“Take a picture, it’ll last longer…”
The 90’s definitely got that right.
How many pictures do you have of your horse on your phone? 1,000? A couple million? Us too.
But how many pictures are of BOTH you and your horse?
Probably not that many.
That’s why, being the clever equestrian you are, you hire a photographer to take pictures of you and your horse together.
But, I don’t know where to start to find a photographer or what to do in photos!
Don’t panic, we got you covered!
Keep reading to find your perfect photographer and photoshoot tips for your big day.
Why hire an equine photographer?
Photographers will always be able to capture pictures of you and your horse. But it takes a special type of photographer to really understand the relationship that you and your equine friend have.
Just taking a picture, while it’s very lovely, is just not the same as capturing your horse’s personality.
Have you ever tried to get your horse’s ears to stand up for a picture? It is no easy feat. But an equine photographer will know exactly how to make your horse look like a movie star without causing them to spook or to be upset. On top of that, they also know what lighting will capture the best angles on your horse.
You will come out of your photoshoot feeling confident and like a grand prize winner.
Your equine photographer loves horses just as much as you do so, they are going to be able to capture the magic that you feel when you are around your horse.
Keeping it as natural as possible makes their job easy and, loving your horse as much as you do, that will be an easy job for you.
What do I need for my photoshoot?
You don’t need to plan a bunch of decorations to make your photoshoot wonderful, unless it’s at an event, then decorate accordingly.
You only need to do a few simple things in order to prepare for your photoshoot:
1. Clean halter and tack
If your photoshoot involves being in the saddle make sure that your tack is clean, well-oiled, and polished before your photoshoot. If you are needing to clean the hardware on your tack use a polish that won’t scratch the metal or damage the leather.
You don’t have to go out and buy a fancy show halter for your horse to look good in their pictures.
You can go out and buy a nice rope halter that matches your horse’s barn colors and still have just as much fun at your photo shoot. If you’re crafty you can also learn to make your own rope halter out of paracord.
Farnam, Leather New Easy-Polishing Glycerine Saddle Soap
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Brasso 2660089334 Metal Polish, 8 oz Bottle
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2. A nice outfit (or multiple outfits)
You want to look your best next to your horse in your pictures, and there is nothing wrong with an outfit change at intermission. Just make sure that you check with your photographer that multiple outfits are a part of the package that you have paid for. Depending on what service you pay for you may only have time for one outfit for the photoshoot.
In order to pick out the right outfit you want to think ahead as far as what you want your photoshoot to look like.
Do you want to just be standing halter and hand with your horse?
Are you going to want to be tacked up and riding around?
Or would you prefer to be in a halter or bridle and bareback?
If you are planning on being in a field make sure that you are either wearing long pants and boots or put bug spray around your legs if you’re wearing a dress.
Why do I have to do that?
One word: ticks.
Don’t let bugs ruin your shoot. Make sure that your best accessory is a bottle of bug spray.
Cutter BACKWOODS 96280 Insect Repellent, 6 oz Aerosol Can
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3. Any sort of decorations for your horse
Do You remember when you were in 4H and you would go absolutely bonkers for the hoof glitter and tubes of glitter for your horse or a parade or a show?
Everyone wanted to have a sparkly unicorn.
Well, now you’re an adult, with real adult money and you can buy as many tubes of glitter as you want and use them to your heart’s desire.
Or if you support a more minimalist vibe, you can always go with a simple banner around your horse’s neck or a style of braiding in their main and tail.
This is your photoshoot. It is completely up to you how you want to decorate it.
4. Don’t forget to give your horse a bath
Since you’re an experienced horse person you know that as soon as you give your horse a bath and let them go they’re going to roll. No matter how dry they are or how painstakingly you have used green spot remover on the white parts of their body, they are going to find the dustiest or muddiest spot in the pasture and that is where they’re going. To go from having a grey horse to a bay in about 30 seconds.
Cowboy Magic, Green Spot Remover, 32 oz
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To avoid this disaster, try bathing your horse a minimum of two hours before your photoshoot. If you are trailer ing to your shoot location then try bathing them at least a couple hours before you put them in the trailer.
It is okay to let them stand and dry while you have a beverage and read a book or apply the final touches to your hair and makeup.
Just make sure that if you are planning to walk away for any reason that you have someone standing there with your horse to make sure that they don’t do something ridiculous (as horses are known to do).
I Want To Find An Equine Photographer Near Me
Prices vary depending on the photographer and what kind of packages you want.
Petaluma, CA
Are you looking for a local photographer in Petaluma who knows horses and supports a good cause?
Look no further than Chelsey Squibbs Photography. Chelsey has had horses for a good portion of her life and has spent many years photographing. Chelsey’s goal is to capture the special bond between you and your horse. She is a communicative professional that understands the best dances to make your horse’s ears perk up in every picture.
The best part?
A portion of her fees is donated to American Made Miniatures Farm Sanctuary.
Her rates start at $495.00 and go up from there.
Bend, OR
Are you looking for a photographer in Bend, Oregon who loves horses as much as you do?
Then Ella Chedester is your gal!
Her and her team of professionals will make sure to capture the magic between you and your horse. Okie (one-eyed orange cat and tech support), Rue (Queen mare and scheduling supervisor), Lucy (professional border collie and office manager), and Ella will make sure your photoshoot goes off without a hitch and that you receive your photos in a timely manner.
Her rates start at $900.00 for a complete photo package.
Puyallup, WA
Equine photographers should be passionate about what they do. Kayla Norene is that and more.
Extraordinary photographer, animal lover, and your number 1 hype girl, Kayla Norene has it all.
Her rates start at $600.00 (plus tax) for an amazing photo package that will provide memories for years to come.
Need something for your shoot but can’t find it at home? Shoot on down to your local Wilco Farm Store for all your photoshoot accessory needs.
