THE JOURNAL

Tales From a Wild Heart

A place to explore, dream, and delve deeper into my art practice and the horses I photograph.

Esther Towler 3/17/25 Esther Towler 3/17/25

Capturing the Soul: A Photographer's Dance with the Hackney

To photograph the Hackney for my Wild Hearts book project about rare native equine breeds was to witness a living poem, a symphony of movement etched in muscle and light. It wasn't simply a task; it was a pilgrimage into the heart of elegance. My lens became a portal, transporting me into a realm where beauty reigned supreme.

Esther Towler 1/27/25 Esther Towler 1/27/25

Finding Freedom Through the Lens: My Photography Journey

I began to photograph the things that brought me joy, from rays of light on water to barren vast landscapes. I photographed from the heart with no constraints or rules of photography in my head. I began to see photography as a time capsule, freeze-framing beautiful moments to enjoy when I needed them the most. The time I spent photographing from the heart with no agenda has played an important part in where I am today in my art career. Read more about my photography journey in this blog post.

Esther Towler 10/10/24 Esther Towler 10/10/24

Podcast Guest Experience

A few weeks ago I was invited by Mara Robinson to talk about encaustic photography on her season 2 podcast called Is that really photography? Which is about alternative photography processes

Esther Towler 7/1/24 Esther Towler 7/1/24

The Horses of Holy Isle

Located off the west coast of Scotland, Holy Isle has an ancient spiritual heritage stretching back to the 6th century. The Holy Isle is now taken care of by a group of Buddhist monks from Samye Ling. This natural beauty spot is now a place of peace and meditation where the Centre for World Peace and Health is situated.

Esther Towler 5/1/24 Esther Towler 5/1/24

The Art of Encaustic Photography

After inspection, next comes the question “What is it?“ So I have decided to put together this blog post to hopefully explain photo-encaustics in a little more detail.

Esther Towler 4/1/24 Esther Towler 4/1/24

Harnessing the Power of Equine Conservation Grazing: A Tale of Biodiversity and Heritage

As someone passionate about our equine native breeds, I’m really interested in finding out more about Equine Conservation grazing.

Conservation grazing, a practice harnessing the innate abilities of semi-feral or domesticated equine breeds, is emerging as a powerful tool in the restoration and preservation of diverse ecosystems across the United Kingdom. Horses and our natural work together and create harmony with nature and the landscapes they dwell in.