Blog: sessions, travel, education and more
Photographing a Champion: Youth Rider Session at the APHA World Show in North Texas
There’s something special about young riders—their determination, their bond with their horses, and that spark of pure joy when they enter the arena. I had the incredible opportunity to capture a passionate youth equestrian who will be competing at this year’s APHA World Show.
Capturing Youth Riders: Walk-Trot Equestrian Photography in Pilot Point, TX
There’s something truly special about photographing youth riders—especially those that will be showing in the Walk-Trot division at the American Paint Horse Youth World Show in Fort Worth, Texas. These young equestrians, often just beginning their competitive journey, radiate an excitement and joy that’s simply contagious
2020 Christmas Wreath Sessions | North Texas Equine Photographer
I look forward to doing these every year. Owners love having their equine friends dressed up for Christmas and having professional photos so they can share with their friends on-line and personalized Christmas cards.
What I also love is sharing these photos on my social media pages by doing my annual 25 day Christmas Countdown starting Dec 1. It is very popular, especially on Facebook with almost 2 million views and 24,000 shares and so many people messaging me, thanking for posting these festive photos.
I appreciate everyone who had me out to photograph their horse and all the support from everyone following me.
Many of these I have posted this month, but some can be seen for the first time.
Photographer Model Calls | Why I do them.
I do a lot of model calls and have large group of models I work with. In fact I have a Facebook Group for model calls. I have over 100 members of the group, most in the North Texas area, but others from all over in case I want to do a model call when I travel too.
Why do I have them?
Some photographers use this as a way to boost their income. I have done this in the past, but not something I like to do. That is not my main focus of model calls. Yes some of my models do book a regular session later or buy photos from the model shoot, but they do get discounts off the sessions they book and the products.they buy. They can also earn products with my referral program with points system and purchase products with their points.
So what is my referral program? It’s a points earning system, the more they post on social media the more points they get. Refer someone to me and the get points. They need to keep track of their points, I recommend they develop their own hashtag to keep track of post.
What type of model calls do I do?
Equestrian; Were the focus is on the equestrian with their horse. Some call it horse & rider sessions, but I prefer equestrian sessions as not all equestrians are riders. I will also call them horse and humans sessions. It all depends on your definition of equestrian. These can be range from casual portraits, action under saddle or lifestyle.
Equine; Horses of all breeds. Can be conformation, liberty, headshots, pasture and more.
Model; Only a person or couple or even a family, no horses.
Reasons I do model calls.
Practice: Even though I have been doing this for many years, you can never have too much practice. Especially during slow seasons. I will admit that I loose motivation when I am not busy, so this is a way to get the motivation back. Also keeps me sharp and in “shooting” shape.
Example: After the lock-down last spring, I realized not shooting sessions for almost 2 months I lost the stamina to do a long session. I did a practice session with my daughter when the announced that we would be able to open up again soon and glad I did.
Stock Images: I sell a lot of stock images and their are certain type of images that don’t happen during photo sessions so I will do a model call for these.
Example: I visited a local equine vet and photographed a few procedures.
Need stock images visit my stock image site.
Creative outlet: Sometime I want to try something a little different for my own personal project. Usually involves some sort of props.
Example: Did a July 4th shoot with smoke bombs, earlier in the year-lots and lots of glitter. Every Halloween on of my assistants comes up a great shoot, which is more her creativity, I just find creative ways to photograph it.
Marketing & Social Media; I might need models for an event or other marketing material. Also when I post on my business page for a model call it gets so much interaction it always helps my social media algorithms.
Example: I have family mini sessions planned at a new location and needed images for my website and Facebook event page. I also did a promo video earlier this year.
Want to learn more on social media marketing visit my class on EPN.
Photography education/styled shoots: I do a yearly 3 day workshop and need numerous models. I also need models for mentor sessions, classes and video recordings for webinars. Styled shoots as well require models.
Example: Having a model for a mentor session so I can explain posing, using light is much better than just describing the methods.
Interested in equine photography education, visit my website.
Area I notice I am not getting a response from: I live in areas where there are more horse saturated than other areas. Those more saturated areas I have plenty of clients and get referrals from them. When I notice I am not getting referrals from certain location I will find some one in that area and reach out to them.
Example: My own hometown I have noticed a drastic drop in Senior sessions . I my kids where my referral system, but they graduated awhile back and I haven’t followed up on getting sessions here. I reached out to someone looking on my town’s Facebook group and have them scheduled for a model shoot soon.
My website: I have a style closet that I offer clients to borrow from and need photos of the items. I also want images of locations I shoot at.
Visit my Style Closet.
For fun: I enjoy what I do and love to shoot with other photographers that have the same passion as me. If I have a photographer friend coming into town and wants to shoot, I am glad a I have some great models to call on to set something up.
All the images on this blog where from recent model calls
Ranch Call | Youth World Show Ad Photos | Pilot Point Texas
Christensen Show Horses - Pilot Point Texas
Cara & Optimized & Its ALl Bhind The Zipr
Gabrielle & My Man Delivered Roses
Sydney & See You at Seven
Lexi & Charlie Did It
Peyton & Platinum Cowgirl
Addison & Slightly Fancy
Emma & Pumpkin
Haley & Xander
I have been photographing for Chad & Shane Christensen of Christensen Show Horses in Pilot Point Texas for years and always a pleasure. I love watching this young ladies grown through the years and celebrate their accomplishments. Good luck at the Shows!
Adrieen & Prince | Gypsy Horse & Equestrian Model
When I saw Adrieen post photos of Prince on her Facebook page, I immediately contacted to say let’s do a photoshoot. Adrieen is one of my equestrian models and is always up for a shoot. We where lucky enough to photograph Prince two different times before he left for his home back East. First shoot was at the ranch she works at in Gainesville and the then we did some at the Fort Worth Stockyards, where Prince gathered quite a lot of attention.
Kira | Argyle Senior Session with Her Horse.
Kira has been on my model team for several years now. She has a beautiful smile, great style and the camera loves her. And can you tell she loves pink? We did several sessions her senior year at different locations is the DFW area. We did some at the historical downtown Carrolton, Perry Farm and them at her horse’s trainer near Lake Worth.
Kristyn Harris : 3-time IWMA Entertainer of the Year and her Mustang
This was my second time to photograph Krysten & Velvet. This one had a big Texas vibe and loved it. Mustang, bluebonnets , western clothes & music!
Kim & Her Arabian Horse | Argyle Equestrian Session
Kim’s session was a gift from her best friend and sister. It was a very windy they day, it was a great session. She had her horse, Bear, well prepared and she had some great outfits picked out. I was IN LOVE with her leather jacket that she had custom made in Italy. The session was located at her barn in Copper Canyon and it had some beautiful trees which did help with the wind.
Kelly & Rio | An Equestrian Photo Session
Kelly is one of my equestrian models and I love how much preparation she put into her photo session. Each outfit was thought out for her horse’s color, the location and the look she wanted. Kelly made a beautiful floral wreath for her horse, Rio. She did an instructional video on Instagram how she made it too. We her session at Bay Yard Farms in Bartonville, Texas.
Kaitlyn and Her Four Horses!
We did Kaitlyn’s photos with each of the 4 horse’s separately for her to use in a variety of show ads. One of the ads, designed by EM Designs, had all 4 horses it and she posted on her Instagram feed “Too many horses??? No such thing.” Kaitlyn shows under the guidance of Gillespie Show Horses in Whitesboro Texas. Kaitlyn competes in both AQHA & APHA.
Mikayla & Greg's Proposal; Equestrian Style
Greg gave Mikayla & her horse Lucy a photo session for Mikayla's birthday, but he had a special surprise of his own.
APHA Youth World Show Photos | Pilot Point Texas
I have been photographing Christensen Show Horse’s Youth Kids for several years now. I enjoy seeing these kids grow and how they improve each year. I always look forward to seeing each of them do at the Show . These are hard working kids and their accomplishments reflect that.
Cara!
Izzy
Emily
Katy & Zielger - Saying Good Bye Equestrian Session
This was a tough session for Katy, she was in the process of selling Ziegler and realized she never had photos with him. We did a quick session, she wanted some images of both of them together and some of just him. He was with her trainer at KB Ranch in Aubrey Texas when we did the session the trees did not have many leaves yet. I knew KB Ranch had plenty cedar trees so I tried to utilize . those for the background. In between the time when we took the photos and when we met to view the photos, Katy sold Zielger and I could tell she missed him as the tears welled up in her eyes. I have to admit, I did the same. I have been there, selling a horse is never easy no matter the reason. Ziegler is beautiful and loud colored American Paint Horse with tons of personality, so I can understand why the tears.
Caitlin & Anthony | Engagement Session with Horses | Aubrey Texas
I have know Caitlin since my horse judging coaching days. I did her Senior portraits and she has been one of my equestrian models several times. I very excited to do her engagement session, especially since she wanted her & Anthony’s e-session to be with her horses. The red dress she wore looked so good against the early fall colors.
