There are many things to do to prepare for your photography session. To the average person booking a photo shoot can seem intimidating and scary, so today i’m here to help with that!
The level of preparation you do is completely up to you, but I highly suggest that you prepare in the same or similar way you would prepare for a horse show. If you don’t show then I will walk you through what show preparation is like.
As a photographer I want nothing more than to deliver you with the highest quality photos possible. While a lot is possible with editing, I cannot clean a dirty horse or de-hair a fuzzy horse.
Show prep from discipline to discipline can be very different, some of the main bases to cover include braiding, clipping, polishing hooves, and cleaning your horse as well as possible. The amount of preparation you do is completely up to you, however it will be reflected in your photos.
Clean Horses and Tack
Clean, shiny horses tend to glow in photos, especially black backgrounds. If you’d like to achieve a similar look in your photos, I’d recommend giving your horse a nice bath and grooming before hand. Products like Show-sheen or others that are similar can help as well. Having clean tack is also a part of creating a beautiful image. I, as your photographer, am here to capture the beauty and reality of you and/or your equine. While I can edit and enhance many things, I cannot clean dirty tack in the editing process.
Braiding
Braiding your horse can make for a beautiful and sleek image. Any type of braid or banding is welcome (though it’s not required). Whatever you are comfortable with. If you don’t know how braid, I recommend leaving the mane un-braided. Braids stand out a lot against a black or white background, so it is helpful to have them as neat and uniform as possible.
Tack and Equipment
With most photos, it’s traditional for most horses to be in a bridle only. Nice leather halters look nice as well. How much you choose to tack your horse is up to you, however a simplistic clean bridle tends to show off the horse very nicely. I recommend fitting your bridle with a simple snaffle bit (i.e. O-ring, D-ring, eggbutt, etc.) if possible. During a black background shoot I prefer to shoot without the reins on the bridle, so I recommend removing them and adding a lead rope for ease of switching sides. For western bits, or anything other than a simple snaffle, I find it most aesthetically pleasing to leave the reins on.
Clipping
Clipping your horse is also quite up to you. Sleeker horses tend to be shinier in photos. During the summer months this is not as much of a concern as it is in the winter months. I do however recommend clipping to the extent you would for a show. This may include ears, whiskers, and/or pasterns. These areas show up very obviously against a black or white background. Clipping them may enhance the cleanliness of your images but are not required, and are entirely up to you.
Polishing Hooves
I personally find that polished and clean hooves can enhance your images immensely. Polished or oiled hooves tend to stand out better in images, but are once again up to you.
Black/White Backgrounds
For black and white background images, I do not use a set or any special equipment. All I require is an evenly lit area in a barn door or covered arena. One of the most crucial aspects of a black background image is a clean floor. If possible, close all barn doors or windows that shine light behind the horse.
Horse and Rider
For your horse and rider session, the amount of preparation you do is up to you. Depending on the package you purchased, will determine if you have enough time to change outfits. Most riders choose to wear nice casual outfits and dresses, some also choose to wear their show attire. What you choose to wear is completely up to you. If you choose to ride your horse during your session, with or without protective equipment, your photographer is not responsible for any injury or incidence (refer to your contract for more information on liability)