It’s pretty incredible to think Libby Law only took up photography less than a decade ago. Since starting out with a modest camera she’s come a long way – Libby scooped one of the industry’s biggest awards in July 2017 when she won the Silver Camera for the best equestrian sport photo of the year, her winning image (taken at the Rio Olympics) was chosen out of 101 entries from all over the world.
Libby – who also won the FEI Grand Prix photography prize in 2014 – was one of three finalists, along with famed Dutch photographer Arnd Bronkhorst and France’s Erik Knoll. Unsurprisingly to those who know the delightfully effusive Libby, on hearing her name announced at the award ceremony she burst into tears.
“I didn’t realise how prestigious it was; it’s been a huge deal,” says Libby. “The award ceremony was in the main arena and that’s a stadium that seats 40,000 people – the reaction from the crowd was similar to what the riders experience when they win, so it was totally unforgettable!
Libby’s life change
Growing up just south of Rotorua in Ngakuru, Libby lived on an 800-acre sheep and deer farm with her parents and three older siblings; sisters Kate and Charlotte and brother Ed. The whole family rode and Libby got her first pony when she was five. In their teenage years, Libby and Kate were quite serious about eventing.
“We started doing horse trials as soon as we could. I went to Intermediate level and my sister Kate went to Advanced. Kate had the guts and that competitive spirit; I didn’t – I just liked the fun of it,” recalls Libby.
She stopped riding at 19 when she sold her horse and moved to Queenstown, veering right away from the equestrian world and working in tourism, hospitality, event management and sales. She lived in Queenstown for a while and then in Whistler, Canada, for seven years.
But Libby has always loved taking photographs. She did a couple of amateur courses to learn the basics – how to frame and be quick to capture a shot. But on the whole, she’s honed her craft on the job, and she clearly has a gift that just can’t be taught.
She says to start with although she loved the idea of working as a photographer, in her younger years she lacked the courage to pursue it as a career. It was only after returning to New Zealand in 2010, and “feeling a little lost”, that she sought the advice of a life coach.
“He asked if I could buy some photography equipment and support myself for a year to see how it went. Luckily, I was in a position where I could do that, and I found myself at Woodhill Sands. I did try a few other things – weddings and a fashion show – but I kept coming back to the horses.”
Libby’s first big break came with NZ Horse & Pony magazine, which was the first publication to run her photos. “I’ve had a really good connection with Rowan, the editor, ever since. NZ Horse & Pony has definitely been pivotal in my career,” she says.
Libby’s formidable work ethic and passion for the horses and riders she photographs shines through in her images, earning her respect from the sport’s biggest names. And thanks to her own eventing background, Libby has a sincere appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes.
“I’ve got experience of what it takes to produce horses and get them to events, so one of my biggest goals is to try and encapsulate in a photo all the work that goes into that moment,” explains Libby. “I don’t want to just get a pretty photo of a horse jumping perfectly over a fence, I want more than that.
“My favourite photos are the ones where you can see the horse and rider really thinking. Sometimes the horse has suddenly seen the jump is wider than it first perceived, or it got a slightly wrong stride, so the fence becomes bigger. They’re the ones that usually capture me, because it’s where you see the elasticity and the gymnastic ability of a horse and the skill of the rider.”
Forging a career
Libby usually spends seven months of the year overseas, photographing international events, and then from late spring to early autumn back here in New Zealand – though of course the Covid-19 pandemic has put paid to that for the meantime. She made her first foray to England in 2011, unsure if there would be a market for her work.
“Going over there I was a little bit worried that it wouldn’t be as impressive as it had been in my mind, as a little kid growing up in awe of the likes of Mark Todd. It wasn’t until I captured one of the first horses over a big combination, where I saw the four-star quality of the horses, the fitness and the scope, that I realised it was even bigger than I ever imagined – it blew me away.”
That first season overseas was quite lonely – everything was new and she didn’t really know anybody. She recalls introducing herself to Tim and Jonelle Price and feeling “like a bull in a china shop” with nervousness. “Jonelle just looked at my very bemusedly, because here I was, like this little Jack Russell,” laughs Libby.
She has similar memories of charging up to Sir Mark Todd for the first time during a shoot at Abderry; shaking his hand firmly, introducing herself rapidly and then walking away because she’d started shaking. Later, she went to take a photo of Mark and forgot to take the lens cap off.
These days, Libby has a great relationship with all the overseas-based Kiwis is on first-name terms with many other international riders, though she doesn’t see much of them at shows.
Instead, during the day she is busy shooting and at night she’s typically tucked away in a media centre, editing and filing images. Still, she says Mark Todd has become “beyond a friend” and one of the highlights of her career was being invited on all-expenses trip to cover a show in Quatar, as the Australia and New Zealand media representative. “I found out when I got over there that Mark Todd had recommended me, and I just felt this huge sense of pride, as well as this huge sense of responsibility to represent Mark well. I feel very privileged to know Mark – the pedestal I put him on just gets higher.”
However, Libby says she doesn’t want to become overly familiar with the riders she’s photographing, or party with them. “My aim is not to become friends, but to represent them incredibly in what they do through my photos.”
Libby’s nomadic lifestyle means she has no permanent base in the UK; instead of renting a flat she has a motorhome, and literally travels from show to show.
“The events all have a camping area with power hook-up, and showers and cafes – it’s a really cool community to be travelling around in.
“I average 80 hours of work through an event and I very rarely get much sleep on a Sunday night. On Monday I’m crazily editing, filing and getting stuff away. Tuesday is my travelling day and sometimes I’m driving up to 1500 kilometres and then catching an 11-hour ferry. With the lifestyle I lead, driving to the events is my wind-down. I love driving and it’s very peaceful – it’s a time when I’m away from the cameras and communication.”
At an event, Libby loves the urgency of the media rooms after a busy day of shooting. “My heartbeat goes up and I get so engrossed in what I’m doing I don’t notice what’s going on around me and all of a sudden the media centre is empty – I’m nearly always the last one there! And when you see the photos going up and people sharing them, I love it – it’s not that I strive for people to see Libby Law, but I want to allow other people to experience that moment.”
Libby smiles at her early photos, which were taken with a $1200 camera package from Dick Smith. As her business grew, she has continually upgraded her gear, and now has tens of thousands invested in her photographic equipment.
She says her own can-do approach is a strong part of the reason for her success. “I’ve never waited for anybody to send me anywhere. I will spend the money and get myself to places. I’ve built up a really good client base of international magazines in about 12 different countries now.”
Tricks of the trade
Libby has a knack of capturing both horses and people from the right angle, and her outgoing nature means she’s also not above telling riders to go look in the mirror to get themselves looking good for a photo.
“I’m a goofball and I think my persona of being a bit hyperactive does quite well in relaxing people and making them laugh,” says Libby. “Sometimes I do just barrel up to people and re-arrange their hair!
“I’m working with riders who have a good position on a horse, but when they’re in front of a camera, some of them slump, and I know they’re not comfortable. I’ll tell them to pretend they’re on a horse, put their shoulders back and engage their core – as soon as you do that, you stand really well. I’ll also show them a few photos and as soon as they see they look okay, they start to relax a bit more.
“I think everyone is beautiful, I really do, but I’ve learned that some people are overly sensitive – they’re not vain, but there’s a little bit of insecurity. So being able to work with them to get that amazing shot is really exciting.”
Five minutes with Libby
Which is your favourite show? Aachen – it’s mind-blowing and on a different level even to the Olympics and WEG. But I love all the events I go to and as media we are treated so well. The New Zealand eventers define my season and because they are in the top echelon, they take me everywhere. It’s because of them and the people I’m representing – NZ Horse & Pony among them – that I find myself at these incredible events. I’m just this tiny part in a really cool chain and I’ll never overlook that.
Who are your favourite riders to photograph? All the New Zealanders, without a doubt – I can’t pull one out. But of the international riders, Ingrid Klimke is someone I’ve gotten to know quite well and I did an at-home shoot with her for NZ Horse & Pony, so that was special. I also think the world of Zara Tindall. Other riders I really respect are Michael Jung, Maxime Livio, Astier Nicolas and Buck Davidson. You might think that these top riders would have a bit of an attitude, but they don’t. They are the loveliest people and their passion for their horses is so incredible that it just takes your breath away. That in itself makes me want to take better photos of them.
What are your career highlights? Definitely winning the awards, as well as going to the WEG and the Olympics. Rio was my first Olympic media accreditation, which is really difficult to get, so that’s another huge kudos that I’m really proud of. And obviously, getting your first photos in a magazine is huge, and it was NZ Horse & Pony, which is so special.
How do you keep your energy levels up at a show? I adore my cup of coffee in the morning. I have toned down my consumption of energy drinks, but if I am tired I will gravitate towards them, although they are terrible! I eat a lot of nuts and fruit and I drink a lot of water. I am a healthy eater and I don’t drink alcohol.
Who have been your inspirations? Barbara Thompson and Kit Houghton. Barbara not just because of her photography but also her involvement in the sport – she was just such a beautiful person. I knew her from when I was riding; everyone’s got a photo of Barbara’s on their wall. And Kit Houghton, because NZ Horse & Pony ran quite a lot of his photographs over the years and that name always stood out for me, so it was really exciting meeting him at my first Badminton.
Do you miss riding? No, because I love what I’m doing now. But I had a hack out with Blyth Tait recently, and a couple of years ago Caroline Powell made me have a jump – the first time I’d jumped in about 19 years – and I loved it.
Who is the trickiest rider to deal with? None. I’m not a journalist who has to ask the tricky questions. However, I’m careful with certain riders who I know are self-conscious, as I never want to embarrass anyone. You get to know the riders you can be a bit cheeky with in photos, and the ones you can’t. It’s an important part of what we do, to have respect. There are definitely people out there who the riders avoid.
How do you keep motivated? I know there are so many more moments to capture – they will never cease to exist. I always want to keep learning, work longer, harder, stronger to represent these amazing athletes in the best way possible. That’s the beauty of it.
- This article was first published in the September 2017 issue of NZ Horse & Pony
