Let’s tackle one of the most popular questions I hear during pre-session chats: “How long does a horse portrait session take?”
The short answer? It depends. The long answer? Well, it’s all about your horse, your vision, and a sprinkling of patience. Spoiler Alert: your horse’s mood will be the boss of us all.
It’s All About Your Horse
Let’s be honest: horses are majestic creatures—until they’re not.
They have good days, bad days, and days where they’re convinced the tree stump in their pasture is a horse-eating monster or the 6 inch puddle is filled with sharks.
Some horses warm up to the camera in 30 minutes, while others take their sweet time deciding if we’re worthy of their attention. (We are, by the way.)
Their personalities drive the timeline. Is your horse a diva who loves the spotlight? Fabulous—we’ll have stunning images in no time. Is your gelding a little skeptical about the whole “posing” thing? No problem. We’ll sweet-talk, bribe with treats, and work on their schedule. It’s their day to shine, after all.
What Are We Capturing?
Now let’s talk about you. Are you dreaming of a single, show-stopping portrait to grace your living room wall? Or are we creating a collection of images for an album that tells the full story of your horse’s personality?
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Statement Pieces: If we’re going for one or two key shots, the session can wrap up faster.
- Collages or Albums: Multiple poses, locations, and maybe even outfit changes (yours, not the horse’s—though I’m open to suggestions).
The more variety you want, the more time we’ll need. And trust me, it’s worth every minute.
How Many Horses Are We Talking?
Got one horse? Easy enough. Two horses? Twice the fun. Three or more? Better bring snacks (for you and the horses). Each horse deserves their time in the spotlight, which means more time spent coaxing, posing, and capturing their unique personalities.
I should also point out that it is a frequent request here at Ride the Sky to include other animals with the horses. I’ve photographed cows, goats, chickens, dogs, cats, donkeys, and a few others. So, whenever you add other animals, it can affect the length of time needed.
What Kind of Images Are We Taking?
A relaxed, natural moment of your horse grazing in the field is quicker to capture than a formal black-background portrait. Horse at Liberty images —where your horse is galloping majestically across a field—may take extra time to set up and execute.
Each setup has its own timeline, and I’m here for all of it. Your vision is what matters most.
The No-Rush Philosophy
Here’s the thing: I don’t rush.
Horses pick up on stress faster than you can say, “smile for the camera,” and that’s not the energy we’re bringing to this session. I schedule sessions with plenty of buffer time so your horse (and you) can relax and enjoy the process. Expect lots of sweet-talking, treats, and the occasional horsey kiss. After all, this is their big day, and they deserve to feel like the star they are.
FAQs: Your Horse Portrait Session Questions Answered
Q1: What if my horse doesn’t cooperate? No worries! We take our time, build trust, and let your horse set the pace. Patience and treats work wonders.
Q2: Can I include more than one horse? Absolutely! Just keep in mind that each additional horse adds time to the session.
Q3: Do you offer black-background portraits? Yes, and they’re stunning! These require extra setup but deliver a dramatic and timeless look.
Q4: What should I wear for my horse portrait session? Wear something you love and feel comfortable in. Need inspiration? Check out some of our other blogs related to style and outfits!
Ready to Book Your Horse Portrait Session?
Let’s tell the story of your horse in images you’ll treasure forever.
Still have questions? Join the Herd to get more blog posts, tips, and ideas to make your equine photography experience unforgettable!
Betsy Bird of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make horses look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. When she’s not acting like a total goofball, she’s mentoring photographers, wrangling teenagers, or hanging with Derby, hanging out with Derby, the new puppy who is currently training to be office assistant (jury’s still out on whether “chewing cords” counts as professional development).
Betsy is an award-winning equine and pet photographer based in Chattanooga, TN, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and is the current President-Elect of the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). Her work has been published nationally and is found in barns and homes across the U.S. Ride the Sky is creates heirloom artwork for horses and their humans.