Session Prep Guide

Getting ready for a photo session might feel overwhelming, but I have compiled some tips and tricks to help keep the process as fun, easy and stress-free as possible for both you and your horse! Please keep scrolling and take a look at each section for my advice on preparing for your session. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out…I am so excited to work with you!

QUICK CHECKLIST

On the day of your session, please bring:

✓ Your horse(s): clean, dry, and ready to go in the tack you’ve chosen

✓ You: dressed in one of your selected outfits

✓ A friend to assist you during your session: while this is not a requirement, it is highly recommended and encouraged

✓ Any additional outfits you’ll be wearing (please check the allowed amount in your selected section)

✓ Any accessories you’d like included in your portraits (hats, etc)

✓ A soft, damp rag to wipe down your horse’s nose/eyes

✓ Water…you will be moving around quite a bit and will get hot!

✓ A hairbrush, extra makeup, hairspray, etc for touchups

✓ Extra fly spray

✓ Treats, preferably with crinkly wrappers to get ears forward

Preparing Your Horse

-Your primary focus should on dust removal! A dusty coat really sticks out on camera and can not be fixed during the editing process as easily as other issues.

-If you bathe your horse, it’s very important that they’ve dried completely before your session. You may want to bathe them the day before, and leave time to touch up and spot-clean them on your session day.

-Whitening shampoos and sprays are great for removing yellow spots, however, don’t stress too much if you can’t get rid of a stain completely. It will be edited out.

-Wipe down your horse's nose, eyes, and inner ears. A bit of vaseline or baby oil can polish up these areas, but use sparingly so there’s not a distracting amount of shine/reflection.

-Make sure your horse’s feet are brushed clean. If you choose to use hoof polish, it should be a non-stick type that does not attract dirt.

-Using a shine spray on your horse’s coat, mane and tail is highly recommended and can really add a polished feel to the images.

-Manes and tails should be clean, smooth and free of any shavings or debris. You may choose to have your horse braided for your session, but it is not necessary.

-Participating in a photo session can feel new and stressful to some horses, so it’s best to keep the process as relaxing for them as possible. Making sure they’ve been recently exercised might make standing still for pictures easier. Mild calming supplements like PerfectPrep may help with anxiety, but harsher sedatives will make your horse look tired and unengaged in your photos. Please consult with your trainer and vet before administering any supplement or medication for your session.

-It is totally normal for a horse to have trouble standing still for some of the poses, or be confused about what we’re asking them to do. There is nothing to be embarrassed about if your horse is not behaving as perfectly as you’d hoped. The best thing you can do is stay as relaxed as possible for them. If they need to take a walk, or turn around, or even go back into their stall for a bit to calm down, it’s ok.

-While not required, it is highly recommended that you bring along somebody who can help get your horse’s ears forward and direct their attention for different poses. They can also help to make sure you’re relaxed and smiling and assist with any necessary hair, wardrobe or makeup adjustments.

Tack Tips

-You may choose to have your horse photographed in either a halter or bridle. Clean, polished leather and synthetic leather look best in photos. Scuffs, dust and worn spots become obvious in pictures. If you’re borrowing tack or using something new, please make sure it’s correctly fitted to your horse.

-If your horse will be wearing a bridle, use a clean, appropriately-sized bit that looks as plain and simple as possible. Regular loose rings or D-rings are great. If you don’t have a bit like that available, I’d strongly recommend just using a halter. Bits with multiple rings, long shanks or curb chains will look very bulky in photos and distract from your horse’s face.  

-For equine fine art sessions, please remove the reins from your horse’s bridle- they can look tangled and messy in photos. Instead, attach a lead to their bit. Leads on bridles and halters will be edited out of equine fine art photos in Photoshop. For horse and rider sessions, reins and leads will remain in the final photos, so make sure they are clean and match your bridle or halter.

-For mounted portraits, most riders choose to sit on their horse bareback. If you do wish to use a saddle, be sure that your saddle pad is clean and does not clash in color or pattern with your outfit.

Barn Preparation

-Please make sure that your barn owners, managers, and/or staff are notified of your session in advance and are ok with it’s occurance. It is best that we have a space to work in where you and your horse can be relaxed and undisturbed without having to move out of the way frequently.

-For equine fine art sessions, we will be posing your horse at the end of a barn aisle. This creates the best lighting scenario for the black-background style images. Ideally, the lights in the aisle can be shut off. If your barn has multiple entrances to an aisle, we will use whichever is widest and/or has the least amount of direct sunlight. Please be sure that the aisle entrance is clean, swept, and free of distractions. If there are other horses that will be in stalls at this part of the aisle, their doors should be totally shut so they cannot reach out and engage with your horse during your session.

-For horse and rider sessions, we will choose a few spots around the barn property that will serve as a good background. Shadier spots away from direct sunlight are ideal. If there’s a particular area you’d like to use, like a certain ring or paddock, plan ahead to make sure that it will be available during your session time.

-If your horse is unfamiliar with the area we’ll be photographing them in, it can be helpful to introduce them to the space in advance so they can acclimate.

Choosing Your Outfits

-Solid, mid-toned colors and simple patterns are usually a good choice.

-Wear well-fitting clothes that create texture and shape; outfits that are too flat, big or boxy can be unflattering in photos. Add layers like vests, scarves, jackets or sweaters.

-Clothes with movement, like long, flowy dressed or skirts, look amazing in photos.

-Make sure that no straps or lines from undergarments are visible.

-Try to choose at least one outfit that allows full movement and the ability to stand, sit, and walk comfortably. Jeans, a simple top, and comfortable boots or sneakers are usually a safe bet.

-Outfits should be seasonally appropriate and make sense in the environment you’re being photographed in. For example, a short, floral summer dress may look out of place in a fall portrait with autumn leaves, or a very formal dress and heels may look odd in a rustic barn setting.

-Consider the color and style of the room where your prints and wall art will be displayed. For example, a simple neutral-toned outfit would help a portrait fit seamlessly into the décor of a minimalist living room.

-If you will be wearing makeup, matte finishes look better in photos than dewy or gloss finishes. Be sure to use water-resistant products, as you will likely be sweating. Set your makeup with powder and bring along some extra in case you need to touch up.

-Choose colors that coordinate well with the color of your horse.

-If two or more people will be in your photos, do not wear outfits that are too “matchy.”  Stick to a theme of similar tones rather than wearing the exact same color or pattern.

-It is recommended that you avoid:

  • Logos, text and photos on clothes; they may get cut off in different poses or crops and become unreadable or unclear.

  • Solid black or solid white, which can look blocky and shapeless on camera

  • Neon colors, which can reflect onto skin and create unflattering tones.

  • Very short dresses and skirts, as they limit the number of poses that you’ll be able to do.

  • Lots of visible skin, which can show discoloration and tan lines.

  • Dirty nails or chipped polish

  • Anything on wrists that you don’t want in photos (ex. hair elastics, Apple watches, etc).

  • Open-toed shoes. You’ll be standing and walking with your horse, so your feet should be protected in case they accidentally step on you .

-With all of this being said, these are only suggested guidelines- your photo session is for YOU and the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident. I encourage you to be creative with your outfit choices and let your personality shine!