A little about me...
I have been married to my husband Shawn for 9 years this year, and we have the best little girl, Erica Mae, now 6 years old, and now, a sweet little baby boy- Kace Martin Matherly, who just turned onel! Family is very important around here and we bring our little ones most everywhere we go.  We are a very horsey family, with my husband being a farrier and a highly respected natural horsemanship trainer, as well as an avid team roper. (Ranked 1st in MI!) Plus we have a whole barnyard of pets including 5 horses, (One Friesian) a pony named Penny, 3 dogs, and three cats, and a ferret.

I have been a registered nurse for 18 years and I work 3 nights a week on call for Visiting Nurse and Hospice, which I love doing very much. Working nights means I have time to take care of my children during the day, never needing a sitter, and, I have time for my photography which I have such a passion for. I should probably add that I am crazy about Friesians and that is the work I do most of the time.
I have been working as a professional photographer since Sept. 04 when I did my first keuring... extremely part time as I had a baby girl in a stroller at my side!  From then on I just practiced mainly, doing some photos at the Friesian Nationals in California, and wherever I could get some experience.

When my stallion Scout died in April 05', I asked God how I could turn such a tragedy into something positive. Very plainly my answer was: Go and take pictures for other people of their beloved Friesian Horses, and do it for My glory. At my lowest moment I asked for guidance and it was plain to see that the Lord was with me, thru good and bad, and he would help me thru the loss by showing me the gifts I had, and hadn't discovered yet.  I hardly had any photos of my own horse who left the world too young and too soon, and it made me want to give to others what I didn't have of my own Friesian. People sometimes tell me my photos have something different in them, something almost spiritual I have been told. I feel it too, and I know God is showing His work thru me. We all have a purpose and if we just ask for guidance the answer will come. I am thankful that in my loss I also discovered that I had a gift I could share with others.

I began doing mostly Friesian work around Michigan, and then entered the FHANA Professional Division Cover Contest. Well to my surprise I won 1st place and also Honorable Mention. I also was doing some small jumping and dressage shows locally and making enough to pay for my equipment. I then began to travel some and now I do mostly farm shoots for Friesian owners, from stallions to sale horses. I also do some dvd slideshow's to music, and most recently, VIDEO for farms and sale horses too.  My sale videos have given clients huge sucess and I enjoy making them very much as well as the photos. I seem to have an eye for what people like to see and enjoy very much working on these Friesian things in my spare time.

 Now I am working closely with the Friesian Horse Association of North America and helping Friesian owners with new ads and better representation of their farms in the magazine.  Helping with projects whenever I can, I hope to help the Friesian Horse in any way I am able!

I also have another Friesian now which I am very thankful for. His name is Cervantes, and he is a 10 year old gelding. (Ludse x Hearke) He has been a National Champion x 2 yrs with my husbands' training, and we are enjoying having him in or lives.

I know the Lord is directing my work and providing me with many opportunities to grow, and it is because of Him I have the gifts I have been given. Now I can share with others my talents, and maybe make a difference in my own small way. I am amazed all the time when I hear how a picture I took helped someone in a difficult time, or made them read their Bible more. I know I have a purpose that is being carried out and I will continue this with every bone in my body!
It is my hopes that my photos will bring people smiles, laughter, tears, and just pure emotion in the memory. When I am photographing any of my subjects, whether horses or people, I put my whole heart into it and it does show through my work. I have a relaxed sort of style and I try to make it fun. The results have been great and I have many references who will speak highly of my work and my work ethic.
Along my path I have met some wonderful people who have encouraged me and I thank you all sincerely! And I am sure you know, I have only just begun!

Cally Matherly