Horse & Rider Prep Guide
Welcome to your complimentary prep guide for your Horse & Rider Session! The personal tips and tricks below are ones I have learned over many years of photographing horses, and following this guide will ensure your photoshoot will be an enjoyable success, resulting in stunning artwork created from your own horse’s beauty.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND…
I can work limited magic in post production, but any additional touch ups you request may be accompanied by a charge per image. For best results, please follow the recommendations provided in this guide.
The set up
Horse & Rider sessions are scheduled for sunrise or sunset and are completed throughout the farm’s property. If there are specific areas on property you would like to use during your session, spend time with your horse in those areas so they are comfortable in the chosen setting.
Please ensure you are wearing seasonal clothing with proper footwear, and that your horse’s tack is properly fitted. This will allow both you and your horse to be comfortable and safe throughout the session. For best wardrobe tips, refer to the WHAT TO WEAR GUIDE.
What is “at liberty?”
This is when we allow the horse to move freely throughout an outdoor arena or pasture, photographing the horse trotting and cantering in both directions. These photographs can also be achieved by lunging a horse, with the lunge line removed in post production.
Have a second hand
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to have a second hand available! It is a HUGE help to have a horse knowledgeable friend, family member or your trainer available to assist in handling your horses, coaching you through under saddle movement, or retrieving additional items needed (tack/clothing changes, fly spray, etc.). This allows me to continually photograph and capture the ideal images that I will not be able to capture if I am the one assisting.
If you are including 2+ horses and/or dogs into your photoshoot, please plan to have an additional hand there to assist with your animals. This ensures we keep YOU + your animals all safe and presenting positive body language throughout the session.
Grooming and clean tack
The better your horse looks, the better the images will be!
BATHE (and DRY) your horse prior to your session. A dirty, dusty, or wet coat will show in the images and can not be recovered in post production.
CLIP your horse (if needed) should be done no sooner than 7 days prior to your session. This allows your horse’s coat to grow out, and the clipping lines to fade together.
TRIM up the ear fuzz, clip bridal paths, spray down any crinkled tails from being bagged, and apply hoof polish after hooves have been picked and bell boots removed.
TOUCH UP your horse’s eyes, dust or dirt out of their nose with a spare rag, and keep a rag handy to use for slobber from treats enjoyed during the session.
BRAIDED or BANDED manes are highly recommended if you are looking for an elevated look or additional patterns to your images. If you horse has a long mane or they are enjoying the retirement years, feel free to leave it natural.
CLEAN & OIL TACK the night before your session (this includes saddle pads, bits, polo wraps, and bell boots.). Leather bridles or halters are required for portraits, but if you do not own leather halter or bridle, my “Naked Halter” can be used in it’s place - granted the horse is presenting safe behaviors the day of your session. (See below for explanation.)
Please have on hand a clean lead rope without a chain. Chains will distract and clutter a photograph and will not be removed in post production.
FLY SPRAY your horse prior to your session and please have an extra fly spray handy incase we need to reapply. This will keep the horse settled and the bugs at bay!
CLEAN & OIL TACK the night before your session (this includes saddle pads, bits, polo wraps, and bell boots.). Leather bridles or halters are required for portraits, but if you do not own leather halter or bridle, my “Naked Halter” can be used in it’s place - granted the horse is presenting safe behaviors the day of your session. (See below for explanation.)
Please have on hand a clean lead rope without a chain. Chains will distract and clutter a photograph and will not be removed in post production.
FLY SPRAY your horse prior to your session and please have an extra fly spray handy incase we need to reapply. This will keep the horse settled and the bugs at bay!
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Don’t hesitate to reach out! I am looking forward to our upcoming photoshoot and can not wait to make beautiful images with you!
What’s included
Horse & Rider Sessions have the flexibility to include photographs of you and your horse(s) candidly through portraits on the ground, action under saddle, or photographs of just your horse through portraits, full body conformation shots, or your horse at liberty. The larger your package, the more variety of images we will have time to capture. Please think ahead and choose which option is most important to you!
