We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Manifold and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, would you say you are following and pursuing your passion?
The sound of thundering hooves, the innocence in the eye of a wild horse, a mare sheltering her foal, stallions sparring, family life of a mustang… an American Icon. Yes! I am passionate about wild horses and the plight of their future. To spend time with these majestic beings, photograph them and share with the public to raise awareness has become a way of life for me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So many many buttons on a camera. Overwhelming but, by taking one button at a time I’ve learned an array of functions to capture cherished moments with nature’s iconic “wild ones”.. the American Mustang. The plight of wild horses for future generations to experience in and on American lands is fraught with challenges negating their very existence. Researching their current day demise of round-ups and slaughter bound journeys has been heart wrenching. They are magnificent and majestic beings intertwined throughout humanity’s history on each and every corner of earth. Yet, I’ve learned… Horses don’t lie; can run with the wind; and can see into your soul. Learning how to photograph wild horses and sharing the photos publicly has become a passion to raise awareness of both they’re magnificence and the challenges they face to survive into the future. It is how I look them in the eye…

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Visiting Friend Itinerary: Start at the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest at sunrise to see if we could locate wild horses. If you are visiting in summer we would leave no later than 1 as the triple digit heat can take its toll. Off to lunch at Sprout’s deli and possibly a nap. The night brings stars and moonlit landscapes to explore in around east Phoenix. Another early day to the Gilbert Water Riparian. So many species of birds to see –ducks, egrets, heron, warblers, cardinals, etc. Maybe another lunch at Sprouts deli. Then off to Usery Regional park for Tonto National Forest or a sunset and hike and maybe more stargazing. The next days may see us going to Boyce Thompson Arboretum for the day, Phoenix Zoo and/or Desert Botanical Gardens, and then Madera Canyon in Tucson. Of course this is only a rough Itinerary because we may be able to chase a monsoon storm to see some epic lightening or spend a day in the Apache-Sitgreave National Forest looking for wild horses or visit Watson Lake or hike the Superstition Mountains or…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Many thanks to Professor KiKi Seror whose guidance and instruction introduced me to the photographic greats and laid a baseline to chase dreams; the phenomenal photographers and teachers Lisa Langell & Tony Stromberg for continued inspiration; Veronica Hatch, Barbarie Bowling and Lynnette Marcotte’s friendship, unwavering support and encouragement to follow my dreams; Karl Shafer’s and so many others supportive patronage; Mitch & Kathy Miller and Micheal McCall’s support and belief in my work. I have been fortunate my paths have crossed with each and everyone of them.

Website: lisa-manifold.pixels.com
Instagram: manifoldlm
Facebook: manifoldlm or Lisa Manifold

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