Part of The Herd: An Interview With Animal Photojournalist Alexis Liohn
by Thomas Machowicz
Photography by Alexis Liohn
“For me, I find it’s important to get close to the people and animals I document in order to capture an intimate and powerful story, however, it's as important to earn that space and do so in an ethical and gentle way for both people and animals.”
- Alexis Liohn
TM: Respect and safety are integral to Alexis’ approach to photographing animals.
Her work as a volunteer at animal rescues and sanctuaries, as well as her undercover work as an animal rights activist is driven, in part, by a hope that her work can inspire others. In this interview, I sit down with Alexis to learn more about her delicate approach to animal photojournalism and the story behind her moving photographs from Saffyre Sanctuary in Los Angeles, California.
TM: What drew you to Saffyre Sanctuary in the first place?
AL: During the COVID-19 pandemic I took an online masterclass by We Animals Media and was inspired by the work of other animal photojournalists and decided to pursue more of this type of work myself.
I chose Saffyre Sanctuary horse rescue in Los Angeles because of their stellar reputation. The founder, Esta Bernstein was gracious and allowed me to visit in January 2022 and I’ve been documenting their work ever since.
TM: What is your approach to photographing the resident horses and human volunteers?
AL: Safety, respect and compassion are paramount. For me, I find it’s important to get close to the people and animals I document in order to capture an intimate and powerful story, however, its as important to earn that space and do so in an ethical and gentle way for both people and animals.
I participated in an orientation meeting to learn about the horses, safety protocol, the rescue and its mission. Most of the Saffyre horses have physical, mental, and emotional disabilities and can startle easily so I always defer to the people at the organization for what is safe and comfortable for the animals.
When I asked the barn manager Nancy for advice on how to approach the horses, she said, "When you enter their stall, can you ask them if you can take their picture?" That was great. Horses are herd animals, highly social and can understand the intonation in our voices and read expressions on our faces.
Animals are just like us, they don’t want to be exploited or used as props, each deserves the same respect and consideration we would want for ourselves. Esta Bernstein says that people need to consider the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of horses. If you go vegan, you help stop the demand of the cattle industry and save domestic and wild horses, in addition to preventing cruelty to all animals.
Observing and understanding body language is important. Esta told me once, "Horses can be just like cats." Their ear positions can indicate if they are tired, depressed, in pain, upset, alert, or attentive. If a horse looks like an angry cat, give them their space.
TM: Why is this picture your favorite?
AL: That day I was filming a woman named Brenda McNorton who was giving Valentino therapy. So she was giving him physical therapy and also laser therapy. He was an Appaloosa horse who was incredibly gentle and seemed very intuitive.
Because he was a police horse for so many years he never had the experience of living with a herd. He had been retired from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department mounted police unit. They deal with riots and a multitude of issues. He lost his sight, he had to have his eye removed and had surgery on his other eye. He also suffered an injury to his front legs. His eye healed, but he always seemed to have recurring issues with his legs and he would get therapy every week, pretty much.
This picture is my favorite because horses, just like donkeys, will wrap their heads around somebody when they like them or when they’re appreciative. And I watched her give Valentino therapy on his legs and she’s so gentle with him and they’ve known each other for a while. He was just appreciating her, and I didn’t capture her face but she was almost leaning in to give him a kiss too.
TM: In the caption of this photo you mention how special it is for a horse to fall asleep in front of someone. I know he was falling asleep in front of his caretaker, but you were also there. How did it feel for him to fall asleep in front of you too?
AL: I just sat there and I was watching Prince and Nancy the volunteer barn manager was just working around him cleaning his stall, giving him fresh water and all of a sudden he started getting sleepy, and she said “I’m so honored that he did that.”
Prince is always very protective and hypervigilant. I guess I didn’t take that in that he felt comfortable with me too. But I’ve always felt good when horses who have been abused, and Prince hasn’t been abused, but when there are horses who have been abused who feel safe enough to lay down, it feels good.
TM: You said you felt close to Valentino, what was it like for you when he passed away?
AL: I took a little bit of his fur that was in the stall. It sounds crazy, I still have it. What I appreciated was that it was very quiet in the days after he passed. I started to cry and the barn manager said “We’ll give you a moment.” I liked that the stall was left open for people to come in and grieve. His harness and brush were still on the bag, people would touch his items. There was something nice about his name being there and there was also a quote on his water bucket that said “I’m Valentino, I’m strong.” It was a positive motivational quote. It was a very difficult, but good moment that allowed the volunteers to come in and feel him. And of course the horses on either side and all the horses knew there was a loss as well.
TM: What’s your relationship with the horses at Saffyre?
AL: I love them.
TM: What do they think of you?
AL: I think they care about me. It took them a little while to trust me, just like the people. I started slow, I didn’t try to just go in right away. Like with Valentino, who’s fragile, or Holly who can get startled. It took time and I had to start slowly.
I think it’s good to let things unfold naturally rather than to push myself on them. I just talked to them and was quiet around them and slowly started to get closer and closer. I had to make sure I didn’t put them in a place where they could trip over something. I like to bring things for them, like watermelon on a hot day or cantaloupe.
They’re my friends so I say hello to them when I take pictures and I say goodbye when I’m leaving them, just like I would another person.
TM: I just want to ask about this last photo because it’s just clear the horse is having fun and I love it. Why did you want to photograph this?
AL: Just to show them playing and being exuberant.
Again, it’s been said that horses are viewed as tools so often. They like to play like dogs, some of them. That’s Casey and he loves to spin this jolly tug ball. He’ll spin it for a long time and it was just a moment in time of seeing him happy. Just being joyful out in the arena. He deflates them, he bites them so we have to order new ones.
To see more photos, follow Alexis on Instagram. Learn more about Saffyre Sanctuary by following them on Instagram and visiting their website.
