© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved
Feeling down? Saddle up!
~author unknown~
Last weekend I had the opportunity to capture some equestrian portraits in Pinellas Park, Florida. If you’re not familiar with the term equestrian it is defined as “a person who rides horse back,” or “pertaining to horse back riding.” I love photographing horse and rider for two reasons… First, I believe horses are one of the most beautiful and most majestic creatures on the planet, and second, I have witnessed the unconditional love between human and animal every time I’ve been around people who have horses. Today I would like to share the love that I captured between two horses and their riders, as well as give you some tips on photographing equestrianism... incase you would like to add these types of images to your portfolio.
The first thing I suggest is to keep an eye on the weather. Now I know there isn’t a darn thing we can do about the weather but sometimes horses don’t take well to thunder and lightning, and it’s really not safe for horse or rider to be out in a storm. If by chance you run into undesirable conditions where the weather is concerned (as I did last week), try to capture some portraits inside the barn while you are waiting out the storm. Bails of hay, milk cans, or old stools work great for posing your rider. While hats, chaps, bridals, halters, horseshoes, and other barn accessories make great props. Shooting through the barn door to the outside and stable doors make for great natural backdrops when you have to shoot inside.
Just a word to the wise when it comes to what to wear to this type of shoot… pants and long sleeves are best if the weather permits. Stables and barns tend to house a lot of bugs, especially flies… that bite! So this type of session isn’t for the faint of heart, or at least anyone who isn’t wiling to walk away with a few welts. I also recommend closed toed shoes! When horses turn… they turn wide, and you would do best to be aware of what they are doing, and back up when you know a horse is turning. A good pair of shoes or boots will definitely save your tootsies!
Remember to shoot close up and far away… a nice wide-angle zoom lens can come in handy for equestrian sessions. Some horses like to kick so I don’t recommend getting to close behind them, and some horses don’t like flash as much as they don’t like lightning. Nonetheless, try to capture them at a distance… riding away from you, (like off into the sunset), and riding towards you. Be sure to also capture them up close… the eyes, the mane, the mouth, and the markings on both horse and rider. :)
While you are there be sure to look around and shoot interesting objects that may not be the rider or the horse you are there for, but things that pertain to the lifestyle of the combination. Bridals or halters hanging from a nail on the wall, a saddle over the fence, bails of hay stacked in the corner, chickens, kittens, puppies, and even other horses with their heads peeking through a stall door or window.
Finally, remember to capture the love between the two! Capture the way the rider looks at the horse. Capture the way the horse looks at the rider, and any connection you can find or create between the two of them. You may even capture the connection between two horses… whether they like each other or not. Not only will these make great shots for your portfolio… I guarantee the rider will purchase them every time!
Yee-haw!
Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy
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