Sarah Waters wants to keep wild horses wild.

That is why the Lake Oswego woman is using her photography skills in a campaign that is dear to American horse lovers: stopping the decline in the number of wild horses roaming the American range. Using a 400-millimeter lens and good timing, Waters has taken some remarkable shots of Kiger mustangs in Oregon and Washington.

All of these photos capture the breathless beauty of the mustangs, but one of them has a touch of humor. In this one, a quartet of Kigers look like they are posing for a group photo.

“I love to see wild horses running free,” Waters said. “If I could create sanctuaries for wild horses, I would do it in a heartbeat. That would take huge resources and a lifetime commitment.”

But Waters is doing the best she can with her camera, having her photos displayed in galleries in New York and Astoria, Ore. She intends to have the photos shown in many more galleries.

“My goal is to photograph the Kiger mustangs and spread the word about what is happening to them,” Waters said. “I am working towards creating a product-based site with funds to both continue my work and help the cause.

“If I do my part I can help nonprofits and tell their stories. That’s what I would love to do.”

Waters figures she owes a lot to horses. One of her favorite childhood activities was riding horses in her native Menlo Park, Calif. But beyond providing fun, horses did a lot more for Waters.