This project with Dartmoor Riding Holidays was a chance to capture something truly unique in the English countryside: a western-style cattle handling experience set against the dramatic landscapes of Dartmoor. The shoot was about more than horses and cattle; it was about tradition, skill, and the connection between people, animals, and the land.
As a lifestyle photographer and outdoor photographer, I wanted to frame the story in a way that felt authentic and immersive. The wide-open spaces of Dartmoor gave a cinematic backdrop — sweeping skies, rolling moorland, and textures of grass and stone that echoed the rugged spirit of the American West. But it was grounded in a very Devon sense of place, blending local character with the influence of western horsemanship.
The images move between quiet, intimate moments — a rider adjusting tack, a hand reaching to steady a calf — and the more dynamic energy of the cattle being driven across the land. Horses, dust, and movement all came together to create a rhythm that was both raw and beautiful.
What struck me most during this shoot was the sense of community and tradition. Dartmoor Riding Holidays have created an experience that not only teaches practical skills, but also allows riders to step into a different way of life, even if just for a day. Photographing it felt like documenting a lifestyle — one where respect for animals, teamwork, and the outdoors are at the heart of the story.
This series is about more than cattle handling. It’s about capturing the essence of adventure, the authenticity of rural life, and the freedom of being outdoors in one of the UK’s most striking landscapes.
