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

Remember Me Rescue Calendar

Remember Me Rescue is a small but big-at-heart organization that rescues, rehabs, or re-homes Thoroughbreds that have been on the track. Many times, owners and trainers of these horses contact Remember Me Rescue when they have a horse that is retiring from racing, injured, or just lacks the talent to be competitive on the track. Some of the rescues have been almost heroic, from the Many, LA rescue to the rescue of several Asmussen mares, in which - through a series of networking, donations, and hard labor from horse lovers around the county - dozens of horses were saved. Remember Me Rescue has quite the following on Facebook  and it's very touching how so many find ways to help, such as donations, finding transportation, and even the tremendous generosity of a well known owner to offer her credit card anytime in the case of a vet emergency.

I have taken countless trips to Remember Me Rescue and I have yet to see a horse without food or water.  Stalls are always clean and even the smaller pastures and turnouts are mucked daily.  Dallas and Donna are true horsepeople with talents that always amaze me, They are truly gifted in how they connect with horses and they have a passion for helping the ones in need.

Please help support Remember Me Rescue and take a look at some the beautiful and fortunate horses that have passed though the program in the past year by purchasing a 2013 Remember Me Rescue calendar for $29.95 plus shipping.  100% of profits will go to Remember Me Rescue.

2013 Calendars are 11" W x 18"L (image is 11 x 8,5) and priced at $29.95 plus shipping.
Click below to order your calendar.  Calendars will be shipping mid-November

Barn Sessions!

Designed for boarding barns, training facilities or just a bunch of horse owning friends. 

Details: 

• Need an organizer.
• Need a minimum of 4 horse owners.
• Each session fee is per horse/owner combo. 
• Each session will get a set time period.  How long depends on what we do.
• Deposit is required.
• Viewing/ ordering session on the same day.

Organizer: Can be the owner, manager or a client of the barn. Organizers can earn  discounted or even complementary sessions or products, depends on how many sign up for the session. Organizer will be the one to spread the word and get others to join in.  I will give the organizers material to help promote the event. They will also make sure everyone is ready for their time slot. They must get a minimum of 4 horse owners.

SAMPLE Session Price:

Session are fully customize to fit your barn's needs.   An example session: $99 -Includes 45 minutes of my time and a fun photo experience for you. You will also receive 2 fully edited/ re-touched 8 x 10 prints.  A $25 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot. I will not hold that slot until deposit is paid. Each session fee is per horse/owner combo. So if one owner has 2 horses, they will need to pay 2 session fees.

Viewing and choosing images:

All viewing will be done on-site immediately after each session. While I am shooting the next session, one of my assistants will help them choose your images. This session was designed to make it quick, simple, and to allow everyone to get their images as quickly as possible.

FAQs:

When and how will everyone receive their images?  They will received edited/ re-touched prints mailed directly to them.  

What if they like more than 2 images?  They may purchase additional images and prints at additional cost. 

May they  purchase more at a later date? Yes, but be sure to write down the image #'s of the ones they may want.   If they want them loaded online, there will be a $25 loading fee.

What if someone is running late? Please be on time. Because of scheduled time slots, we must stay on track of the assigned times. If you are running late, it will take away from your time in front of the camera. 

What if we are a bunch of friends and we do not keep our horses at the same place? No problem, we just need to find a location that everyone can meet at.

To set up a customized session email or call me at (940)367-4269

Mini Sessions - October 6, 2012

You asked for it, you got it.  Mini Sessions!
Details below
Reserve your slot at the bottom of page

The Details

Locations:

Morning sessions will be at the FM 428 Greenbelt Access point, so if you have horses you may bring them and even do some trail riding when you are done.  There is a small usage fee that you will be responsible for. This location has fields, trees, bridges, and trails.

Afternoon session: I am still deciding on several Denton County parks.  It is a toss-up between Cross Timbers Park, North Lake Park, and Lake Forest Park .  Any input on your preference is welcome and will help me make my decision.

Time:
October 6, 2012
Morning sessions: 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am,
Afternoon sessions: 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm
6PM & 7PM session will be close to sunset, and dusk and will be a prime slot, so book early.

Price:
$99 -Includes 45 minutes of my time and a fun photo experience for you. You will also receive 2 fully edited/ re-touched images.  A $25 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot. I will not hold that slot until deposit is paid.

Viewing and choosing images:
All viewing will be done on-site immediately after your session. While I am shooting the next session, one of my assistants will help you choose your images. This session was designed to make it quick, simple, and to allow you to get your images as quickly as possible.

FAQs:
When and how will I receive my images?  You will received your edited/ re-touched images and print release electronically.  If you prefer them on a CD, there will be an extra $5 charge.

What if I like more than 2 images?  You may purchase additional images and prints at additional cost.

May I purchase more at a later date? Yes, but be sure to write down the image #'s of the ones you may want.   If you want them loaded online, there will be a $25 loading fee.

What if we are running late? Please be on time. Because of scheduled time slots, we must stay on track of the assigned times. If you are running late, it will take away from your time in front of the camera.

Coming soon:
 Barn Sessions! Please use the Paypal button below or call me (940)367-4269 with your CC info.  You may mail a check, but it may not reserve your spot in time.

Spots Taken: 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, 6PM
.

Reserve Your Spot

8am $25.00 USD 9am $25.00 USD 10am $25.00 USD 11am $25.00 USD 2pm $25.00 USD 3pm $25.00 USD 4pm $25.00 USD 5pm $25.00 USD 6pm $25.00 USD 7pm $25.00 USD

Reserve your spot here

Equine Photography Tips- What is White Balance?

Have you ever taken a photo in an indoor arena that had an awful yellow tint, or maybe took a photo at sunset, hoping to get some nice warm colors, but it looks blue? The reason for this is your camera cannot determine what white is - you need to tell it what white is. For certain lighting factors, we need to adjust our white balance.  White balance may also be referred to as color balance or color temperature.

I find most people shoot  on Auto White Balance (AWB).  In this setting the camera has to guess what white is and does not always get it right.  Camera models have different locations where you can adjust white balance, but you may have noticed several icons on your camera- light-bulb, sun, clouds and a few others. These represent different light sources and will tell your camera what white is, so you get proper colors. Some cameras have a K setting, which allows you to fine tune your white balance. Each of these represent the color temperature that the light source emits. 

I keep mine set at K, and will adjust as needed.

White Balance is measured in Kelvins - color temperature in light sources.
1000-2000K - Candlelight
2500-3500K - Tungsten Bulb (reg light bulb)
4000-5000K - Fluorescent Lamp
5000-5500K- Flash
5000-6000K- Sunny
6500-7500K - Cloudy/Overcast
8000-9000K - Shade/ Heavy Overcast

Adjustment scale in Lightroom

The lower temperature is the blue/cooler side of the scale and the higher temperatures are on the yellow/warmer side.

Taking a few moments to adjust your white balance will result in proper coloring of your image with more vividness and saturation.  You are also able to get a little more creative with your photography by adding a little more warmth or coolness to your images.

The images below are all the same, but they were shot in RAW format rather than jpg, so I was able to adjust in Adobe Lightroom easily to demonstrate how color temperature can effect your photos.

Taken just before sunset in heavy shade, but the sun was peaking through the trees to give a little rim light.  This is the 1st shot I took right after shooting with several flashes, so the the temperature was manually set at ~5200.   The white looks a little blue in these and no warmth in the photo.

Being sunset, the camera cannot detect white. If I had the camera set to AWB, it would have more than likely turned out looking like this - looking very blue without warmth.

With a little adjusting in Adobe Lightroom, we added some warmth.  After taking this photo, I remembered to adjust my  white balance  to ~ 7500K so they all would have the warm glow from the sun setting.

To learn more about white balance and other ways to improve your photography check out Terri Cage Photography's mentoring and lessons