We started Kirsty’s Equestrian Portrait Session outdoors with just Kirsty. Typically we do two different looks, Kirsty decided to do a dress for her first look and then switch to a western look for her second. The outfit change was complete with a change of tack and all. We wrapped up the session with Kirsty & Bill and their horses, they even hopped on for a few portraits and the portrait of the two of them riding through the field may be one of my favorite portraits! I think every couple that rides horses together would absolutely LOVE to have a portrait like that on their wall. As horse people we can all agree that
Today I am going to share a few tips for portraits and some of the things I have learned over the last 10 years photographing both animals and people.
We had the most beautiful light out in the wooded area in this opening. Leave it to me to always find the most gorgeous light in the scariest place ever (according to most of the horses I photograph), sometimes that works out well, other times we have to move on to plan B. I always recommend my clients take their horses out and show them all of the scary places around the property from wooded areas, fields with tall grass, or even areas around ponds this helps ensure that the day of the session the horses are up for whatever locations we end up in. If we end up in an area away from the barn, we can always have a helper grab another horse and bring another horse along to keep your horse company during the session.
Tip #1: Take your horse on a walk around the property a few times before your portraits take place.
Tip #2. Practice standing still, and being patient while in random places.
You might be thinking, no biggie. My horse will be perfectly find for portraits. The reality is very few of us have taken the time to have our horse stand still in the middle of a random location like a field, or a trail in the woods for longer than 30 seconds. Taking some time before your portrait session happens to practice standing will make the day of your session much less stressful for both you and your horse. The last thing you want is to have to argue with your pony the day of your session about standing still.
Tip #3. RELAX and have fun.
Remember, regardless of what your horse does or doesn’t do during your portrait session…just smile and laugh about it. Your horse only has to stand still for 1/4 of a second for me to capture an amazing portrait. Let them dance, let them move, let them be silly and just laugh because as a horse person we all know that they have their own plans and ideas about the way things should happen, and all we can do is embrace it all and love them through it all. When you see your portraits you will think “WOW! You can’t even tell they were being silly!” and appreciate the magic that happens even more.
