Prep for Success for your Equine Photo Session.
There are a few things you can do ahead of time to ensure a successful and stress-free experience creating the images of your dreams. Check out my Session Preparation Guide to learn how to get the most out of your Equine Session with Hannah Marie Photography.
There are a few things you can do ahead of time to ensure a successful and stress-free experience creating the images of your dreams. Check out my Session Preparation Guide to learn how to get the most out of your Equine Session with Hannah Marie Photography.
A mom and daughter model coordinating outfits during their fall family equine session.
What to Wear
As you’re planning your outfits for the session, there are a few things to keep in mind to help you look and feel your best in front of the camera.
Dress in clothing you feel good in and are comfortable wearing.
Clothes should be simple, avoiding very bold patterns with contrasting colors or tones. Pair with a neutral or skin-toned bra and if you wear a cami under your outfit, choose a coordinating or neutral color.
Choose ivory over pure white, as white draws the attention away from your face. And keep in mind that lighter colors are more difficult to keep clean around horses!
Looser-fitting clothing will allow more movement and will be more flattering when seated. Shirts with sleeves are usually more flattering than those without.
Make sure your clothing is free of wrinkles.
Julia, wearing natural looking hair & makeup, and Cruizer sharing a moment during their equine portrait session.
Hair & Makeup
I want you to look like YOU in your photos, so I recommend keeping your hair and makeup simple and natural.
Makeup should only be slightly heavier than normal, if at all. Your session is not the time to experiment! Use waterproof makeup if your session is going to be during warm weather months.
Use a good foundation/powder to give your skin a smooth, matte look. Fill in your brows to bring attention to your beautiful eyes.
If possible, apply your makeup in natural light so you can see how it will look in the photos.
Consider hair styles that will keep your hair out of your face to give us the most options when it comes to posing. Nothing ruins a cute moment like not being able to see your face!
Preparing Your Horse
I want your horse to look great and be in a great state of mind for the session. Here is how you can make that happen.
• Groom your horse to the same standard you would for a rated show. Bathe ahead of time and use some shine spray. Make sure your horse is dry in time for our session!
• Clean all tack you will use in the photos.
• In the weeks leading up to the session, brush up on groundwork and make sure your horse is willing to stand still next to you for a few minutes at a time. Practice moving one step at a time front and back, and test their skills in new locations around the farm.
• Exercise and feed your horse on the day of the session. They will be less likely to stand calmly next to you if they are bathed and placed in a stall for hours before we start.
• If your session is in the fall and your horse has started to grow a winter coat, you can blanket the night before to lay the hair down (but make sure the blanket has a neck hood).
• Make sure everyone involved in the photo session is well-fed and hydrated!
At the Session
From my experience photographing people and horses, I have learned a few simple tips to help make the session go smoothly.
Stay calm and positive no matter how your horse behaves during the session. If you get nervous or upset, it may cause them to do the same.
In order to keep the horse's attention on us, it's best not to let them eat grass during the session. Treats may be used on a case by case basis for certain poses, unless it proves to be more of a distraction than helpful.
In order to avoid standing in place, horses tend to circle in front of their handler. When repositioning your horse, we’ll always try to quietly back your horse into place instead.
If I have you in a certain pose, and your horse turns in to interact with you, always feel free to break the pose and respond to them!
Most of all, remember that this is supposed to be fun! I have a (near infinite) supply of patience so the more relaxed and positive you can be during the session, the better the results!
Working Equitation at Equanimity Farm
This was a day of learning for me as my first in-person exposure to Working Equitation. Only officially recognized in competition since the 1990s, it's a new discipline rooted in tradition...
Stephanie Hayes aboard DEM Rayo
This was a day of learning for me as my first in-person exposure to Working Equitation. Only officially recognized in competition since the 1990s, it's a new discipline rooted in tradition, designed to celebrate the different methods of working cattle in different countries. The result is a combination of dressage, versatility, and cow work.
Riders competed in three phases: Dressage, Ease of Handling, and Speed. The dressage phase is very similar to dressage as we know it. Ease of Handling requires navigation through an obstacle course, not unlike a versatility challenge and marks are given on transitions, maneuvers through the obstacles, and obedience. The speed phase is another obstacle course where scoring is time-based.
Fun fact - traditionally, Working Equitation actually has 4 phases, although the 4th phase is rare in the US due to the novelty of the discipline. Any guesses about what it might be?
A cow trial! Riders work as a team to cut and herd a predetermined cow into a designated pen. I think the coolest part of it all is that riders are encouraged to dress in whatever tack and attire they traditionally ride in, whether it's western, dressage, hunt seat, or traditional Iberian tack (so cool!).
I’m Hannah
When you work with me, you’re working with a dog-loving horse girl who puts the animal first and truly enjoys creating art that highlights the natural beauty of our 4-legged companions.
I find joy in building a career that combines my two biggest passions: horses and photography.
With experience in both sides of the horse world from working at a top dressage barn and competing as a hunter-jumper, to learning how to sort cows and skijor, I understand the style unique to each breed and discipline and can tailor our session to reflect your style.
I’m also a dog mom to two husky mixes and if 8 years of husky ownership has prepared me for anything, it’s capturing the personality of even the most uncooperative pups with the utmost patience.
skijor photo credit: aParadis Photography