If you have a horse photoshoot coming up, you want to make sure everything goes right and the photos come out excellent. So, you have to remember to prepare them, yourself, the photographer, and the location for a successful equine photoshoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This guide will be helpful for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- horse owners who want to take photos with their horses to capture and preserve memories<\/li>
- models or horse lovers who want to do an equine photoshoot<\/li>
- those taking senior photos<\/a> with a horse involved<\/li>
- photographers who want to do a horse photoshoot for professional reasons or to build their portfolio<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This guide summarizes the most important considerations factor in for a successful horse photoshoot. Read on to the end to discover what to do and what not<\/em> to do.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
RELATED: 11+ Ideas & Tips for Senior Pictures with Horses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
1. Safety Comes First<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/how-to-have-a-successful-horse-photo-shoot-786x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nI’m sure you already know that horses can cause quite a bit of damage when they become frightened or angered<\/a>. Therefore, the first step in making your horse photoshoot a success is to ensure that it is safe for you, the equine, and the horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re working with your own horse that you’ve had for a while, you probably already have a good idea of what might set your horse off, but you should always take care when going into new environments or doing anything new with your horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re doing a photoshoot using someone else’s horse or one you don’t know very well, make sure to listen to everything the handler or equine tells you. Pay close attention to the horse’s attitude and mood even before the shoot begins. The shoot will only succeed if everyone involved is in the right mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a good idea to introduce your model to the camera and other photography gear gently. Then, when you get to the shoot location, let it sniff the gear and get familiar with the shutter sounds first. This is particularly important if it is the horse’s first photoshoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And no matter what you do, make sure to steer clear from the area behind the horse. If you’re behind a horse when it gets spooked, it could result in serious injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Decide on Your Mood & Scenery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/how-to-have-a-successful-horse-photoshoot-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou’ll want to decide on what kind of look and feel you want for your photos. Here are some questions to consider when planning your equine photo shoot:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Do you want it to be at the barn, in a field, on the road, at the beach, in the woods, or somewhere else?<\/li>
- Do you want to be riding the horse or beside it?<\/li>
- Do you want to be riding with a saddle and gear or bareback?<\/li>
- Do you want to be wearing riding gear or something fancier like a dress?<\/li>
- Are there any specific shots you want to make sure you get? (Close-ups, specific angles, distance-shots, etc?)<\/li>
- Will there be any kids<\/a> involved? If so, do you have all of the necessary permissions from parents, etc? Have you taken extra safety precautions?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The absolute best place to get ideas for horse photoshoot ideas is Pinterest<\/a>, so I would recommend surfing photos there a few weeks in advance and creating an idea board to share with the photographer and\/or model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Get The Right Gear and Apparel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"horse](\"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/horse-photo-shoot-ideas-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nA horse photoshoot is not something you do every day, so you must prepare well to make your session worth it. One of the most important steps of preparation is getting inspiration for the pictures you take and getting the right gear for those scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many unique boots, jeans, cowboy hats, breeches, coats, and other apparel you may need for the shoot. In addition, the horse may need hoofs, wraps, ties, bridles, ropes and lines, muzzles, cribbing straps, and even anti-bug sprays for outdoor shoots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In general, it takes a lot of preparation to pull off unique successful photoshoots. Seek inspiration online to know what you want and what is required. If you need to, you can shop for the apparel and gear on equestrian collections<\/a> or horseloverz.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also check out our various guides to riding outfits<\/a> when planning the wardrobe for your shoot. We have ideas for different colored riding outfits, the best hairstyles for riding<\/a>, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Prepare Your Model for the Shoot in Advance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"horse](\"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/horse-photoshoot-ideas-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow you prepare your model for the photoshoot will largely depend on the shoot location. If the shoot will take place in the stable or an environment the horse is familiar with, preparation shouldn’t take much effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you have chosen some exotic outdoor area or an indoor studio for the shoot, you must take the time to prepare the horse for the photo session. Read up all information about the horse’s breed – temperament, riding styles, and personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be sure to wash<\/a> and groom<\/a> the horse in good time. Take the time to brush the coat and comb the mane. If your photos include the horse wearing a bridle, do not forget to clean and polish it too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- photographers who want to do a horse photoshoot for professional reasons or to build their portfolio<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n