Planning Ahead For Your Photography Session: North Texas Seasons

Through my years as a photographer, I have taken notes on our Texas weather patterns and the effect they have on our landscape. What I have realized is that you cannot truly predict or forecast the weather, as it change unexpectedly - such as going from sunny and 75 to a winter storm warning in 24 hours. I cannot guarantee what each month will actually do in terms of weather, but here are some of my month-to-month observations and how I handle each one to fit my photography style. Since I specialize in equine photography, this is for any outdoor shoots in more of a rustic style, not as much for outdoor in an urban setting, although many conditions still apply to any location or style of photo sessions.

January/February: These months a usually cold, but have some warmer days that are bearable. If booking in advance, I recommend two dates so that, in case the first scheduled day has inclement weather, we have a back-up date. Most trees are missing leaves and the grass is a light brown.  If you want a green background, mountain cedar stays green year-round and you can find patches of green winter grass. The tall brown grass can have some wonder backlight effects during the golden hours.

I try not to schedule sessions in the morning hours, as it can be cold and sometimes very damp.  We always have the opportunity to have a rare snowfall that is heavy enough for photos, but the key word is 'rare.' Therefore, North Texas is not equipped to clear the roads to make them safe enough to travel to your destination.


March: The beginning of the month is similar to Jan/Feb and we can still have some snowfall or ice. Mid-month, we can have more winter grass and some of the bulb flowers; tulips/ daffodils start to bloom. Trees start showing a small amount of leaf growth near the end of the month. It is still cool in the morning near the end of the month, but bearable.

April: This is one of my favorite months for sessions. Usually the first part of the month, leaves are starting to emerge on most trees and they produce a very bright, light green hue. By mid-month, most species of trees are full of leaves.

Although rain and storms can be a factor, the temperatures make it ideal for being outdoors and time of day. During mid to late April, many of the more popular wildflowers - such as bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes - start to bloom.  The only setback is that it is hard to find these in a location safe to bring a horse.

May: Much of May is like late April - very green and the weather is nice, until near the end of May when temperatures start to rise. Many of the April flowers are gone, but now several more types of wildflowers start to bloom. We can still have a heavy rain or storm. With all the spring rain, stock tanks and creeks are a little fuller and can be used for some great backdrops.  The calm morning helps make some beautiful reflections in the water.

June: With temperatures rising, the landscape starts to change. Trees are still green, but the native grasses have gotten taller and start to turn yellow/brown. I love photos during the golden hours during June. The long day makes it easy for those who work during the week, to schedule a session on a weekday.

July/August: One word - HOT!  There is a big difference in the color of the trees and natural grasses. I try to start sessions as early as possible or as late as possible to avoid the heat.

September: Early in the month, it is still hot, but it does cool some later in the month. Unlike many parts of the country that see some true fall weather, we still a in the full of swing summer. Mornings in the later part of the month are somewhat cooler and very pleasant.


October: Although many parts of the country are seeing fall colors, North Texas is still green and if we get enough rainfall, it can sometimes be a little spring-like and some natural grasses will have a some new growth. October is another one of my favorite months. Beautiful weather with crisp mornings make it a very popular month for photos. Some of the Sumac trees start to turn red either late in the month, or early November.

November: Many think that we have leaf change in October, but it actually happens in November in North Texas. Although the leaf change is rather dull in Texas, I have noticed it is actually better following a very dry year. The heaviest leaf change is from mid-November to late November. Thanksgiving day always seems to have good color. Of course there is no guarantee of when or if we will have color change. Weather can be unpredictable, with the first frost of the year usually occurring mid-month, so mornings can be cold.

December: Early in the month, leaves are starting to fall, which can make for some pretty background effects. We start to have more consistent cold weather, and some winter storms are always a possibility. Although we may have some very cold days, there are still plenty of days that are very pleasant and sessions are still possible.

Update: 2015 proved me wrong in many ways.  With record breaking rainfall and an unusually warm December, proofed by drought theory wrong.  The fall colors were the best I have ever seen and did not start until after Thanksgiving and went into early to mid December.

Although I didn't mention wind as a factor, we do have wind much of the year except during the hot summer months when we would actually like a breeze to help cool off.   

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Preparing Your Horse For Photos

There are many reasons to have photos of your horse done and taking the time to prepare your horse will highly improve the quality of the images produced.

After you have decided on location and whether or not you will be in the photos, and have prepared yourself for the photos, spend enough time to have the horse prepared.  It's not just about the grooming; environment and even some training should be considered.

Have an idea of what type of images you are wanting or needing. Do you need some conformation images for advertising, or are you wanting some more personal images of the bond you share with your horse? What is the tone you are trying to set for your images: something more traditional and conservative, or something more dramatic?  Letting your photographer know your expectations is extremely important. Pinterest is an excellent site for creating some inspiration and getting some ideas. Share this with your photographer. I love it when the customer knows what they want, but still allows me to use my ideas, too.



To make your session with your horse less stressful, work with your horse before the session. If you are needing conformation photos, you will need to teach your horse "whoa" on the lead.  Horses are trained to follow us, so when we walk away to get out of the picture after getting the horse set-up perfectly, the horse will follow. A little work days/weeks before the session will help prevent them from doing so. Another thing to consider in conformation images is the profile.  Horses are trained to stand square for halter, but profile shots where the horse is standing square can give the appearance that the horse only has 2 legs (fig. 1). Teaching the horse to stand with some separation of the front and back legs (fig. 2) will look much better.  Know your horse's conformation flaws and best features; too much separation, or not enough, can make these points better or worse.

Fig. 1
Correct set-up for showing, but not
 suitable for photographs as it gives the horse the
appearance of having only 2 legs. 

Fig. 2
Correct set-up for conformation images.
You can see all 4 legs clearly.

Groom your horse as if you are attending a show.  If you are not sure what to do, there are plenty of grooming tips that can be found online.  A clean, clipped, and well-groomed horse photographs much better than an ill-prepared horse.  The camera picks up small details so dirt, stray hairs, and an un-clipped muzzle will really show up in your images. Spend a little more time on the head of the horse since the head will be shot in a closer frame. Dirt and debris around the muzzle, nostril, eyes, and ears should be cleaned well. Know the standards for clipping and grooming for your breed or discipline. Whether or not the mane should be braided, banded, kept long, or pulled are among the considerations. If you have the availability of keeping your horse's haircoat slick year-round, anytime of year is good for photos. If your horse is kept on pasture year-round, the best time for photos is spring when your horse has shed its long coat and before the coat dulls from the summer sun. In my opinion, this is when the horse's coat has the best color, luster, shine, and sometimes some dappling.

If your photo shoot is for a group of people at the same barn and the images are to be used for advertising, put someone in charge of coordinating the shoot. Having a cohesive look will greatly improve the look of your ads and photo groups. This can be in the details of grooming, tack,  and outfits. Grooming and tack should match the attire of the riders. You can even get as picky as having the same shades of leather. Outfit colors should coordinate with your horse as well as with others that will be included in the photo collection.

Another detail to consider is tack. Clean your tack before the shoot, even if it is just a quick wipe-down. I prefer leather tack in images. A brand new, bright nylon halter is very distracting and brings the focus of the image to the halter, not the horse.  With the exception of conformation shots, horses that are too young to be ridden, and halter horses, I think a bridle looks better and allows you more control.

Again, consult with your photographer: good communication can lead to the start of great results!

Appearance Tips For Your Photo Session

Taking extra time to think about your appearance for your photo session can make the difference between liking your images and loving them. Plan ahead and avoid that last minute rush of throwing something together at the last minute. I have a  few suggestions and tips to help you decide your clothing options below. These are not rules, just some observations I have made and some of my personal opinions. Some of the "don'ts" may work for you and your style!

Clothing

Women/Girls

• Always keep in mind that the camera shows more!
• Unless your arms are toned, you should wear sleeves that cover past the elbows.
• Dresses should be long enough for you to sit down.
• Undergarments may show through clothing in images, so layer if needed.
• V-necks are more flattering, as it slims and lengthens the neck.
• Avoid polo shirts; I find that they are not very flattering.

Men/Boys

• I prefer the look of long sleeves on men in photos, but anything that is not too tight or too loose works.
• Layering is always a good idea; it makes fast clothing changes for different looks.
• Hint: If you are doing a session with your wife, mother, girlfriend, fiance; wear what they tell you to wear.

Families

• Clothing that coordinates together is better than matching outfits! Pick a color and work around that.
• If you are going to wear jeans, try to get tones that are close.
• Accessories are awesome but add them to help coordinate, not to distract.



They even coordinated with the horses

• If it is cold out, don't be afraid to wear coats and other accessories, but keep to the other suggestions.

All

• Wear clothes that fit properly; too loose or too tight should be avoided.
• The focus of these photos are you, not your clothes! So try to avoid too bright or dark of colors.
• Avoid loud prints, lettering, logos, and bright shoes.
• Avoid putting a dark belt on top of a light outfit.
• Always think of head to toe and the location your shooting!
• Always keep in mind your location, weather and the look you want.

Clothing changes

Layering: The jacket can be removed for a different
 look, and the hat can be removed for yet another look.

Think about where you are going to make clothing changes ahead of time. In some places, there are spots to go and in others, you are in the wide open, so think of undergarments!

Don't forget to bring shoes for all the outfits! Also think of where you're going to shoot and if its doable to wear your cute heels to get there, or if you should bring a practical  pair of shoes to walk to the location in. If shooting in a outdoor location,  I recommend a pair of rubber boots to wear when moving from place to place.  They are easy to take on and off and provide some protection.

Grooming

• Men should be freshly shaved so five o'clock shadows don't show.
• Hair should be nicely cut and colored. I recommend haircuts/color at least a week before.
• Girls should have their eyebrows waxed/tweezed several days before so the redness isn't apparent.
• Bring items for hair and make-up touch-up to your session!
• Nails should be clean or manicured for everyone.  For girls, nail polish should be fresh or completely removed and not chipped.

Jewelry
Try to stay away from the pieces that "make your outfit a little cuter" and lean more toward the sentimental pieces. Chunky heavy jewelry may be cute, but it's very distracting and takes away from from the main subjects.

Make-up
Use matte finishes and avoid make-up with sparkles and glitter, as they get in the way in the retouching process with the way they reflect light. If you hire a make-up artist, use one that has worked with photographers.

Always feel free to contact me for a free consultation before your session. If you want to add a stylist, make-up artist, or hairstylist that is always an option for your session.

How many outfits?
Bring as many as you want and I will help you chose.  I have a lot of expereince with what photographs well and what colors look good with skin tones and the location we are working with.  Don't think you have to wear everything, we will make the best selections together so pack as much as you can.  I love accessories!

Choosing a smart location!

Location:

When going to take pictures you always want to have a location in mind! Location, location location!  Although I may know of a great location, it might be overdone and I also love trying out new places that clients suggest. Consider the style you're looking for and what your interests are.  Think outside the box and try something that hasn't been done before.  Another thing to consider is the willingness to travel to a spot. You may know of a wonderful spot, but if you have to go under a bridge, through a creek, and a mile down the road to get to it, you should check to see if it's safe to carry all the equipment through. If you're not sure, look for another place. Feel free to consult me about the location you have in mind if you are not sure. Take into account that some places might be crowded and you may feel uncomfortable posing in front of many strangers, so keep in mind what which would be better for you: public or private locations?

As for how many people will be in your photos, a small venue would be perfect for a small amount of people, but always keep in mind that your shoot should take place in a location that has plenty of room to move and different choices for different looks.

Wanting something unique? Scout a fun location!  To give you an idea, laundromats have been popular, but that is being overdone in my opinion.  Never assume you can just show up to a place you found and use it for your shoots. Ask if it's on someone's property and make sure you have access before the shoot!  Some locations may have restrictions or require permits, and some may charge fees. In some cases, I can take care of the permits, but all fees are the client's responsibility.

Backgrounds:

Make sure clothing coincides with the background. For example, if you are wanting to shoot in a very green, woodsy area, it would be best to avoid wearing green. I am more than happy to help you with clothing suggestions. Another thing to consider is the condition of your background. You want it to look clean and avoid telephone poles/lines, or other things that can clog up your photo. If you have your home in mind, find a place free of clutter, inside and out. Watch out for the time of day you are going to take photos. Where will the sun will be? I will not photograph you directly facing a full sun! That would cause you to squint and cast a  harsh contrast on your face. I prefer the sun to be angled behind, to your side,  or possibly the front.

With your horses:

I prefer - though it is not required - to photograph horses where they are stabled or a place they are familiar with, as they usually act better!

Places with full sun and preferably lots of sky is best for taking images of just your horse, but for horse/person portraits, shade is preferred, though not required. It's usually best to take conformation shots of your horse on well-manicured grass or on another flat, clean surface with a clean background with a lot of sky and no distractions. For horse/human portraits, long grass and trees are great! Inside the barn works great, too, but just make sure it is clear of clutter. The location should allow plenty of range so we can shoot far away using the 200 mm lens. 

Weather:
I love cloudy days and even days with a slight drizzle, so please do not reschedule because of such conditions. When scheduling  always consider the weather and have a backup plan if rescheduling is not an option. If the weather plans for wind, does the location have a spot that would provide a good wind-block? In the summer, the morning is cooler and when we have very hot days, I will not do outdoor shoots any other time of day.  In the winter, mornings may be chilly, which I love, but dress accordingly.

Reminders
Remember you, your family, and your pets are the main characters of the shoot, and, in most cases, the background is not.  Depending on the number of subjects, I will not need much background to make a good image. The light source is more important sometimes.

Your Checklist Summary:
1) Location: style, travel, weather, clutter
2) Coordinating Clothing
3) Light
4) Background
5) Safety
6) Main subjects
7) Consult with your photographer

Tips for preparing your dog for photos

If you are like me your dog or dogs in my case are part of the family, so why capture memories of you beloved pet in photographs. To make the most out of your time in front of the camera, be prepared. In most cases you will want you dog clean and well groomed, do this before your photo session begins. If you want action shots this may not be as crucial as a portrait type session.

When finding a photographer for you dog, be sure they have some experience around dogs. Non-fans of dogs wouldn't be your best bet to hire.

If your dog doesn't know a few basic commands like sit and stay, start working on it a few weeks before your session. Training most dogs basic commands doesn't take much time and it will make the session much less stressful for you, your dog and your photographer.

Bring your dogs favorite treat and toy to help get a good expression on your dogs face. Sometimes a brand new toy helps. Also bring some water and a bowl for your dog. Some dogs may be afraid of the noises and flashes of a camera, so acclimated before you session. Let your photographer know if your pet is fearful of anything. If the photographer doesn't have an assistant, have another family member or someone else your dog is familiar with to assit.

Choosing your location is very important. Safety for your dog is the most important thing to consider, not to close to roads or other dangerous places for dogs. Consider the coloring of your dog so you dog stands out and doesn't blend into the background.

Think of the time of year and climate. If your session in the summer consider the early morning so your dogs tongue isn't hanging out the whole time and doesn't become overheated if doing action shots.

If your dog is part of the family and your life include them your personal portraits!

Be sure to visit my web-site for more session tips.