The Irish midlands is a region rich in many forms of creative talent, and one such example is equestrian and pet photographer Aisling Deverell.

A lifelong passion for both animals and photography led to Aisling setting up her successful Tullamore-based business, which specialises in portrait photography shoots for clients and their furry friends.

Aisling also works in event photography, capturing special moments at assorted horse shows both for herself and for larger companies such as Jumpinaction and Bit Media.

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Aisling is based at the well known midlands equestrian centre Annaharvey Farm, with her husband Sam and their daughter Maeve. All three are accomplished and successful equestrians, and horses have featured heavily throughout all of their lives.

“I am told that the first time I sat on a pony was on Kilkee beach, when I was a young child. From then on, I was hooked!” Aisling laughs.

“I came up through the Offaly Pony Club, almost always on borrowed ponies. From school, I moved to Limerick University and undertook their four year equine science degree programme.

"I was lucky enough to make it on to the student rider team, and I had many fantastic experiences. In my first year, the team competed in Bonn, Germany. In my second year, we travelled to New York. In my third year, we went to Vienna.

"I was meant to compete again in my final year, but I thought I had better do a bit of studying instead!”

Nannying youngsters

Aisling bought her first horse when she was 21 years old. Bred by the O’Carrolls in Clonbullogue, Skukuzu proved to be an outstanding equine partner. Together, horse and rider did everything together, but eventing proved to be the discipline in which they shone.

“He went all the way to CCI 3* level – he was such a good competition horse. He is still here with us now, nannying youngsters in his retirement.”

After graduating from college, Aisling worked in the Wetherbys DNA Laboratory for a number of years. From there, she moved to managing the riding school at Annaharvey, and then began working as a lecturer in the equine unit at Gurteen Agricultural College.

After 12 years of helping to shape and educate many students, Aisling returned to Wetherbys as a team leader in genotyping. Eventually she decided to base herself full time at Annaharvey, and she now divides her time between photography and coaching.

Aisling holds a Horse Sport Ireland level two coaching qualification, a BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach qualification, a first class honours degree in Equine Science, and a wealth of experience producing and competing horses.

Podium success

Sam and Aisling’s daughter Maeve is making her own mark on the European youth dressage scene, riding a home-bred horse called Annaharvey Dunowen. This eye catching horse was produced by Aisling, before Maeve took up the reins.

In 2023, Maeve was the first Irish female representative for Children on Horses (COH) at the FEI Dressage European Championships for Children and Juniors, at Kronberg in Germany. Dunowen and Maeve also enjoyed podium success at the All England Dressage Festival at Hickstead, earlier in the year.

Aisling is currently competing another home-bred and home-produced horse called Annaharvey Firefly. Horse and rider are aiming to compete at the Dressage Ireland National Championships this coming September, which will be held in Mullingar.

Good grounding

Alongside her passion for horses sits Aisling’s love for photography. “I remember being eight or nine years old, at the Eventing European Championships in Punchestown. My dad handed me his camera, and proceeded to explain to me how to use it.

I got a good grounding from the beginning, and I have never been far away from a camera since.” Aisling is a licentiate member of the Irish Professional Photographer and Videographers Association.

In 2023, she submitted five photographs to the summer 2023-2024 IPPVA awards. To her delight, all five submissions won awards in their respective categories. “I was thrilled. I had heard that the judging is very tough, and so I had no big expectations. For all five images to be rewarded was such a boost.”

Aisling particularly enjoys animal portrait photography. “I never had any real desire to photograph humans. Weddings and celebratory events held no appeal, but I have always loved taking photographs of horses and other animals.

"I very much enjoy the editing side too, I can really use my creativity to capture special moments and unique images.”

2023 has been a whirlwind for the Deverell family, and I asked Aisling what’s next. “I hope to continue to grow the portrait photography side of my business, and I will keep combining that with my busy coaching schedule.

"In September, Dunowen and Firefly will go to the National Championships, and then Maeve is hoping to play hockey for the winter. There’s never a dull moment!”