When you’re planning a liberty portrait session, the last thing you want is stress—and trust me, your horse feels the same way. Don’t worry—I’ve got your back (and your horse’s too)!
Let’s go through some simple, practical tips to make sure your horse is ready for the big day, so you can both relax and have fun.
Who are Horse at Liberty Portraits for?
If you are the type of person who hates the idea of being in photos but you LOVE the idea of having images of your horse for the walls of your home, a horse at liberty portrait session might just be the perfect thing for you.
Horse at liberty portrait sessions are perfect for any of the following:
- People who love a natural feel to their images
- Those who want to capture candid moments of your horse acting like themselves
- If the idea of being in pictures with your horse makes you want to cringe
- If you like the idea of having unique and custom wall art of the animals you love
Why Preparation Matters (Even When It’s Unscripted)
The beauty of a liberty portrait session is that it captures your horse’s natural grace and personality in the moment. But even with all that spontaneity, a little preparation can help make sure your horse feels comfortable and looks amazing in their images. As they say, a little bit of preparation goes a long way!
Grooming: Shine Like the Star You Are
Let’s be honest—your horse deserves the royal treatment before their session. The more grooming you do, the better your horse will look in the final images. Having dirt in the coat can make it look dull.
Now, as your horse is going to be out in a field, you don’t need to worry about banding or braiding. You want a nice natural look. But, that doesn’t mean you should skimp on the grooming.
- Give them a bath
- Clean up manes and tails and make sure they are snarl-free. We want them flowing in the wind.
- Clean up the hooves. They don’t need polish but they should be clean.
- Wipe their nostrils, muzzle, and eyes so they don’t have any eye boogies or snot.
You want your horse to look clean and polished, but not like they’ve just are walking into an A rated show ring. Think natural beauty, not runway model.
Feeding Schedule: Timing Is Everything
Just like us, horses get a bit cranky when they’re hungry (or is that just me?). If their session is during (or close to) their normal eating time, feed them half of their usual amount. We want them sated but still interested in food. A happy horse makes for much better photos, trust me.
Don’t Burn Off Energy: Catch the Magic in the Moment
Now, here’s something that surprises many people—I don’t want you to tire out your horse before the session. In fact, I often want to be there right when you let them go in the field for the first time that day. That first burst of energy? Usually, it’s pure magic. I said usually…
Funny story: I once showed up ready to capture a friend’s horse galloping full speed from the gate… only for the horse to casually saunter about 3 feet and roll in the dirt. So yeah, we’re prepared for anything—whether it’s majestic flying manes or an impromptu dirt bath!
Pro tip: If your horse is usually in a large field, it’s better to use a smaller area or a section of the field for the session. This helps keep your horse more contained, allowing me to focus on their movements instead of chasing them all over the place.
Comfort First: Set the Mood Right
To make sure your horse feels like the star they are, let’s keep them comfortable. How? By choosing a familiar environment. If he’s comfortable, he’s going to be more relaxed and happy.
Also, let’s photograph at the time he’s most active. For example, if your horse is normally outside in the evening and in a stall all day, photographing him in the evening when he’s got that burst of energy to get out into the fields. However, if he is normally in a stall overnight, and in the fields during the day, photographing him in the morning might be a better fit.
After the session, remember to reward your horse with some love and treats. This ensures they finish on a high note, and let’s be real, who doesn’t love a treat after a job well done?
Download Your Horse Prep Checklist
Want to make sure you’ve got everything covered?
Download the checklist to prepare your horse for their liberty session and check it off as you go. Some of the items of the checklist might not apply to a horse at liberty session (for example anything related to you!) but it will give you guidance of what to pay attention to with your horse.
Also, don’t miss out on more tips and behind-the-scenes stories! Join the herd to get expert advice, session guides, and inspiration sent straight to your inbox.
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.