As the festive season approaches, I'm excited to bring back my black background equine photoshoots, complete with the option to add a beautiful Christmas wreath for a magical, seasonal touch. These sessions were hugely popular last year, and I'm thrilled to offer them again in the run-up to Christmas. To help you get the most out of your session, here's a guide on how to prepare your horse (and yourself!) for these timeless portraits.
What this guide will include:
-Finding The Perfect Location
-Preparing Your Horse
-Preparing Yourself
-What To Expect
Finding The Perfect Location
-A stable entrance
-A field shelter
-A barn doorway
We’ll position your horse in the entrance, using the natural contrast between the bright outdoor light and the shadows inside to create that black background so there is no fancy setup required!
I’ll be editing the background to pure black, so don’t worry if the inside of the shelter isn’t spotless, I know what it is like trying to keep a yard tidy especially in Winter. But to make things easier and quicker on the day, please clear the entrance area as much as possible.
That includes things like:
-Sweeping away loose hay or bedding
-Removing any buckets, forks, rugs, or clutter from the doorway
A clear space gives us more flexibility with angles and poses.
Preparing Your Horse
-Give your horse a good groom beforehand or even a bath if you have time.
-Give your bridle or head collar a quick clean or polish
-If you're planning to clip, try to do it about a week before the shoot so any lines have time to soften.
Preparing Yourself
If you have multiple horses, or one who’s a bit stubborn about putting their ears forward, it can be really helpful to have someone with you. They can rattle a feed bucket, make noises, or help hold horses — anything to grab attention and make things go more smoothly.
That said, don’t worry if you don’t have anyone available I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve, and I’m more than happy to help hold horses if needed!
If you do fancy being in a few shots, here are some tips:
-Wear something comfortable but that you feel good in — cosy winter style always works well
-Neutral tones or soft festive colours look great and keep the focus on you and your horse
-Try to avoid large logos, as they can be distracting.
What To Expect
When I arrive, we’ll have time for a chat and for me to meet your horse(s). We’ll chat about any specific shots or ideas you have in mind. Don’t worry if you’re not sure I’ll come with plenty of suggestions and inspiration. If we haven't spoken about it before your shoot we'll discuss whether you'd like the Christmas wreath in for of the shots or not.
We’ll then take a look at the chosen location (stable entrance, barn, etc.) and do any last-minute tidying if needed things like sweeping hay or moving items out of the way.
Now the fun begins! We’ll take a variety of shots and I’ll guide you through posing and positioning so you don’t need to worry about a thing.
Before we finish, we’ll do a quick check to make sure we’ve captured everything you were hoping for.
At the end of the session, I’ll give you a rough idea of editing time based on my current workload. Then once everything is ready, I’ll be in touch with a link to your online gallery, where you can choose your favourite images.