Horse & Rider Portraits



Session Prep Tips

  • Make sure your horse is groomed and ready to go at least 10 minutes before your scheduled session start time. Do your best to ensure your prep process is as calm and stress-free for your horse as possible so that 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. This will help them have that shiny look for their pictures. Also, a tiny dab of Baby Oil or Vaseline on their noses and ears can help eliminate 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 off you have access to one that dries, and the dirt will not stick, such as SuperShine Clear Polish.
  • If you have multiple horses that are being photographed, please ensure that they are ready to go and easily accessible before 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 before my arrival to allow them to rest and pee if needed. I find that horses that stand in the cross ties for long periods before photos tend to be antsy 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 horses'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 the Whites


Make sure any white on their legs or face is free of stains. Don't forget you can 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 they 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 before the session by intensive grooming can help with their natural shine. The right shine spray also goes a long way. 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 pots 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 we are doing Black Background Portraits, 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 aisleway 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 at the designated time, the session will be cut short as we may run out of sunlight depending on the time of day.

Choosing the Right Tack

Bridle


I recommend a properly fitting bridle because it fits securely and does not rotate or move on your horse's face during pictures.

A simple bit always looks best in photos.

If you ride in a large elevator type bit, shadow roll, bit guards, or side blinders, I recommend switching your horse into something simpler as these larger items can hide your horses face and distract from the simplicity of the images.

Halter


If your horse is young or retired a leather halter is a great option.

Just ensure the halter fits correctly and is cleaned prior to the start of your session and that you have a nice clean and simple lead rope to use. Leather Lead lines work great.


Neither


Want a more natural look? This is a great option if we are going to be in an enclosed pasture. We can go for a laid-back and relaxed look with you and your horse interacting in the field together.

Please keep in mind this wis only possible if your horse is well behaved and will stay with you or follow you around when turned loose.

To braid or band or not

When clients ask this question I always ask them first and foremost which look they prefer. Some people prefer the tidier look of braids or banding, this also helps tame any flyaway manes and ensures they will look perfect through the entire session.

Ask yourself these questions:

  1. Which look do I prefer? Do I prefer the show ready, tidy look or the more natural look?
  2. Do I want to braid or band my own horse's mane, or can I hire someone to do this at the barn for me?
  3. Does my horse have a flyaway mane, or does my horse's mane stand straight up?

Clipping

Should I clip my horse for pictures?

Body Clipping


If it's winter time or your horse is super fuzzy, body clipping is up to you. Please keep in mind that a fuzzy horse will not appear as sleek or shiny in pictures. Please ensure their hair has been brushed well and is not ruffled up in any spots.

If you do choose to body clip make sure you do so early enough so that you can ensure their are no lines from clipping as they will be readily apparent in pictures.

Horses look best photographed at least 1 week after being clipped.

Whiskers & Ears


I always recommend clients do as they would normally do for a show in regards to clipping their horse's ears and whiskers.

If you opt to clip your horse's ears and whiskers, please do so the day before your horse's pictures, so that you do not get them all wound up if they decide the clippers are scary monsters on the day of the session.

Bridle Path


Bridle paths that are awkwardly grown out tend to look like mini Mohawks in pictures, so it is best to trim up those bridle paths.

If your horse doesn't have a bridle path and their bridle fits nicely without giving them a bad hair day, then don't worry about cleaning their bridle path up.