Hi Michelle!
Yes now I know who you are! I had lost your post on WC about the photography but just went back and found it...you had a couple of more questions that I hadn't seen (sorry!). You are an awesome artist!!
You had asked about the equipment I use, maybe you have figured that out but if not I use the canon 20D and MKII. Lenses are tamron 28-75 2.8, and the canons 70-200 2.8, 200 1.8 and 300 2.8. I just last week got my first lighting equipment (alien bees) and am having a lot of fun!
One thing that surprised me as well when I first got on some photography forums to learn this stuff, was some of the photographers who scold the newbies for wanting to buy nice stuff. (???) I still don't get that...wasn't asking their permission or their advice on whether or not I should spend my money, didn't see how that was any of their business (thusly, I am not married LOL my dog is always happy for me when I buy a new lens!
) but just asking questions, trying to learn. That is why I like this forum you don't see that attitude here. A little over a year ago I knew nothing about photography. I could have learned on cheaper equipment but it was easier to learn on the good stuff and I have no regrets for buying what I did. Now I have most of it paid for by doing photo shoots, events and farm shoots (and if I add in the art I've made and sold from the photos I've taken, everything IS paid for) and I plan to do shoots with the new lighting equipment as well, at least until it is paid for and then I can only do shoots when I want to, I really want to experiment with artsy things.
I have gotten awesome shots of horses and dogs this year at farms and friends, that I will be painting from (the Friesian running on the beach I've been posting on WC is one, if I had not gotten this camera equipment, I never would have had these reference photos to paint that which is my goal in the end. My cousin and I went to the beach for 2 days with her Friesian gelding and Andalusian mare, and I took a ton of photos).
So don't let anyone tell you you can't do this. It's not easy but you can work your way up. I have tons to learn yet too and have learned a lot on this forum.
Would you mind if I took one or two of your photos above and did some photoshopping?