The dust settles on a long, remote dirt road, miles from the nearest town. For lifelong photographer Lisa, this is exactly where she wants to be. After years of capturing images, she found her true calling in the wild, dedicating her lens to the incredible wild horse herds roaming the public lands of Utah and Wyoming.
But with breathtaking isolation comes a harsh reality: when you are solo camping and navigating the backcountry, you are your own first line of defense.
For Lisa, the decision to pursue wilderness safety training wasn’t sparked by one dramatic emergency. Instead, it came from an accumulation of small moments that revealed just how unpredictable the outdoors can be. Between an afternoon where she accidentally kneeled directly onto a cactus—sending spikes through her pants and into her knee—and the reality that situations around wild animals can change in an instant, it became clear that a simple band-aid wasn’t going to cut it when professional help is hours away.
Stepping into a Wilderness First Aid class completely shifted her perspective on outdoor preparedness. Rather than memorizing rules, Lisa learned practical wilderness wound care, including how to properly clean and dress injuries in the field. More importantly, the training gave her the confidence and situational awareness to respond calmly if something went wrong—not only for herself, but for fellow outdoor enthusiasts she might encounter along the way.
Throughout the course, one message continued to resonate: knowledge is power. Having the right training removes the blind panic from an emergency. Knowing what to do—and just as importantly, what not to do—can transform fear into focused, effective action.
Today, Lisa heads back out to photograph the herds with a renewed sense of confidence and calm. Whether she’s navigating a rugged dirt road or setting up her tripod along a remote trail, she can stay focused on her art instead of worrying about the “what-ifs.” And for those hoping to catch a glimpse of wild horses closer to home, Lisa recommends keeping an eye on the southern end of Washoe Lake in Nevada, where a herd is often seen roaming the area.
Out there, preparation is more than a skillset—it’s peace of mind. And in the wilderness, knowledge truly is your best defense.
Explore Lisa’s Work
Follow Lisa’s journey and view her stunning wild horse photography:
Instagram: @lisaraniphoto
