Choosing the Right Photography Paper for Horse Portraits Bliss

The Complete Guide to Choosing Photo Paper for Horse Photography

When it comes to creating wall art or timeless prints of your beloved horse, have you ever stopped to consider how the type of photography paper can transform your images? Yep, it’s not just about the pose or the lighting. The paper itself plays a starring role in bringing out the richness of your horse’s coat, the vibrancy of the surroundings, and the overall wow factor of your equestrian portraits.

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of photo paper (yes, fascinating!) and explore how choosing the right option can elevate your horse photography game.

Spoiler alert: It’s not all the same.

Why Photography Paper Matters for Horse Portraits

Imagine this: you’ve invested in a professional horse portrait session. The lighting is dreamy, the angles are perfect, and your horse is serving main-character energy.

But then—gasp!—you print the images on a subpar paper, and the magic is gone. The details fade, the paper warps, the colors dull, and you’re left with something that doesn’t do your majestic equine justice.

Choosing the right Photography paper for horse portraits can make all the difference. Here’s a closer look at your options:

Glossy Paper: The Flashy Show-Off

Glossy paper is like the life of the party—bright, shiny, and hard to ignore. But does it work for horse images? Sometimes. Here’s what you need to know:

Pros:

• Vibrant colors that pop like a firework display.
• Sharp details that make your horse’s mane look silky and smooth.
• Great for bright, happy images with lots of light.

Cons:

• Fingerprint magnet. Touch it once, and it’s game over.
• Reflective glare that can make viewing difficult under certain lighting.
• Tends to stick to glass when framed.

Best For: Showcasing your horse’s energetic personality or capturing vibrant, action-packed scenes.

Matte Paper: The Subtle Sophisticate

If glossy paper is the life of the party, matte paper is the classy introvert. No glare, no fuss, just understated elegance.

Pros:

• Fingerprint-resistant. (Bless.)
• Great for black-and-white or sepia-toned images.
• Creates a soft, fine-art look.

Cons:

• Colors can look muted compared to glossy.
• Doesn’t highlight fine details as sharply.

Best For: Black-and-white portraits or vintage-inspired equestrian images.

Lustre Paper: The Best of Both Worlds

Lustre paper is the Goldilocks of photo paper—just the right amount of shine without going overboard.

Pros:

• Smooth texture with rich blacks and vibrant colors.
• Resistant to fingerprints and scratches.
• Perfect for images that are handled often.

Cons:

• Slightly less vibrant than glossy but more detailed than matte.

Best For: Almost everything. Seriously, this paper is the MVP.

Metallic Paper: The Showstopper

Metallic paper isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s bold, dramatic, and unapologetically extra.

Pros:

• Creates a luxurious, 3D-like effect.
• Vibrant colors that seem to glow from within.
• Incredibly durable and resistant to tearing or curling.

Cons:

• Fingerprints are its nemesis.
• Best used without glass for framing.
• Higher price point.

Best For: Artistic, high-impact portraits or black-and-white images with lots of contrast.

How to Decide

Still wondering which photo paper is best for your horse portraits? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. The right choice depends on your image’s style, purpose, and where it’ll be displayed. Do you want vibrant, gallery-quality wall art or a soft, timeless album? Your photographer should guide you through the decision-making process. At Ride the Sky Equine Photography, I provide hands-on samples so you can see—and feel—the difference before you commit.

Elevate Your Images

Choosing the right type of photography paper isn’t just a detail; it’s a game-changer for your horse portraits. From glossy’s bold vibrancy to matte’s understated elegance, the paper you pick should enhance your images and complement your style. Don’t let your hard-earned equestrian portraits fall flat—literally or figuratively.

Want to learn more about creating wall-worthy horse images? Let’s talk about how we can bring your vision to life.

Not quite ready? No Worries! Join the Ride the Sky Herd and learn more about all the options available to you!

Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP,  of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with Nitro, the best dog ever.  

Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.

Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN). 

Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is also the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has also been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.

Ride the Sky Equine Photography specializes in on-location photography for horses and their equestrians. Ride the Sky Equine Photography is based in Chattanooga, TN and works in Tennessee, North Georgia, and beyond.