SESSION GUIDE

equine portraiture

horse & rider

HOW TO PREPARE

what to wear

Depending on the session package you choose, you will have to decide on an outfit or multiple outfits for yourself. Ideally, you want to stick to a color theme that flatters both you and your horse. You also want to choose colors that won’t blend into the background too much. Solids are best, as small patterns can get busy or get lost in the image. My best recommendation is going to Pinterest for inspiration! If you have any questions regarding your outfit, feel free to send me a message!

preparing your horse

You will want your horse looking its best. This includes being nicely groomed, clean tack, and a calm and focused horse. Giving your horse some time in its stall to relax or lunging it before the session to get excess energy out will prevent them from being anxious during our session. We want your horse to be expressive in a positive way during your session, not looking frightened. Using a nice halter or bridle for headshots can make the photo complete. If you wish to have a more natural look, use a thin rope halter or cavesson, as these can easily be removed in Photoshop. Having another person there to help you get your horse ready is helpful and always a bonus. This person may even be able to help get the horse’s ears and hold their attention, as I am not always able to bring an assistant to sessions.

posing

You may want to spend some more time on Pinterest looking for different posing ideas you would be interested in doing or trying. There are so many different ideas out there. I recommend keeping these saved on your phone so we can have them for reference during your session. Finding poses you like will help me create photos you love. I may slightly change any poses we try, as it could look weird or awkward from certain angles.

WHAT TO EXPECT

before your session

Before your session time, you want to ensure that both you and your horse are looking your best. All hair, makeup, and outfits need to be done and ready to go. Your horse should be groomed, including any bathing, clipping, braiding, etc. that may need to be done. You want to make sure your horse is dust free and shiny. Any white markings should be clean. Hooves should look nice, but polishing is not required. All tack that will be used during the session should be clean. Your horse should be bridled or haltered before or at the session start time. If you have a package that includes a black background session, make sure the barn aisle is clean and free of clutter. We also want the aisle with the least amount of direct sunlight if possible! Make sure to bring treats or anything else that may get your horse’s attention for photos. Once again, having another person there to help is always beneficial!

during your session

I will plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to discuss any ideas you may have for the session, as well as to get to know you and your horse! We can discuss possible areas at the location that can be used for the background. If your package includes a black background session, we will start with that, as the horse will be most interested at the start of the session. Most horses stay interested in their surroundings for about 15 minutes before they get antsy or impatient. Starting with the black backgrounds allows me to capture the best of your horse, as they are intrigued by their surroundings. Once I feel there is a sufficient amount of quality photos, we will move on to the rest of the session. Changing locations every 15 minutes helps keep your horse interested and focused on the task at hand. Once we conclude our session, I will show you some of my favorites on the back of my camera, as well as collect any information or payment that may be needed.

after your session

Once your session has concluded, I will contact you if I need any information or have any questions regarding the way I edit the photos. I will also be able to give you an estimate on how soon they will be ready. My typical turnaround time is 2-3 weeks, depending on how busy my schedule is and how much editing needs to be done. If you have certain deadlines that need to be met, please let me know in advance so I can plan accordingly!

BLACK BACKGROUNDS

Black backgrounds require a darker background to allow the lighting to be correct for me to edit the photo properly. This is easily obtained by using the end of a barn aisle, preferably without direct sunlight, as it can cause harsh lighting. The aisle should be clear of clutter and look as neat as possible, especially where we will be taking the photos. Having any aisle lights off also helps achieve the dark background we are looking for.

creativity

This type of session allows me to capture portraits of your horse without any distracting backgrounds, as well as any detail or creative shots you may want. For most colored horses, this is a great option and always makes them stand out. Even if your horse is black, it can look gorgeous for a black background shot, as it enhances their facial features.