Horse&Rider Portrait Prep Guide
Session Prep Tips
-Make sure your horse is groomed and ready to go at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled session start time. Do your best to ensure your prep process is as calm and stress free for your horse as possible to ensure they are relaxed and not anxious for their session.
-If you bathe your horse, do so early enough that you are certain they will be completely dry for their session. If you have access to a stall I recommend bathing the day before to make sure you don't have any problems getting them dry. If they are damp at all, you will be able to see in pictures so this is very important.
-I recommend using a shine spray on their bodies such as Show Sheen, my favorite is Pepi's Shine Spray. This will help them have that shiny look for their pictures. Also, a tiny dab of Baby Oil or Vaseline on their noses and in their ears can help get rid of any dusty looking areas especially for dark horses. Oh and don’t forget the fly spray to keep the bugs away!
-Their feet will be in some pictures, use a hoof polish if you have access to one that dries and the dirt will not stick such as SuperShine Clear Polish.
-Make sure your horse’s white socks and markings are free to stains. I recommend using baby powder or Shapely’s White Spray.
-If you have multiple horses that are being photographed please ensure they they are all ready to go, and easily accessible prior to the designated session start time.
-Last but not least, if you have had your horse in the cross ties for hours on end getting them ready for their photos, make sure to give them a break in their stall prior to my arrival to allow them to rest and pee if needed. I find that horses that stand in the cross ties for long periods of time before photos tend to be ancy during their portraits.
The Day of Your Session
#1. Dirt & Dust
Ensure your horse is free of dirt, if you bathe your horse make sure they have enough time to dry. Check inside your horse’s ears, nose, and in the folds of their eyes. Look for any spots where their hair may be ruffled up or not laying smooth.
#2. Check their whites
Make sure any white on their legs or face is free of stains. Don’t forget to use Baby Powder or White Spray .
#3. Paint their toes
Ensure your horse’s hooves are clean and free of dirt, I recommend applying a clear polish such as SuperShine Clear Polish.
#4. Mane & Tail
Don’t forget to get those tails combed through and use a shine product on both their mane, tail, and forelock. Also, plan ahead of time, if you need to pull their mane do so a few days before. If your horse’s mane has any fly aways or stands up on end make sure and use bands or a neck wrap to tame their mane for a few days prior to their session if you do not plan on braiding or banding for the pictures.
#5. Make them shine
Preparing your horse for weeks prior to the session by intensive grooming can help with their natural shine. The right shine spray also goes a long way, I recommend Pepi Coat Conditioner. Make sure you don't leave any wet spots. I recommend a small dab of baby oil or vaseline inside of their noses or ears to help darken up those spots that tend to look dusty on dark horses.
#6. Clean your tack
Make sure your tack is clean and free of cracks or major blemishes. Also ensure any bits are clean and polished. I recommend a bridle with a simple bit for pictures. If you are planning on wearing boots for your pictures, make sure they are clean and polished as well.
#7. The Aisle Way
If you added on Black Background Portrait make sure to pick up the barn aisle way. I will set up in the barn aisle way on an end that is free of direct sunlight shining in. Please ensure that the barn aisle way is free of dirt and hay.
#8. be on time
Please make sure to plan enough time for any potential traffic, delays with Hair & Makeup, or any circumstances that may arise. If you arrive late to the session or are not ready to go a the designated time, the session will be cut short as we start 2 hours before sunset and we will run out of light.
Our Top 10 Tips for choosing the perfect look
#1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHAPE
For a slimmer look, form fitting & figure hugging is definitely best. Look for clothes that give you shape or have structure of some sort. Items such as loose sweaters can add extra bulk to your figure.
#2. STICK TO SOLIDS
Avoid patterns as they may detract from your face, subtle designs or accents are ok, just stay away from bold prints.
#3. TEXTURES
Think textures. Textures like lace, ruffles, sequins, or ruching add visual interest to your photos.
#4. LAYERS
Bring a variety of layers to add to your look, layers add interest and dimension to your photos and can be a great way to add structure to your look. Think of a fun jacket or vest.
#5. SLEEVES
Avoid cap sleeves, sleeveless is great for toned arms, 3/4 sleeves are universally flattering and slimming.
#6. NECKLINES
Go for a v-neck or scoop neckline to elongate your next. High neck lines can make your neck appear short in photos.
#7. THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX
Don't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone and choose outfits you may not normally wear in your every day life. Express yourself. Go for GLAM with an epic dress, something unusual and extraordinary.
#8. ACCESSORIZE
Add lots of fun accessories or jewelry for extra interest and dimension in your looks. Go for the fun necklace or earrings, add a hat for a few images, or even a jacket that is extra fun with rhinestones or fringe.
#9. SHOES
Choose shoes that you will be safe walking in fields and uneven ground with your horse. A lace up wedge or ankle boot look great in photos and are great safe shoes around horses. If you are wearing a long dress, your feet may be hidden depending on the dress so that give you some extra freedom.
#10. CHOOSE 2 LOOKS
Our most popular portrait session, our Basic Session, includes enough time for two different looks, where our Petite Session, includes enough time for one look, and our Whimsy Session, includes enough time for three looks.
Most of my clients choose two distinctively different looks, they may do a fun formal glam look with an epic dress for their first look, and an equestrian look for their second.
Outfit Inspiration
We have a Pinterest Board full of inspiration to help you get ideas on what to wear.
Here are some of our favorite boards:
Start Here -> "Themed" Inspiration
Everyday Equestrian Style with A Twist
Clients that are welcome to use dresses from our Client Closet.
Hair & Makeup
I always recommend that my client hire a Hair & Makeup Artist for the day of their portrait session.
5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Hair&Makeup Artist
1. This gives you a chance to sit down and be pampered prior to your photo session, and just relax knowing you will look your best.
2. Know that your Hair&Makeup will last even outside in the elements.
3. Hair&Makeup Artists are freaking amazing. That's right I said it. They have super powers and abilities to make our faces look completely flawless, they also know just how to hi-light our best futures and hide our flaws.
4. I don't know about you, but I curl my hair and some days it falls flat in an instant + there is no way I can do those super fancy braids and pull my hair back like the pro's. I don't know what they do, but they have ways that just make curls last for days.
5. You want to look flawless in your photos right?
Look for Hair&Makeup artists in your area that specialize in weddings, often times they are free during the week for portraits and they do a phenomenal job. You can also contact your local Blow Dry Bar and see what services they offer. Also, ask to see numerous photos from the Hair&Makeup artist you hire so you know what to expect from their work.
Hair&Makeup Tips
-Choose a Hair Style that is partially pulled back or tamed, it can be windy during outdoor portraits and having your hair partially pulled back, or braided to the side helps prevent the "I just stuck my head out of a window" look.
-Don't be afraid of eyelashes. Seriously ladies, fake lashes are your friends for portraits and really make your eyes pop.
-Typically makeup for portraits may seem like more makeup than you normally wear, but keep in mind that our portraits are bright and airy so it will appear less dramatic in your portraits.
After your Portrait Session it is time for the BIG reveal!
You will receive an email with a link to schedule your reveal a few weeks after your portrait session.
At your Image Reveal and Ordering Consultation you will get to view all of your favorite images for the first time. This is also where you will choose how to spend the print credit that was included with your session fee, and add on any additional items you may wish to purchase.
At your reveal we will:
- Go through all of your photos and talk about which images you love the most
- Design custom art displays for your home using images of the walls of your home that you send us
- Select image for any albums you would like to showcase your portrait session
- Choose any small prints you may want for end tables or gifts
Albums
Albums are one of our most popular items. I would say that around 95% of our clients end up with an album featuring their favorite images for their session. Albums are the perfect item if you fall in love with a large number of your images, and truly want something to tell the story of your portraits with us.
Our albums are all hand made in Spain and are truly pieces of art in themselves. Each page is printed on silk paper that does not finger print like a traditional photographic paper, and mounted on a hard substrate so that the pages do not bend or warp over time. I truly believe in the quality of this product. I have sample albums that have been displayed at horse shows outdoors on week on end for years that still look brand new and have not seen any wear or tear from the dirt or humidity.
When you purchase an album you can choose our Petite or Luxe size. Our Luxe size is a beautiful statement piece of a coffee table or book shelf, the largest images in this album are around 10 inches tall, and up to 28 inches wide. Our Petite album is perfect gifts for family members or as a complement to your main album so you have something for your office, or to take with you places.
Wall Art Option
We offer 2 different lines for our Wall Art, we have a Museum Line and a Modern Line.
Our Museum line is truly the top of the option. Our museum line includes our Canvas Gallery Wraps that are hand made by artisan craftsmen right here in the United States with the utmost attention to detail. These Gallery Wraps are finished by hand with brush strokes to give them a beautiful finish and add extra protection to your canvas.
Helpful articles
Past Sessions
Mailing Address:
9670 Post Oak Cemetery
Montgomery,TX 77356
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