Prepping your companion
When it comes to preparing for your horse's portraits the amount of preparation is completely up to you, but there are several suggestions because a camera sees everything. I say clean your horse up as if you were walking into the most important class of your life!
HORSE PREP CHECKLIST
Brushed down head to toe
Completely dry, if you plan on giving your horse a bath give them enough time to dry! You don’t want to miss that beautiful golden hour sunset because everyone was waiting for that wet spot under their belly!
Green spots removed
Mane and forelock brushed straight
Tail brushed out
Nose, mouth, and eyes wiped clean (bring a rag along with you!)
If you oil your horse’s nose and ears use half of what you normally would for the show ring! Shiny things stand out on camera!
Avoid makeup on your horse, especially black! Guess what color is going to end up on your dress when they have an itch? XD
Brush hooves down instead of using hoof polish because it can trap the dirt!
Bridle or halter wiped down and clean (always choose leather for halters!)
Bit shiny and wiped
Now, If you are among the many guys or gals that haven’t done a photoshoot with their equine partner, let’s chat about some details you want to plan out! You are going to want to maximize every minute and make sure that you and your horse truly enjoy the experience (and the photos that will be captured!)
Get Ready Early… but not too early
Odds are your photographer (that’s me!) gave you a specific start time for the best lighting possible and trust me it’s for good reason! Too many times girls will get to the barn 2 or 3 hours early to their session to clean up their horse. By the time I arrive your horse is ready to go home and eat dinner. This leads to a very cranky pony during your session! I encourage riders to try to ride like any other normal day in the morning and give a bath immediately after so your horse has some time to decompress, eat some food, and come out with their best model faces on after a quick touch up when you come back!
Make sure to let them eat
Most photographers are photographing at sunset or later in the evening at golden hour which of course is always during feeding times. Make sure to let your trainer/ barn manager know that your companion may need an early dinner or a mid-afternoon snack.
LUNGE YOUR HORSE
At the bare minimum make sure you work your horse… excessively the day of your session. I always joke “the horses you think will be the best are the worst, and the worst horses are the best for photos.” If you don’t have time to ride, try to find time to lunge them a good amount so they are nice and quiet for their session. It makes posing way easier and the entire experience less stressful for everyone involved!
Ask a trainer, groom, or friend who knows your horse to come along
Remember, the photographer is not there to help handle your horse (though I will do my best – I will have a camera and other gear that will keep my hands busy). If you envision a dream shoot and don’t think you and your horse are ready for it on your own, ask your trainer for their opinion or if they can tag along. Someone who knows your horse and how they’re reacting to a situation will be able to give suggestions or maybe a firm reminder who is boss ;)
Be Realistic
I know galloping bareback down the beach sounds like it would make for some amazing photos, but if you have never taken your horse to the beach or ridden bareback your photoshoot is not the time to give it a go! The same goes for possible shoot locations at the barn. If there are areas you think would make for great photos, be sure to hand walk your horse there frequently. Horses photograph better in situations they are comfortable in!
Above all else, don’t stress too much and have fun! Trust me, no photographer expects you to be an experienced model or your horse to stand still the entire time. Odds are I’ve seen it all and know how to get the perfect shot
EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!
I am absolutely going to capture something you love!
“The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and freedom”
