Introduction: So, You Want to Be an Equine Photographer?
Look at you! Diving into the magical (and sometimes chaotic) world of equine photography. Trust me, I’ve been there—knee-deep in mud, covered in slobber, camera in hand, and wondering why horses always seem to blink right when you hit the shutter. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to level up your equine photography business, you’re in the right place.
I’ve rounded up the resources, tips, and wisdom (sprinkled with a little snark, of course, since that’s just how we roll here at Ride the Sky Equine Photography) to help you build a thriving equine photography business.
So, grab your favorite beverage of choice — Coffee? Ice water? Margarita? — and let’s get to work.
Horse Photography Workshops: Your Ticket to Mastery
Let’s be honest: you don’t wake up one day and magically become an equine photography expert. It takes time, practice, and a whole lot of learning. Enter horse photography workshops—your chance to up your game, connect with other horse photographers, and capture breathtaking images in real-time.
Whether you’re learning to shoot horses at liberty, perfecting those dreamy portraits, or mastering tricky lighting, workshops offer hands-on experiences that you can’t replicate with a YouTube tutorial. Want to know which horse workshops are worth your time? I’ve got the inside scoop.
Recent Podcasts & Interviews: My Hot Takes
With a background in marketing and having simultaneously run two full-time businesses, I have a lot of thoughts…about a lot of subjects.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of an equine photography business (spoiler alert: it’s not all galloping horses and perfect sunsets), or you are just hearing what I sound like when I’m speaking not writing, you might want to check out some of my recent podcast appearances.
I’ve chatted with some amazing hosts about everything from marketing strategies, branding, equine photography, raising a family while running a business and whatever other subjects happen to cross my mind.
So, if you’re looking for actionable advice mixed with a healthy dose of humor, tune in. Think of them as your roadmap for what to do—and, just as importantly, what not to do. Because trust me, I’ve learned a thing or two the hard way.
Understanding Brand Values with Betsy Bird: The Business Animal Podcast
Laugh, Learn & Pose: Cowgirls with Cameras
Stable Shots: The Focal Points Podcast
Time Management for Super Busy Photographers: The Profitable Photographers Podcast
Reaching your Goals with Betsy Bird: The Business Animal Podcast
Horse Photography Business Tips: Build Your Empire
Running an equine photography business isn’t just about capturing pretty pictures. In fact, you probably only spend about 10-20% of your time actually behind the camera.
You’re also a marketer, a brand strategist, a business owner, and—let’s not sugarcoat it—a professional plate spinner. From creating a killer website to finding your niche and attracting your ideal clients, I’ve written extensively about what it takes to succeed.
Spoiler: It’s not magic. It’s strategy, hard work, and maybe a little (a lot…) of caffeine.
Horse Photography Business: Short Term Goals
Horse Photography Business: Get Legal
Horse Photography Business: Naming your Business
New Horse Photographers: Tips for Success
Charge What You’re Worth: 3 Lessons for Horse Photographers
From Overwhelm to Organized: 8 To Do Tips for Horse Photographers
Aspiring Horse Photographers: Grow your Business with these Tips
In-Person Sales: Make Your Work Count
Let’s talk about the part of the business that photographers either love or dread: in-person sales. It’s not just about making money (though, let’s be real, that’s nice); it’s about helping your clients solve a problem. I’m sharing my best strategies for nailing your in-person sales process so you can increase your revenue without feeling like a pushy salesperson.
Nailing In-Person Sales: Building Confidence for Introverted Horse Photographers
Ready to Level Up Your Equine Photography Business?
Whether you’re dreaming of shooting for top equestrians or just want to book your calendar solid, I’m here to help you make it happen. It’s time to turn that passion into a profitable business.
Want exclusive tips, insider updates, and maybe a laugh or two? Join the Ride the Sky Herd and get it all delivered straight to your inbox. Because building your dream business shouldn’t mean going it alone.
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.