I’ve pulled together a few tips for photographing horses
Clean and tidy – Make sure your the horse is looking their best. It needs to be clean, clipped, brushed, plaited (if appropriate) and that their eyes are clear. Use Show Sheen and lots of it.
Light – Use the morning or afternoon sun whenever you can – as that golden light will make your horse’s coat shine. No flash photography as this spooks most horses. Take lots of photos when your horse has his summer coat, as this will show off his toned muscles, and all those fine details they have.
Keep their eyes clear and sharp – Having sharp eyes is important as they say, “Eyes are the window to the Soul” and eyes can be very expressive. Make sure they are in focus.
Have someone to help you. – You’ll need someone to make noises, move horse feet, rattle buckets, or throw sand in the air. Your assistant needs to be very comfortable and experienced around horses.
Position yourself – If you are taking a full body photo your camera should be pointed at the mid-shoulder of the horse. If your camera is higher than that, you will find the horse’s legs will look short. If you’re too low, the legs will appear really long.
Get the ears up and forward – The position of the horse’s ears affects the muscles in the face. Ears forward will make your horse look engaged and alert. Lazy ears or ears back are a no-no as they can make the horse appear grumpy or hard-faced. One ear back or flicked can show engagement.
Halter or bridle or none? Nylon halters are a no-no so please use a leather halter. Or put a clean bridle on the horse. If your horse is in a safe and secured area and is well-behaved, you can just have a rope around the top of their shoulders so there is nothing on their face. Please be aware that any bit in their mouth distorts the shape of their mouth, therefore the portrait will have to include a bit.
Treats – a pocketful of their favourite treats is always handy. The horse will be more comfortable around you, and intrigued where that lovely smell is coming from. They’ll look at you more, which is great for portraits. You should give them a treat every once in a while to reward them for being good.
Keeping your horse happy to be photographed:
- Let your horse get used to the camera gradually.
- Mix play with photos, so that the photo session isn’t non-stop. Let them have a break.
- Only do things with them that they love and in locations they are comfortable in.
- Point and shoots cameras can do wonders! Don’t think you need a fancy camera.
- Remember to experiment!
- Take your time, be patient with them and enjoy the session
Pet Portraits 