If you’re reading this because you booked a session with a photographer for yourself and/or your horse, CONGRATULATIONS!! I understand it’s a financial investment and you might be second-guessing yourself and it’s even a little scary because now the pressure is ON.
But it doesn’t have to be. Relax, this should be fun!
If you’re reading this because you’re considering booking a session for yourself and/or your horse, DO IT! And don’t worry, I’ll start this post at the very beginning.
Finding the ‘Right’ Photographer
The first step in this process is finding the ‘right’ photographer for your needs… including your budget.
Here are some things to consider when browsing websites and social media and making that first phone call or sending that first e-mail:
- Style: When you browse through a photographer’s Instagram or you’re scrolling through their website, do you like their images? Specifically look at the color tones, overall brightness or darkness of their images, whether the colors are muted or vivid… all of that adds up to a photographers “style” and you need to make sure you hire someone who produces images in a style that you like. You cannot hire a photographer who has a dark, muted portfolio presented and expect your images to come back bright and vivid.
- Shoot & Burn or In-Person Sales: Photographer’s business models usually fall into one of two categories – either they are shoot and burn or they do in-person sales. Shoot and burn means you will receive a digital gallery with your final images and you have the right to print and share your images for personal use as much as you please. In-person sales means you purchase photos individually from the photographer as prints and/or digitals (there is usually a “session fee” associated with this kind of business model that may or may not include a product credit). You need to decide which business model works for you and your budget.
- Horse Experience: There are so many fabulous photographers out there, but not all of them know what you know – horses are difficult to photograph. You need to make sure the photographer you choose has experience and/or knowledge about what makes a good horse picture (ears, positioning, angles, conformation, etc.).
You’ve Booked a Photographer! Now What?
It’s time to plan!
First, make sure you and your photographer are on the same page. They should be able to tell you approximately how long your session will be and how many outfits/horses can generally be included during that time frame.
For example, my sessions are usually 1 – 1.5 hours and we can easily do three outfits and 2-3 horses during that time without feeling rushed. I guarantee galleries will have at least 30 completely edited, high resolution images. The actual number of delivered photos varies, depending on how cooperative all parties are feeling (horses are like toddlers, you have to be patient and hope for the best!).
Talk to your photographer to nail down a location and plan your outfits. For my sessions, I usually recommend three outfits: one casual/comfortable/how you would normally ride (for my Western girls, this is usually boots, belt, jeans, button-up shirt, cowboy hat but maybe more jewelry than normal), one dressy (literally, dress or skirt) and one that is just YOU, even if it’s something you would never normally wear around your horses.
I personally don’t pay too much attention to the color of the horse and the colors in the outfits and I love pops of bright color. But, if you want to take a peek at the color wheel below, go for it!
What Should My Horse Wear?
Again, talk to your photographer about what you want/expect and what they recommend.
If you want some photos to be bareback and some photos to be saddled, probably start with the bareback because you don’t want sweat or saddle marks in your bareback photo.
If you are going to use a halter rather than a bridle/headstall, choose halters that don’t take away from the big picture… consider neutral colors or colors that coordinate well with your outfit and make sure the halters themselves are in good shape and clean.
However, I would recommend using your headstall/bridle because it often gives a more finished look to your photos.
Prepare
This is so important. Because chances are you will not be happy if your horse has dirt streaks running down his side in all of the photos.
I’ve always heard “prepare your horse and yourself as if you were going to show.” Which is probably true! But I have never shown. So basically, make sure you and your horse are looking your best… clean and all dolled up!
Just like with any professional photo session, this is not the time to try a new hairstyle. If you think you want to make a change, either do it well ahead of your session so you can book a “fix it” appointment if necessary, or wait until after your session just to be safe. Also, pay attention to the little details like your nails and eyebrows and your horse’s (and maybe your own…? eye boogers).
Don’t forget to clean your tack!
Relax and Have Fun!
This is another one of those “memories” you are making with your horse. Enjoy it!
