Lina: and the Soul of the Icelandic Horse
Few photographers manage to capture the essence of a horse beyond its beauty. Fewer still can tell a story with a single image. German photographer Caroline Geise (@linaimages) , now based in Iceland, has built an international reputation for doing exactly that.
Surrounded by volcanic landscapes, glaciers, rivers, and endless horizons, Lina has dedicated her work to portraying the Icelandic horse in its most authentic form. Her photographs are not merely portraits; they are windows into a world where horse and nature exist in perfect harmony.
In this exclusive interview for Canal del Caballo, “@linaImages” shares her journey from Germany to Iceland, her deep connection with horses, the challenges of photographing in some of the world’s most dramatic, and fantastic environments, and the moments that continue to inspire her behind the camera.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and your journey into photography? What first inspired you to become an equine photographer?
I’m Lina, an internationally published and awarded equine photographer originally from Berlin, Germany, now living in Iceland. Before photography became my profession, I worked in equestrian training for several years, so horses have always been a central part of my life.
Photography started as a creative way to capture the moments and emotions I experienced around horses every day. Over time, that passion grew into a profession, and in 2021 I made the leap to photography full-time.
I’m completely self-taught, and much of what I learned came from being out in the field, photographing horses in real situations rather than controlled settings. Equine photography felt like a natural path because it combines everything I love: horses, storytelling, nature, and the challenge of capturing authentic moments that can never be repeated.
Horses seem to play a central role in your life. When did your relationship with horses begin, and how has it influenced your work as a photographer?
My relationship with horses began in childhood and has been a constant throughout my life ever since. They shaped not only my career choices, but also the way I see the world.
Spending so much time around horses taught me patience, observation, and the importance of genuine connection. Those lessons influence my photography every day. Instead of trying to control a scene, I prefer to observe, wait, and allow moments to unfold naturally.
I think that’s why my work is less about creating perfect photographs and more about capturing honest moments that reveal something real about the horse and its relationship with the world around it.
You moved to Iceland because of your passion for horses. What was it about the Icelandic horse that captivated you so deeply?
I first encountered Icelandic horses as a child and was immediately fascinated by them. They have a unique combination of strength, kindness, character, and beauty that is difficult to describe until you experience it yourself.
After working with Icelandic horses in Germany for many years, I wanted to experience them in their original habitat. Coming to Iceland felt like discovering the missing piece of a puzzle. Seeing them move freely through their native landscape gave me an entirely new appreciation for the breed.
What captivated me most was how naturally they seem to belong to their environment. They are not simply living in Iceland’s landscape – they feel like a part of it.
For readers who may not know the breed well, how would you describe the character and personality of the Icelandic horse?
Icelandic horses are incredibly versatile characters. They are strong, intelligent, curious, and remarkably resilient, but at the same time they are often incredibly gentle and people oriented.
What I find most fascinating is the balance they carry within themselves. They are independent and sure-footed, with very strong instincts that helped them survive for centuries in a demanding environment, yet they are also highly social and enjoy close relationships with both other horses and humans.
That combination of resilience, kindness, and authenticity is what continues to inspire me both as a horsewoman and as a photographer.
Many of your photographs show horses in challenging environments: deep snow, strong winds, volcanic landscapes, or crossing rivers. What do these scenes tell us about the remarkable adaptability and resilience of the breed?
For me, these scenes reveal what makes Icelandic horses so extraordinary. They are not simply surviving in challenging conditions – they truly belong there.
For over a thousand years, they have adapted to Iceland’s unpredictable weather, rough terrain, and long winters. As a result, they developed into horses that are remarkably strong, sure-footed, and resilient, but also incredibly sensible and adaptable.
What always amazes me is the calmness and confidence with which they move through situations that many other horses would find difficult. Whether it is a snowstorm, a glacial river crossing, or strong winds on an exposed mountain trail, they simply accept these conditions, rather than fight them.
As a photographer, those are the moments that inspire me most, because they reveal the true nature of the breed: strength, resilience, and an extraordinary connection to the landscape.
Icelandic horses are often described as small in size but incredibly strong and hardy. In your experience, what makes them so unique compared with other horse breeds?
Their physical strength is certainly impressive, but what stands out to me even more is their mindset.
They are incredibly adaptable, brave, and sensible. They seem to approach challenges with a calm confidence that is rare to find. At the same time, they maintain a softness and willingness to connect and work with people.
Combined with their unique gaits, rich history, and deep connection to Icelandic culture, they are truly unlike any other breed I have worked with.
As a photographer, what is the biggest challenge when working in Iceland’s constantly changing weather and natural conditions?
The weather is definitely the biggest challenge. Conditions can change within minutes, and I’ve experienced everything from bright sunshine to blizzards during the same shoot. At the same time, those conditions are often what creates the atmosphere in my images. The challenge is learning to adapt quickly and work with nature rather than against it, just the way the horses do it. Photographing from horseback, carrying equipment across rough terrain, and making creative decisions in unpredictable situations can be very demanding as well, but I feel it’s always worth it, and the hard work is also what makes it so rewarding.
Your photographs often convey emotion and a sense of freedom. What do you look for when trying to capture the true spirit of a horse?
I look for authenticity above all else.
Rather than focusing solely on appearance, I’m interested in moments that reveal something about the horse’s character: curiosity, trust, playfulness, calmness, strength, or connection to the herd.
Many of my favorite photographs happen when nothing appears to be happening at all. A glance, a movement, the way a horse interacts with its surroundings: those small moments often tell the most meaningful stories – because they are real.
Do you have a particular photograph or photographic experience that holds a special place in your heart? What is the story behind it?
There are a few moments that immediately come to mind.
One image that is particularly meaningful to me was taken during a horse trek in North Iceland while I was riding alongside a large herd crossing a shallow lake. For a short moment, the water became perfectly still and created a mirror beneath the horses as they moved through the landscape in a single line. The timing, weather, light, and movement all aligned for only a few seconds, creating a moment I had dreamed of photographing for years.
Another experience that stays with me was photographing horses during a blizzard. The conditions were incredibly harsh, yet the horses moved through the storm with such calmness and dignity that it felt almost surreal.
And then there was the unforgettable experience of photographing Icelandic horses with an erupting volcano in the background. Standing there, witnessing two of the things that define Iceland so strongly – horses and volcanic environments – felt simply unreal. It was one of those rare moments where you are fully aware that you are witnessing something extraordinary.
All of these experiences remind me why I love photography so much. They are moments that cannot be planned, repeated, or recreated – and that is exactly what makes them so special to me.
Looking ahead, what projects, dreams, or goals would you still like to accomplish, both as a photographer and as a horsewoman?
As a photographer, I would love to continue creating larger personal projects and fine art series that tell deeper stories about horses, nature, and our connection to both. Exhibiting my work internationally and reaching new audiences is something that still excites and motivates me.
As a horsewoman, my goal is actually quite simple: to never stop learning. Horses have a wonderful way of reminding us how much there is still to discover, no matter how much experience we have.
More than any specific achievement, I hope to continue living a life that allows me to combine both passions. To spend my days surrounded by horses, exploring wild places, creating meaningful work, and sharing moments that inspire others to slow down, reconnect with nature, and appreciate the beauty that exists around us in so many places.
Lina’s photography reminds us that great images are not only about technical perfection but about emotion, patience, and connection. Through her lens, the Icelandic horse emerges as more than a breed—it becomes a symbol of resilience, freedom, and harmony with nature.
As she continues to explore Iceland’s wild landscapes in search of those fleeting, unrepeatable moments, Lina invites us to slow down and see the world through a different perspective: one where beauty is found in authenticity, and where horses remain our most powerful link to the natural world.
For horse lovers, photographers, and dreamers alike, her work is a testament to the extraordinary stories that unfold when passion, nature, and artistry come together.
