Captured Moments from Pacific Northwest Equine and Pet Photo Shoots
I am often blown away by the bond I see between animals and people. As a longtime horse, dog, and cat owner, my animals own me, as much as I own them. Do you feel the same way? Over the years they have taught me to pay attention and focus when I am with them.
Horses and other pets are great teachers. Animals are aware of their surroundings and ask us to be in the moment with them. It is these special moments I am drawn to capture with my camera. In general, the more a client focuses on their horse or pet, the better the images will be.
As herd animals, equines are looking for someone to be in charge, to be the leader. When we take charge, horses are usually better able to relax. If we are having a bad day, are worried about other things, or even just playing on our phone, horses may question our leadership credentials, and rightly so. Many great horsemen and horsewomen have recognized the importance of self-control in the riding and handling of equines. This is one of my favorite quotations.
“There is one principle that should never be abandoned, namely, that the rider must learn to control himself before he can control his horse. This is the basic, most important principle to be preserved in equitation.”
— Alois Podhajsky
My experience with dogs and even cats, leads me to believe they are looking for us to be present too. Does your cat sit on the computer keyboard when you are trying to work? Mine does. Dogs perceive us as part of their pack. It seems like our dogs are usually watching us. Has this been your experience? While it did not come easily, I have learned from my animals, especially my mares, to be present. For this I am grateful.
What may you ask does this have to do with equine and pet photography? I need to be focused and in the moment during a shoot. There is a lot going on that I am paying attention too. In addition to the subject, I am watching the background to minimize distractions, the lighting which may be changing, and optimizing composition and camera settings. With action shots, especially, I anticipate what is going to happen next. After the shoot, attention to detail is required in preparing photos for display.
The portraits I create for a client reflect a person and their animal in the moment they were taken. I want you to have fun and enjoy the process! You are stars and the photography session is for you. Sometimes clients are nervous or worried that their horse or pet will not cooperate. My advice is to breathe and focus on the animal, not on me. The beauty you see in your horse or pet, is also in you. This will show up in the images. We will get the shots. If something is not working, we will do something different
Preparing for the session, including choosing what to wear, if you are going to be in the photos, will make the session more successful. We will discuss it ahead of time and develop a plan to get the images you are looking for. I have props and other equipment to use. For equines, I have options for headgear, including ‘photo halters’ that can be removed during editing. I have a backdrop that can be hung in a barn aisle to create a black background. For dogs and cats, I have toys, and thin leads. I also encourage owners to bring their own gear and treats, if appropriate.
When I get home and look through photos, I usually smile and cannot wait to share them with the client. I imagine what the best ones will look like professionally edited, printed, and displayed. We will view the curated images together to select the ones you want to purchase and hang as wall art in your home, office, or stable. This can be done using technology or in person. There are options for framed prints, gallery wrapped canvas, and my personal favorite, metal substrates, as well as albums and cards. I am looking forward to partnering with you to capture authentic moments.
