Five Minutes With... Photographer - Liz Speed

Photographer Liz Speed has an undeniable talent for producing stunning horse photos - from action shots in the cutting pen to atmospheric and beautiful images of horses being horses - Liz understands what's needed for the perfect picture.

Liz has been around horses all her life and as a child was involved in Pony Club and show riding, being fortunate enough to have beautiful Show ponies, which she and her brothers competed on with great success.  Since then Liz's life has been full of horses of all kinds from Polo ponies to Cutting horses.

Her passion for photography started years ago and Liz has always enjoyed taking photos of horses - loving their power, beauty and grace.  With her vast experience Liz is able to capture the essence of each and every subject and is especially talented at immortalising the magic bond between humans and horses in a beautiful photographs.

Jo Johnson caught up with Liz, after viewing her stunning photos from the NCHA Futurity show, to find out more...

Liz, you've always been a keen horsewoman with a passion for photography - when did you first start taking photos of horses?
I can't remember exactly when I started taking horse photos - I was very young - it was a long time ago! I've always loved photography and by the time I was a teenager I had a good quality camera and was continually striving to get that great shot.

What horse sport do you enjoy photographing the most and why?
I love photographing Cutting, because you can capture the action, the horse's muscles working, their movement and athletic ability.  I also enjoy photographing Pony Club because kids and ponies make such great subjects and it's wonderful to capture their relationships.  I also think these photos are treasured by the families because they will have the images forever, even though the children grow up! Thoroughbred horse racing is great to photograph too - racehorses display such amazing power and beauty.

What makes a great subject for a photo?
Something that's expressive, which shows the feelings and strength of the horse and emotions of the people.  Once again I enjoy capturing that relationship between humans and animals.  A great action shot is also hard to beat!

What are some of the biggest events your photographed?
Recently the NCHA Futurity Show and Pony Club State Championships at Blackall.

How far do you travel to photograph events?
I mainly work around Queensland and Northern New South Wales, but am happy to travel anywhere in Australia really to photograph events.

 

Is there a horse sport you haven't photographed yet that you're keen to have a go at?
I would love to have a go at photographing Eventing - the cross country.

What upcoming events are you covering?
The Central Queensland cutting shows and the Coast to Coal QHA western performance shows at Nebo.

How did you become involved with the sport of cutting?
Through friends approximately ten years ago. We went to a Cutting competition and really enjoyed the sport and the people.  We worked closely with Jason Leitch when we first started out - our property was previously the base where Jason and Rachel Leitch trained Cutting horses.  Now we pretty much do it ourselves now. The whole family are keen!  We currently have three competition horses and a few quality broodmares for breeding purposes.

In addition to showing ponies as a child and Cutting - have there been other horse sports in your life?

After school I was involved with Polo ponies, and worked with Jim and Stewart Gilmore at Clifton and then moved to Elliston, Scone. I really enjoyed taking photos of the Polo horses in action too!

 

Where do you call home?

I live on a cattle station in Central Queensland, alongside the Carnarvon National Park Range System, on a property called "Goodliffe”, which is situated at the headwater of the Nogoa River.  It's a very beautiful place with a permanent backdrop of the mountains called the Goodliffe National Park.  I live here with my husband James and children Stuart and Melissa. We run about 6500 cattle, so it's quite a busy place! There is never a dull moment!

 

You have a shop - Emerald Photographics - how did that get on in the floods?

Emerald Photographics is a one stop photo shop where we carry out everything and anything to do with photos!  I have only had the shop for 12 months - unfortunately it was badly damaged during the floods in December and we've only just reopened.  We're now busy getting back on track.

 

When you're not working on the property, managing the shop or photographing horses, I hear you're often busy with another species of four legged critters?

Yes, I have been breeding Labradors for about four years now and we often have adorable puppies causing havoc about the house yard. I find the Labradors are a wonderful family pet, with loads of personality and the sweetest nature that makes them suitable for kids, the elderly and everybody in between! I just can't imagine our lives without them.

How do you relax?
Go ride my horse or hang out with the kids and James.

Goals for the future?
Photograph more major horse events!

What would you be doing if you weren't where you are now?
I don't know? I'm so happy with my current circumstances I haven't ever thought about it...

 

Thanks Liz for your time and we look forward to seeing more of your wonderful photos in future!

 

 

If you're looking for a great horse photographer for an event or simply to take quality photos of your horses, children and other pets, be sure to get in touch with Liz at goodliffe@activ8.net.au or on 07 4984 4098.

Quick Links

• Liz's NCHA Photo Galleries on Horsezone.
• Liz Speed Photography website.
• If you want to join in the fun of Cutting - check out Cutting horses listed for sale on Horsezone!