How to Make Your Horse Portrait Session a Success
Are you looking for tips to make your horse portraits unforgettable? You’re in the right place.
Here’s the deal:
If you want your horse portrait session to be a smashing success, it takes some prep work—a LOT of prep work. This isn’t a spur-of-the-moment selfie kind of event; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capture the bond between you and your horse.
So, let’s make sure it’s done right.
What Not to Do for a Horse Portrait Session
There’s really one major “don’t.”
Don’t grab your horse straight out of a muddy field, throw on a dirty halter, and call it a day.
Trust me, the camera will see everything. Once, a client brought a horse to me straight from the field. On one side, the horse was completely covered in mud—head to tail.
The client said, “You can just Photoshop that out, right?”
Sure, I could.
But extensive editing like that isn’t ideal and can cost extra. Plus, not every photographer is skilled in heavy retouching.
Avoid disappointment by doing the prep work upfront. If you want images that look like they belong on the walls of an equestrian art gallery, preparation is non-negotiable.
The Camera Sees All
When it comes to equine photography tips, remember this: the camera doesn’t miss a thing.
- Dirt spots? Check.
- Grass stains? Check.
- Nose boogies? Check.
- Muddy halters? You bet.
While photographers can edit some imperfections, it takes time and costs money. A viral internet story about a Photoshop fail highlights how poor editing can ruin priceless memories. Let’s not let your session end up as a cautionary tale.
Be proactive. Prep your horse to look its best and save yourself from potential editing mishaps. Remember, these images are an investment and deserve your best effort.
Horse Portrait Prep Checklist
Your investment deserves the best results. That means planning ahead.
Here are some quick tips for success:
- Clean Thoroughly: Make sure your horse is spotless—no mud, stains, or dirt. Take your time to groom every detail.
- Groom the Details: Pay attention to hooves, manes, and tails. A freshly braided mane looks stunning in portraits and adds a touch of elegance.
- Polish Tack: Clean and shine your tack to perfection. Dusty or grimy tack can distract from an otherwise beautiful image.
- Dress the Part: Choose attire that complements your horse and the session theme. Plan your wardrobe as carefully as you prep your horse.
- Mind the Weather: If your session is outdoors, check the forecast and plan accordingly. Weather impacts everything from lighting to your horse’s mood.
Need help with prepping your horse? Consider hiring a horse-savvy helper. They can groom, braid, and get your horse show-ring ready, leaving you free to pamper yourself and look your best.
One Last Thing to Think About
Short on time? Juggling horse and personal prep can feel overwhelming. Why not bring in a pro for grooming, braiding, or even your hair and makeup? It’s worth it to ensure you and your horse are camera-ready.
Ride the Sky Equine Photography has created a session prep checklist just for you. This free guide is packed with tips and tricks to ensure your session goes off without a hitch. Download it today and take the guesswork out of your portraits!
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.