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Monday, March 28 2022 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Photography, Horses and a Photographic Memory

Melissa Fuller

Palm City, Florida

Editorial and Freelance Photographer

Melissa Fuller

 

How long have you been part of the horse world?

My best friend in middle school had an Appaloosa mare that kicked off my love of horses. All my horse-crazy friends and I used to make our “dream horse” list by picking out items from State Line Tack catalogs—silly, but we had such fun! I started volunteering and riding at various barns for the experience. My first horse show was a local show and I won first place in an equitation flat class when I was 13 on a Morgan mare named Sassy. From there, I went on to showing Arabians, Appaloosas and Quarter Horses. I worked my way up to riding warmbloods, and that’s when I was introduced to dressage and never looked back! I decided I didn’t like jumping after one time when my Arabian came to a halt in front of a jump and popped it, causing me to smack my face into his neck while I was still in two-point.

What part do you play in the horse world?

I was on the board of directors as the secretary and program designer of our local horse show for a few years in a row, but now I’m happy to be with Sidelines, as a photographer, for two-and-a-half years.

Melissa competing her Quarter Horse Tootsie in a dressage show as a young girl.

What’s your favorite thing about what you do? 

My favorite part about being with Sidelines is endless, really. I get to meet amazing people and travel. I get a firsthand look inside their stories and achievements. To capture their images for the magazine gives me a chance to get to know them and see personalities that are humble and radiate their love of horses. I have had the privilege to step inside some of the most gorgeous barns I’ve ever seen, and get close to absolutely beautiful horses! Some of the riders I’ve documented have stayed in touch with me, and that friendship is cherished.

What do you consider your biggest achievements?

I have many achievements that mean the world to me. I entered print competitions for many years with the photography guild I was a member of and won numerous awards. All of my accolades from my riding days make me smile. It was important for me to end my ride on a good note. If I had a “not so great” ride, I saw that as an experience my horse and I had to get through. My family is most important to me: being a good mom, wife, daughter and friend!

 

What are your goals?

My goals for my company and myself are to “just keep swimming!” I’m always looking for ways to be creative and keep my perspective fresh with my photography. I have an eye for detail, almost to the point of it being a curse as well as a blessing! I strive for putting back into my business, whether it’s new equipment or attending photography seminars for continuing education.

Melissa doing a photo shoot for Sidelines magazine, with a little help from a friend.

 

What’s the best thing about your life?

The best thing for me so far is being able to look back and see how much growth I’ve accomplished. I want to continue to travel, experience, learn and just plain soak up everything I can. I love the quote by Ken Blanchard, “When you stop learning, you stop growing.”

 

Best-kept secret about what you do?

I have an oddity of having a photographic memory of every house I’ve ever been in. I could recite the complete layout of the house, even if I’ve been in it for 20 minutes. I probably should have been a realtor! Also, it’s really no secret, but I love educating those I’m photographing. I try to explain things during the session so they understand the thought process of photography.

Melissa enjoys some puppy love from Willow, her Mastiff/Cur mix.

 

 

For more information, visit msfullerphotography.com

 

Photos courtesy of Melissa Fuller

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Tagged under: dressage, equestrian, horses, melissa fuller, photographer

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Emily Dulin has always been an animal lover, and h Emily Dulin has always been an animal lover, and helping others is in her blood. She’s the daughter of a Venezuelan ambassador and has spent much of her professional career working in social services and animal welfare. In 2015, Emily took on the role of chief executive officer of Brooke USA Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules, and helping the people that depend on them for survival worldwide. 

“We are making a difference,” Emily said. “We will evaluate an animal at the start of a new program, and then just one, two and then five years later, we see marked improvements in terms of how they are handled, husbandry practices, what they eat and even how crops are being grown just to feed their animals—how feed is stored—and more. To see that end result firsthand is what I find most satisfying.”

Get to know Emily and how she helps working equines as the leader of @brooke_usa at the link in our bio!

Thank you to Brooke and Cody Holcomb of Wyco Ranch in Ft. Pierce, Florida, for the use of your farm, donkeys and horses for the Sidelines photo shoot.

📸 Melissa Fuller #equine #horse #equestrian #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrianlife #horseriding #dressage #instahorse #pony #horselove #pferd #equinephotography #showjumping #horselover #horselife #cheval #horsebackriding #horsephotography #equestrianstyle #donkey #pferde #horseofinstagram #equestriansofinstagram #riding #photography #equinesofinstagram #caballo #dressagehorse #sidelinesmagazine
The February issue of Sidelines Magazine is here a The February issue of Sidelines Magazine is here and it's filled with love - including the love story of dressage riders Sarah Lockman Tubman and Lee Tubman! Thanks to photographer Kristen Scott-Crocker for the beautiful photos and Kimberly Gatto for sharing Sarah and Lee's story. 

We have so many amazing stories in this issue—get to know Sharn Wordley and Craig Martin of Wordley Martin Equestrian, LLC, the two Kiwis have had a fascinating journey in the equestrian world! And meet three day eventer Liz Lund who not only has a great story but wins the award for holding the most horses in one photo taken by Sidelines photographer Melissa Fuller. Hint, it's more than five but less than seven - and everyone had their ears up!! Amazing! 

Also meet hunter-jumper rider and photographer Kirsten Hannah Lafforthun, artist Vanessa Whittell Equine-art, dressage rider Brett Ingram and Emily Marquez-Dulin of Brooke USA, which is a great organization to support - make sure to visit them! 

Meet Madison Ibach and Reagan Ibach, sisters who work at the Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort and have a huge social media presence - make sure to follow them on Instagram! We are excited to continue our Women Entrepreneur stories and introduce you to Gigi Stetler, President/CEO of Broward RV. 

We also feature three great breeding and stallion stories and introduce you to John Almond and Margaret Hoffecker Almond of Loafers Lodge Welsh, and Craig Heckert and Patty Larson of Rivervale Farm, and Kelly Sigler Patterson of Looking Glass Farm. Mary Choate has great answers to share in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists Rob R.L. Jacobs, George Williams, Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing and Margie Sugarman. 

Make sure to sign up for a year's subscription to Sidelines by visiting our website, www.sidelinesmagazine.com so you can get a copy of the magazine sent to your house or barn every month! Enjoy reading this issue now - link in bio!
FOR SALE: $6.3M--Unique 80-acre, waterfront, eques FOR SALE: $6.3M--Unique 80-acre, waterfront, equestrian estate with expansive views of the Elk River is located in the luxurious horse country of Cecil County, Maryland. In close proximity to Fair Hill, Devon and all the indoor stops: Penn National, Washington & Capital Challenge.

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#equestrianrealestate #realestate #luxuryrealestate #commercialdevelopment  #commercialrealestate #developmentrealestate #development #commercial #land #agland #agriculturalland #equestrianland #horseproperty #milliondollarlisting #equestrian #equestrianestate #pond #pondproperty #equestrianlife #dreamhouse #equestrianlifestyle #horselife #equestrianproperty #horsefarmforsale #horses #sidelinesmagazine
Warning, this column addresses the need for more v Warning, this column addresses the need for more volunteers! 

"However, I’m not talking about stuffing envelopes or other similar tasks. Don’t get me wrong, those are essential jobs and I’m grateful to those who do them," said Sidelines columnist, George Williams. 

"This column is for those of you who want to play a role in the direction of our sport, see areas needing improvement, or perhaps have a vision of where you want it to go in the future.

It’s true that over the years our organizations have matured and now seem more like institutions. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t still a tremendous need for volunteers. Perhaps in some ways there is more need than ever. Like most institutions that become settled in their ways, they need innovation, revitalization and sometimes even reinvention to keep them fresh and relevant in order to meet the needs of their constituents and/or adapt to new societal norms. 

There are constantly new challenges, and as so often has been the case in the past, it takes the different perspectives that come from a mix of knowledgeable staff and good volunteers who can bring those fresh ideas and innovations needed to continue moving forward," George said. 

"If you’re interested in getting involved, never fear—there’s still a lot of rewarding work to be done."

Read the full column at the link in our bio!

📸 Ruby Tevis #dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #volunteer #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #sidelinesmagazine
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