Horse Show Photography vs. Equestrian Photography Sessions
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Every day someone asks,
“Samantha, don’t you think I have enough photos of me and my horse?”
Just kidding.
No one ever says that.
But I am getting a lot of DMs on Instagram asking me about my process and I’m going to address one very specific question here today because I think it’s worth diving in.
Ready? Here’s the question:
“I bought some $10 photos from my last show - how is a photography session with you any different?”
There are a bajillion (I’ve counted) reasons - here are just a few:
1. Do you even like riding?
How great would this be if he was smiling?!
“Do you even like riding? Because your face says otherwise...”
How many times have you heard this? You LOVE riding but in the majority of your photos you look miserable.
[The face we make while riding is a major #mood.]
A photography session with me is different because you’re not worried about staying on course or sticking to the test. I make sure you’re having a great time (it should be fun!) and give you cues, prompts and guidance to ensure that the images capture how you feel.
2. You’re missing something
Action shots are an important part of showcasing your talent and passion for the sport. The things you and your horse can do together are truly incredible! And yes, we absolutely capture action shots during our session.
But, what those action shots don’t show are the quiet moments when you are your horse are free to just be with one another. For me, when I see you and your horse backlit by the setting sun as your horse reaches his nose out towards you looking for that reassuring scratch behind the ears he loves so much… that is the moment I want you to have forever.
3. Bad Lighting and Shadows and Angles, Oh My!
Shows are held during the day...usually midday...during the harshest of overhead lighting conditions...or worse...in a poorly lit indoor arena where the photographer has no control over where they can stand OR the light. These types of lighting situations make your eyes look hollow, are super unflattering (for you and your horse) and are usually taken at the worst possible angle.
This is the stuff of photography nightmares!
While I can and have shot through challenging lighting scenarios like these (often intentionally because I love a good challenge… ) what I want for you is the dreamy, golden light you can only get at sunset. This light is the most flattering for you and your horse and creates warm and buttery images that make you just want to sink right into them!
4. You only get one shot
Eminem wasn’t wrong. During a show, you really only get one shot to show what you’re all about and once you leave the arena/ring/course, you’re out of the show photographers mind and lens.
Did you chip the oxer? Did your horse become dead lame overnight? Exhausted from that early 5am wakeup call to load and prep before you actually get to the show?
You already have enough things on your plate during a show and worrying about taking a nice picture shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why I take extreme care to ensure my photography sessions are the complete opposite: relaxed, fun and stress-free.
Oh and you’ll get more than one opportunity (like, as many as you need) to get that beautiful image of you and your horse sailing over a jump (or whatever it is you and your horse love to do) with a massive smile on your face.
5. Aesthetics
Aesthetically speaking, shows aren’t great for getting images that you’d want to grace the walls of your home.
You’ll end up with random people in the background, hard fence lines (soooo visually jarring) and, as you and your horse are prancing down the centre line, that judge with the extra stern face will be forever judging you in your image...bleh.
When we work together one-on-one, I can position you in the most aesthetically pleasing way to capture images that you’ll actually want to hang on your wall without any visual distractions in the frame to detract from you and your beautiful horse.
At the end of the day, horse show photos are AMAZING for what they are. But they don’t show the full “picture” of the hours of hard work and love that you’ve poured into developing your talent and bond with your horse. You need an actual photography session because you deserve to showcase your talent, passion and bond.
