British photographic artist Esther Towler reflects on the displacement of nature: from the disappearing semi-wild Fell ponies of Cumbria to the wildlife-rich brownfield quarry on her own doorstep in Newhey, Lancashire. A personal meditation on wildness, rare native breeds, and why bearing witness matters.

Lancashire-based fine art photographer Esther Towler shares the story behind Wild Hearts — a six-year journey photographing Britain's rare native horse breeds.

To photograph the Hackney for my Wild Hearts book project about rare native equine breeds was to witness a living poem, a symphony of movement etched in muscle and light. It wasn't simply a task; it was a pilgrimage into the heart of elegance. My lens became a portal, transporting me into a realm where beauty reigned supreme.

I began to photograph the things that brought me joy, from rays of light on water to barren vast landscapes. I photographed from the heart with no constraints or rules of photography in my head. I began to see photography as a time capsule, freeze-framing beautiful moments to enjoy when I needed them the most.  The time I spent photographing from the heart with no agenda has played an important part in where I am today in my art career. Read more about my photography journey in this blog post.