Beautiful Photos Capture the “Untamed Spirits” of Majestic Horses From Around the World

White horses running through a stream of water

“Luminary” by © Drew Doggett
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Photographer Drew Doggett has established a successful career in fashion photography by the time he was 25 years old. Though he had steady work traveling the world to capture models and other celebrities on film, he was ready to branch out on his own to tell a story that only he could through striking images of unheralded places and people. This led him to the Himalayas, Iceland, and Namibia among other locales. One commonality among these diverse locations has been the presence of majestic wild horses. Now, 15 years later, the renowned photographer has now published a remarkable new book, titled Untamed Spirits: Horses Around the World, that shows the brilliant way his fashion-trained aesthetic translates to equine photography.

“Images are, in a sense, immortal,” Doggett says, “and I aim to create a portrait of our world that allows for a moment of mindfulness as well as recognition of shared human interest.” His horse photographs celebrate a diverse range of experiences and environments. It's impossible to remain unmoved when viewing his gorgeous, near-monochromatic photos of horses galloping in vast surroundings that seem almost mythical.

Along with his dreamlike scenes in the wild, Doggett includes more intimate portraits of horses in Untamed Spirits. With nothing in the background, the focus is on the sheer beauty and unique personality of each separate steed. Their soulful eyes force the audience to recognize the intelligence and emotional depth that we can often strip from animals. He also presents a remarkable range of horses from around the world, including “Icelandic horses beneath waterfalls; rescue horses photographed underwater in the West Indies; the elite horses competing in Wellington, Florida, each year; the wild and free horses of Sable Island; and the ancient, bold, and beautiful, all-white Camargue horses in the South of France.” Each image elevates the art of animal photography, and Doggett's work demonstrates a timeless aesthetic that plays with light and darkness, as well as form and negative space.

Untamed Spirits: Horses Around the World published by teNeues Publishers will be released on July 2, 2024, but it is currently available to pre-order on Bookshop and Amazon.

Photographer Drew Doggett spent a decade photographing horses on four continents for his epic images in a new photo book titled Untamed Spirits: Horses Around the World.

"Untamed Spirits" Horse Photography in Iceland by Drew Dogget

“Eternal Bond” by © Drew Doggett

Among the 220 photos are underwater photographs displaying the athleticism of rescue horses in the West Indies.

Horse swimming in water

“Celestial Light” by © Drew Doggett

Other beautiful portraits capture the up-close details of these majestic creatures.

Three horses with long manes

“Trinity” by © Drew Doggett

Close-up of a horse's face

“Untamed Spirit” by © Drew Doggett

Up-close photo of a horse's eye

“Reflection” by © Drew Doggett

Horse enthusiasts and photography connoisseurs alike will appreciate the way Doggett captures the unique features and personalities of these different horse breeds.

Profile photo of a dark horse

“Black Diamond” by © Drew Doggett

Beautiful white horse

“Etched in Stone” by © Drew Doggett

Close-up of a white horse's face

“Éthéré” by © Drew Doggett

The photo book Untamed Spirits is now available for pre-order now on Bookshop and Amazon, and it will be released on July 2, 2024.

White horse on a beach

“Ocean Escape” by © Drew Doggett

Drew Doggett: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Drew Doggett.

Related Articles:

Photographer Recreates His Dad’s Old Modeling Photos in Then-and-Now Portraits

Interview: Man Turns Passion for Hiking into Career as Landscape Photographer

Polar Bears and Ethereal Landscapes Are This Photographer’s Postcards From the Arctic Circle

Iceland Has Horses That Will Respond To Work Emails on a Giant Keyboard While You’re on Vacation

Elizabeth Beiser

Elizabeth Beiser is a Contributing Writer and Project Coordinator at My Modern Met. She has a background in American Cultural History with a special focus on Modern art and democratic community building. She received her B.A. in history, with a minor in Studio Arts, and her M.A. in history from the University of Rochester. She has worked on multiple political campaigns, as well as in non-profit operations and direct service. When she’s not writing, she’s experimenting with all varieties of arts and crafts. She also enjoys spending time with four-legged friends and exploring her hometown of Boston.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.

Sponsored Content