Capturing More Than a Face: The Spirit Within a Portrait
- Gundi MG
- Aug 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Photography is the art of frozen time… the ability to store emotion and feelings within a frame - Meshack Otieno
A genuine portrait is more than a resemblance, it is a reflection of personality and connection. It’s a way of revealing and preserving the spirit, beauty, and personality of a person or an animal - those little quirks and expressions that make them who they are. Whether it’s a happy and proud graduate, a horse with a spirited presence, or a dog with soulful eyes, photography has the power to freeze those fleeting qualities so they can be remembered forever. A photograph is a pause button for memory, a way to hold onto the moments that would otherwise slip away in time. When it comes to the people and animals we share our lives with, that pause becomes priceless. People, horses, dogs, cats - they don’t just live alongside us. They live with us, as our companions, our partners, our family!
What the Spirit within a Portrait really means
The most treasured photographs aren’t always the perfectly posed ones - they’re the ones that capture that look: the exact expression that makes a horse your horse, a dog your dog, or a loved one instantly recognizable as themselves. Think of a proud graduate’s confident smile, the sparkle of mischief in a puppy’s face, or the gentle strength in a horses eyes. Clients often tell me those are the images they cherish most, because they show personality as much as appearance. Each portrait becomes a story frozen in time, a reflection of who they were in that moment. These images are not just beautiful - they are deeply meaningful. I’m not just taking a picture, I am capturing the spirit within a Portrait - preserving trust, loyalty, joy, and love - emotions too big for words but beautifully expressed in a single frame.
Beyond the Ordinary Snapshot
Anyone can take a quick photo of their loved one at the family bbq, their horse in the paddock or their dog curled up on the couch. A professional portrait goes deeper. It’s about noticing the emotion in their eyes, the meaningful tilt of a head, the sass and playfulness in a stance, or the pure devotion in a gaze. These details tell us about who we and our furry companions are, not just what we look like.
Why it matters
Life moves quickly. Children grow, animals age, and moments of connection pass faster than we realize. Photography allows us to hold onto those moments - whether it’s the bond between a person and their horse, the celebration of a milestone, or simply the beauty of an animal being itself.
For me, that’s the true meaning of photography: not just creating a pretty picture, but preserving spirit, character, and love in a way that will last for generations. When you look at a photograph years from now, I hope you will not only see a face, but feel the personality, spirit, and story of the person or animal in front of the lens. Because one day, long after the kids have grown up and their laughter no longer rings through the house, when muddy paws no longer patter across the floor and hoofbeats have faded from the pasture, these portraits will mean everything.
Your Moment, Your Story, Your Portrait
Every picture tells a story, let me create beautiful, timeless portrait for you that tells yours. To learn more or to book your session visit https://www.picturedbygmg.com/ or contact me at pictbygmg@gmail.com
About the Artist behind the lens:
Gundi Manteufel-Grajciar of Pictured by GMG, based in Grunthal, Manitoba, is a professional photographer specializing in equine and canine portraiture. With a deep love for animals - especially horses and dogs - she creates images that highlight their beauty, personality, and the special bond they share with their humans.
Gundi is a national accredited member of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC), she is
holding five accreditations to date (2025), including Equine and Canine Portrait, and has earned the Craftsman of Photographic Arts (CPA) designation. She brings both technical expertise and heartfelt storytelling to every session. Her work has been recognized at regional and national image competitions, published in a magazine as well as in a book, and as a PPOC Certified Judge, she is committed to excellence, education, and ongoing growth in her craft.
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