Personal, Business, and Equestrian Life

First of all I’d like to thank my amazing clients, friends, and family for your business and support this year and beyond. You allow me to do what I love and use my gifts and skill to capture irreplaceable memories.  

This year flew by for me, yet was one of my most challenging years. Between questioning my business and identity without my equine inspiration Wasabi and facing challenges within the industry amidst a changing virtual world with AI, I can say I came out stronger. I am not strongly connected to my Asian roots, but I do believe the Year of the Snake accurately sums up 2025 for me. The Year of the Snake foresaw transformation by shedding old patterns for personal growth and creative flexibility. 

Losing my heart horse Wasabi forced me to grapple with who I am without him and the business I built around him. I found I missed him in unexpected ways and wanted to quit horses altogether for a bit. I felt no joy with riding as I previously did and felt it was a good time to pull back and focus on other pursuits. Unfortunately that lack of motivation also transferred to my business. How can an equine photographer not find joy in their main subject? 

I felt lost for quite some time, but pushed myself to continue showing up at my barn and go through the motions. My friends and family were a great support during this time, and I can say that my spark has been rekindled slowly over the year. From the outside, my life hasn’t changed very much this entire time despite my feelings about horses and my role as a photographer being complicated. 

In June, I adopted a horse from a client and now-friend’s rescue she managed. At the time, Venus was an approximately 4 year old un-started Dutch Harness (likely cross) mare. She was sweet and a pretty blank slate. I love working with all sorts of horses and was running low on available horses to ride. Venus was a shared project (as I work most weekends in the summer) and the goal was always to train her and find her a forever home. (Of course I was up front with the rescue about this.)

While Venus I knew would never be the bay OTTB gelding I plan to have again as a forever partner for me once again, she needed someone and I was able to help provide that for her. My feelings about riding in general were complicated, but she was a good distraction from some of those despite being quite different from my usual type of mount. She is doing wonderful and still is looking for her forever home, but I’m not in a rush to sell her. She’s a joy to have in the barn and a good home is my main priority.

Photography Wins

Unfortunately my lack of passion for horses after losing Wasabi I felt made its way into in my business this year. I just didn’t have the energy to post like I usually do or do as many creative personal projects without my model horse Wasabi to do whatever I wanted with. Of course I had horses I could photograph, but it isn’t the same as doing them with a perfect model that is also your heart horse. 

Still I pushed on and continued to the best of my ability and took on a large number of portrait sessions and fine art sessions. I photographed over 60 equines total for portraits and fine art this year, which I believe is an all time high. I photographed the most weddings I have yet this year and feel confident raising my prices going into 2026 to account for my experience and unique perspective I bring to weddings. I was published in my first magazine, Wedding Day Magazine, featuring a six page spread from a styled shoot hosted by Ivy Grove rentals (a faux floral company). I pushed myself to revamp my dog and pet sessions and have adapted my style to be a bit more cohesive with my equine portraits. I also pushed myself to play around more with video and reels this year, so I plan to offer more of them to clients next year and have some exciting new ideas for 2026 offerings. 

I decided to step back from taking on as many shows this year to focus on not burning out and photographing disciplines I am more specialized in. While I wouldn’t mind taking on a few shows as Official Photographer, my main passion is fine art and portraiture, so I feel that taking on many shows as OP doesn’t align with my current goals. You’ll find most of my show work behind the scenes of other photographers such as Josa Comstock Photography LLC, John Borys Photography, and Susan J Stickle Photography LLC. I traveled to Texas for the first time to photograph Region 9 Dressage regionals and WEC Ohio for the first time to photograph Dressage National Finals for Susan Stickle. I also worked for Karinda K for a new show circuit called United Jumping & Dressage Club (UJDC). This organization focuses on a new approach to showing that is more affordable, educational, and inclusive that aims to increase equine welfare practices.

Final Thoughts

Initially I was disappointed about taking a step back from certain areas of photography, but I am now looking forward to the future. While losing Wasabi was devastating, this change forced me to think deeply about my long term goals and pushed me to change. I have changed not only how I approach every session, but every horse, animal, and person I meet. I miss Wasabi every day for the smallest things I never expected and the larger moments, but I truly believe his loss was meant to lead me to something bigger. He taught me so much that I can bring to other horses that is irreplaceable and if I could have him back healthily, I’d continue to love and care for him again. and his absence allows for opportunities I don’t believe I would have taken previously. I will talk more about my future plans when things are more secure, but for now I’ll say that I’m looking forward to security while continuing to pursue my true creative interests long term.

Next year is Year of the Horse. I am hoping next year will be my year to find Venus her forever home she deserves and find my dream forever horse for myself. I also am looking forward to really pushing my creative dreams and ideas I’ve been workshopping. In the coming year, I will continue to work tirelessly to offer high quality fine art equine, portrait, and wedding photography with some returning and some updated packages.

Thank you again for your support and business! I appreciate any and all forms of help for my business. Whether following me on social media, engaging with my posts, booking portrait sessions and weddings with me, recommending me to friends, writing testimonials on Google and Facebook, buying prints or calendars, supporting photographers I work for, or just saying hi when you see me, every bit helps.

-Julia