have as I present my professional training services in the future.
I was also amazed that he was able to do this without depending on flash or bulky equipment. In fact, he was hardly noticeable as he walked the course, the riders and horses did not notice him. I have given Steadman an open invitation to attend any of my events in the future, and I can’t wait to see what he makes next in his Equestrian Project.
I am thrilled to be a part of his Equestrian Project. He and I have had a long discussion on what makes for better horsemanship, and I admire Steadman’s desire to create authentic images of equestrians. From what I have seen, his project will be world-class and something any equestrian would be proud to be included in. It looks like a wonderful “once in a lifetime” opportunity to me, and I believe it will be the same for you too.”
Kelli Paulson
Horsemanship, Trail Obstacles & Problem Solving
Clinics, Lessons, Training
402-889-6042
Here are some of the images made while Steadman was hosted by Kelli Paulson:
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Examples of Photos Steadman Made for a Visiting Artist Program Host
While I am traveling the USA for my Equestrian Project, I frequently stay with local hosts (individuals or families) to learn about an area of the country I have never seen before. There is no requirement that a Host have a horse. A host may or may not have a horse, just as they may or may not ride horses. I am frequently hosted by equestrians who have not only horses, but also families. In those cases, the host benefits as I often photograph the people with whom I stay, and those portraits do not have to include a horse. For example a family may have a rider in it, but there may be others (such as young children, spouses, grandparents, siblings) who do not ride horses. There are many possibilities for how a Visiting Artist Program Host may benefit, and this is one of my favorites and one of my hosts’ favorites too.
Below are a few examples of portraits and documentary style photography I made for a recent host who had a horse, and a teenage equestrian, and two younger children, and a big dog (a favorite pet).
The above photo shows a young girl who has just had a birthday present given to her, a new bicycle. The photo shows her taking it for a ride for the first time.
The next photo shows the youngest member of the family (the little brother to the girl above) who just at the moment pictured has just started riding (for the first time) a bicycle. He was a bit wobbly on it, but in those first few minutes he was also beaming with pride and joy and fun. A very special moment captured. All smiles are genuine and authentic to the moments.
These photos come about after some time establishing a bond or relationship with the family members, and that only happens when people get to know one another. Instead of the pressure some kids feel to perform, pose, or “smile” in a photo session (e.g. at a photo studio), this photography becomes “fun” for the kids and yields memorable, or what I call “Unforgettable Portraits” (TM) for the family. These moments are not staged, they are real moments in the child’s life, captured in a documentary style, as they live. It is one of my favorite ways of creating portraits for my hosts and for my own work as an artist.
The range of expressions you see are natural to the person in the photo, and what I call my “Natural Expressions” (TM) style of photography and portraits (whether photos or painted). I look for those moments where the personality and character show. For example, the photo below is not a “posed” portrait, as it is just a moment when the subject/child happened to be looking at her younger brother, while she was sitting at the top of a large slide, while she was having fun. It is real and authentic and natural expression.
The youngest child dreams of being a fireman. Though being a cowboy is also on his list too.
The photo above shows the little girl who is a very confident wakeboarder, even at her young age. She impressed me with her enjoyment of the wakeboarding, her spirit, and her confidence.
The above photo shows the three children in this family looking at some colorful Koi fish in a small pond. It is not a posed photo, and simply captures the real moment, as it happened.
The above portrait of the young girl was made at the time when “the corn is brought in” or “harvest time” in Nebraska.
The above portrait is one of my favorites showing this child skipping down a long country road behind her home. She is having fun, the smile is authentic (natural expression) and she is literally “off the ground” as she skips (at this moment).
And now two photos showing the horse owned by the family. These were two portraits I made of the horse they owned. The first photo is an Action Portrait showing the horse jumping in a competition.
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Examples of Photos Steadman Made for a Visiting Artist Program Host Family (A case where the primary subjects of the portraits were NOT equestrians.)
While I am traveling the USA for my Equestrian Project, I frequently stay with local hosts (individuals or families) to learn about an area of the country I have never seen before.
There is no requirement that a Host have a horse. A host may or may not have a horse, just as they may or may not ride horses.
I am frequently hosted by equestrians who have not only horses, but also families. In those cases, the host benefits as I often photograph the people with whom I stay, and those portraits do not have to include a horse. For example a family may have a rider in it, but there may be others (such as young children, spouses, grandparents, siblings) who do not ride horses. There are many possibilities for how a Visiting Artist Program Host may benefit, and this is one of my favorites and one of my hosts’ favorites too.
Below are a few examples of portraits and documentary style photography I made for a recent host who had a horse, and a teenage equestrian, and two younger children, and a big dog (a favorite pet).
The above photo shows a young girl who has just had a birthday present given to her, a new bicycle. The photo shows her taking it for a ride for the first time.
The next photo shows the youngest member of the family (the little brother to the girl above) who just at the moment pictured has just started riding (for the first time) a bicycle. He was a bit wobbly on it, but in those first few minutes he was also beaming with pride and joy and fun. A very special moment captured. All smiles are genuine and authentic to the moments.
These photos come about after some time establishing a bond or relationship with the family members, and that only happens when people get to know one another. Instead of the pressure some kids feel to perform, pose, or “smile” in a photo session (e.g. at a photo studio), this photography becomes “fun” for the kids and yields memorable, or what I call “Unforgettable Portraits” (TM) for the family. These moments are not staged, they are real moments in the child’s life, captured in a documentary style, as they live. It is one of my favorite ways of creating portraits for my hosts and for my own work as an artist.
The range of expressions you see are natural to the person in the photo, and what I call my “Natural Expressions” (TM) style of photography and portraits (whether photos or painted). I look for those moments where the personality and character show. For example, the photo below is not a “posed” portrait, as it is just a moment when the subject/child happened to be looking at her younger brother, while she was sitting at the top of a large slide, while she was having fun. It is real and authentic and natural expression.
The youngest child dreams of being a fireman. Though being a cowboy is also on his list too.
The photo above shows the little girl who is a very confident wakeboarder, even at her young age. She impressed me with her enjoyment of the wakeboarding, her spirit, and her confidence.
The above photo shows the three children in this family looking at some colorful Koi fish in a small pond. It is not a posed photo, and simply captures the real moment, as it happened.
The above portrait of the young girl was made at the time when “the corn is brought in” or “harvest time” in Nebraska.
The above portrait is one of my favorites showing this child skipping down a long country road behind her home. She is having fun, the smile is authentic (natural expression) and she is literally “off the ground” as she skips (at this moment).
And now two photos showing the horse owned by the family. These were two portraits I made of the horse they owned. The first photo is an Action Portrait showing the horse jumping in a competition.
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Verbatim Testimonial Letter from a Host Family with a Horse and Young Children
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Source: Angela was a Host participating in my Visiting Artist Program.
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“Dear Potential Host Families or Clients,
I had seen Steadman Uhlich’s posters around the Elkhorn, NE area with good intentions of giving a call to inquire. The pictures on the posters and cards were very beautiful! I just didn’t take the time to call and make a connection until I saw how he captured Melissa’s (our horse trainer) personality in a single shot! It was at that point I knew I wanted to learn more about his current Equestrians Project.
After visiting Steadman, viewing his extensive list of accomplishments /portraits on his website, and a discussion with my husband we thought “WHY NOT?” participate in the Visiting Artist Program!
We do own a horse, so capturing his magnificence was the first reason at least for me! The second was to see what more would come out of a professional photographer actually living with us! Just for the record, we have a very busy household with three children; ages 15, 7, and 5 with so many life moments that happen each and every day!
Steadman was there to capture each one of the kids’ unique personalities in a photograph that we will cherish forever! Not only were they beautiful photographs, but fine pieces of ART! Things we will display proudly on our walls and look at with great admiration!
Steadman has an incredible talent and eye for capturing something different than most photographers!
The one thing I would want to make sure potential hosts/clients realize is that if they decide to have Steadman photograph them, their family, or horse – that they will not be disappointed! What he is ultimately able to produce will greatly surpass your expectations without a doubt!
During the time Steadman stayed with us he became a good friend and part of our family. Our intention was for him to stay with us for only a couple weeks, we grew quite fond of him and truly enjoyed getting to know him on a more personal level the two months he stayed with us.
Steadman was a considerate, helpful and trustworthy individual that I can assure you will be the “perfect house guest”!
So if you are considering participating in his Visiting Artist Program, I can honestly say you will regret NOT taking advantage of the opportunity to know him on a personal level and have him create stunning photographic art just for you!
We wish him the best as he embarks on the next phase of his journey to create unforgettable photographs and art of equestrians. We cannot wait to see the results and will be first in line to support whatever results – perhaps a coffee table book or a gallery exhibit!
Thank you my friend for sharing your God given talents with me and my family!
Until We Meet Again,
Angela Davidson & Family”
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What Impression will your portrait make?
The hundreds of Global Impressions comments seen via the colorful link blocks below are a reflection of what people see in the portraits, art photographs, and paintings made by Steadman Uhlich.
Want to see more examples?
They cause people to say “WOW!”
Steadman’s Suggestion
“My suggestion to any prospective client: Spend a few minutes and read some of the Global Impressions comments to get an idea what people around the world see, feel, or sense about the character of the person in the picture when viewing these portraits. For example, there are numerous comments from around the world regarding one iconic portrait, “The Cowboy,” found on via the red link button below for the Global Impressions document about The Equestrians. Take a minute and read what people around the world saw in that portrait image and others in this new series.
Many of my earlier fine art portraits and fine art photos in my other collections of art photography have been published in magazines (in feature articles about my art, and as covers) and even as the front cover image for a national art magazine (in which I was the subject of a feature article about my work/art).
Just be aware that MOST of my best images will NOT be seen on the internet (even in my online portfolios or on my own websites) as I reserve them to be published later in books or magazines or as art for sale. Again, there are many beautiful images/photos/portraits I have already made as part of my Equestrian Project that are truly “stunning” and beautiful and have caused people to say “WOW!” Yet, they will NOT be seen on the internet or on my websites.
MOST of my most unusual and special (creative and different or unique) images and many of my personal favorites are not shown on my websites or on the internet (anywhere) until I have published them in a book or magazine or as art.
Those are reserved for private viewing during a consultation with my clients and prospective clients. As an example, my website only shows about 6 small thumbnails of my flower images. Yet there are 200+ striking and unique art images being prepared for a future book on the subject. The same goes for my collections “Art of Cars” and “Art of The Ocean.” Hundreds of beautiful and original images are in those collections too, yet only a handful of thumbnails are shown on the internet on my site.
In short, only a fraction of my best work is visible to the public via the internet.”
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