Meet Bianca McCarty | Equine Photographer & Art Director

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

Hi Bianca, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, I didn’t set out with a grand plan. I was just following my gut, putting one foot in front of the other, and making the best of whatever was in front of me at the time. I knew there were things I wanted — a college degree, a versatile skill set, the freedom to tell the stories that mattered to me. Before photography, I was a painter. But as my life shifted, painting no longer felt like the right tool. The stories I wanted to tell needed a different kind of language, and that’s when photography found me.

When I first started photographing 16 years ago, it was about finding beauty in life’s quiet, overlooked moments, and creating spaces rooted in sincerity — the throughline was always the same: connection over clout, depth over speed.
While the equestrian world holds incredible beauty, it can also be a place weighed down by judgment and unrealistic standards. My work as a multidisciplinary equine photographer allowed me to build something that served a deeper purpose, spaces that foster belonging and meaning rather than simply chasing external validation. It’s about creating work that reflects your values and gives others a place to belong.

From the very beginning, it wasn’t just about creating beautiful images — it was about creating an experience where people felt seen, understood, and valued. My clients don’t come to me just for a finished product; they come for how it feels to be in front of my lens. It’s the way we laugh between shots, the ease of being seen without pretense, the comfort of knowing you don’t have to perform or be anything other than yourself.

I believe in nurturing the kind of connections that endure long after the novelty fades, ones built on trust, authenticity, and mutual respect. As I went along I wanted to create a place where people felt truly seen, understood, and valued — not just another transaction in the endless shuffle. And that’s always been my goal: to offer more than a service, to create a space where people feel celebrated and at home.

In many ways, I pursued an artistic, creative life because it was the only thing that felt fully aligned with who I was and what I loved: horses, storytelling, connection, and the quiet, beautiful moments that so often go unseen. Combining my profession with my love for horses has been the greatest gift I could’ve ever asked for.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think at the core my art stands for intention, honesty and unwavering respect for the subjects it portrays. It’s about honoring a sense of place, story, and connection.
I am drawn to the unscripted moments that reveal character — whether in the weathered textures of a working ranch horse, the quiet resilience of rural landscapes, or the soulful gaze of an animal.
I try to create narrative-driven photography, where every image holds a sense of narrative — whether documenting people, animals, or landscapes — offering not just a picture, but a moment with context and emotion. Because of my fine art background I use my instinct for light, color, and composition, giving my photography a refined, timeless quality.
I think we all reach moments where life can feel heavy, where the path isn’t clear, and where the easy option is to let everything go. And sometimes, walking away is the bravest, healthiest thing you can do. But other times, it’s the quiet reminder of why you started, the spark that made you care, that deserves to be held onto.

I believe in checking in with yourself honestly: Is this still aligned with who I am and what I value? Does it still light something in me, even if it’s faint right now? If the answer is yes, even in the smallest way, then keep going. Not because it’s easy, not because it’s guaranteed, but because anything meaningful carries a certain weight.
I also believe in taking breaks. I am not a big fan of hustling and grinding and pushing through anything. When you are unsure of whether to keep going or to give up, take a break, care for yourself, and pick back up where you left when you are ready.
The biggest lessons I’ve learned? Connection is everything. Hustle culture is overrated. Your work will find its people when it’s honest. And risk isn’t about recklessness — it’s about alignment, about trusting your gut when the path isn’t clear but something in you knows it’s worth chasing.

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?
I’m not a city person, but I’d take her on a trip through the mountain towns. Probably starting in Minturn, because it’s a cool little town with local shops, the amphitheater by the river and the historic Minturn Saloon with amazing food. Actually Minturn has so many great restaurants, that’s one of the things I love about living here, that and that it’s so small and you know people passing by on the street. Next, I would probably take her up Highway 131 towards Steamboat, it’s a rural road and it’s a really beautiful drive. I love the Town of Steamboat with the visible western heritage, local shops and restaurants, and art galleries. My go to spot here would be the Strawberry Hot Springs and staying in their rustic cabin. It’s so much fun there. From there I might head down south to Ridgway and Telluride. Ridgway has an amazing Taco place. You can see I plan my trips around food, ha! Telluride is definitely on my list, such a stunning mountain town, and I love the local bookstore there. There we’d probably venture up to Trout Lake to cool off. And lastly I’d take her to see Mesa Verde because it’s such a unique spot to learn about the cultural heritage our State has to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Honestly, my success isn’t mine alone — it belongs to the people and moments that shaped me along the way. The American Horse Publications Award played a huge role in opening doors I didn’t even know existed. That experience connected me with editors, mentors, and creatives who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. It was through these connections I got my first editorial piece, in both photo and text, about the National Horse Fair in Golegã, Portugal. I also credit the early days of saying yes to nearly everything, I saw opportunity in nearly every interaction — and I believe that mindset is what propelled me forward so quickly.

Attending Tony Stromberg’s workshop gave me the opportunity to photograph horses and places I never would’ve had access to on my own. It opened doors to new experiences, deepened my connection to the work, and showed me what was possible when you surround yourself with people who share your passion.

It’s been a beautiful mix of opportunity, community, risk, and a stubborn refusal to build anything that wasn’t authentic.

Website: https://www.biancamccartyphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biancamccarty_equinephoto

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BiancaMcCartyEquinePhoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@biancamccartyequinephotogr6941

Image Credits
The personal photo is @Grace Hubbard

All other photos are @Bianca McCarty