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A Cloudy Morning with a Rose Grey Beauty: Equine Session Spotlight
There’s something undeniably captivating about a rose grey horse—especially when that horse is a graceful Quarter Horse mare with a calm demeanor and the elegance of a true athlete. Recently, I had the privilege of photographing one such mare during a stunning morning equine session. I never mind clouds when it comes to grey horses—there's something about the soft light that suits them perfectly. So when the skies turned overcast, I welcomed it.
Sale Horse and Conformation Photos in North Texas
Horse Sale photos are not the main thing I do, but I do plenty of them. When I do conformation shots, 2 edit images come with my sales package. I do require at least 3 horses. The images you can choose from are profile, headshot, opposite side profile, 3/4 quarters from front or back. The most popular combination being a profile and headshot. I will also include an unedited direct front and back, but you must ask for these. Knowing a horse conformation, breed and disciplines is important in getting the shot right, but there are other factors that g into a go quality conformation photos. Leg placement and expression are extremely important. Other important factors are neck and head placement. If your discipline has a low head carriage, but your horse looks better with a higher carriage, which should you go with?
Somethings I look for before we even start; 1) light, I like to have the sun behind me and really pay attention to the direction of shadows. 2) for the background, I like a clean background preferably no fence, which is hard to do. Either lot of sky or trees. A pretty barn can make a good backdrop as well. 3) I always pay attention to the ground as some breeds and disciplines want to see the feet. I look for low spot and slopes in the ground. Placed incorrectly on unlevel ground or a effect the topline and legs.
Having a good team is important. I try to bring and assistant, but do not always have one available, so it is good to have one on hand just in case. I like 3 people; me, the handler and a person to set legs and get ears up. More than that confuses everyone and makes the horse nervous. Occasionally some horses need a barn buddy so we will need someone to be holding the buddy horse nearby.
Horse should be clean, well groomed, clipped and depending on your discipline a braided or banded mane. A plain leather halter is my 1st choice and keep a few with me. If you have someone getting horses ready in-between horses is great, if not all horses should be read, other than last minute touchups, before for the shoot starts so we don’t run out of good light.
Editing includes simple lead rope removal and background cleanup. Also included in person removal as long as person doesn’t overlap behind or in front of horse.
If you wan more than the 2 images, we can shoot for more angles, but we may go over time and will cause extra fees for time and image.
I will capture some fun BTS images if I can. Those are always fun to look back on!
If you are needing sale or conformation photos please contact me.
If you want to learn more about sale horse and conformation photography, check out my on-line courses.
Behind the Scenes | My Assistants
Good equine photography doesn’t just happen “most” of the time. It really takes a team. I have several assistants that I work with regularly and it makes my job so much easier. I can do sessions without an assistant if I need to, but everything is smoother and less stressful with a photography assistant. Sometimes I gain an additional assistant from the client’s trainer, assistant trainer, friend or family member.
My assistants wear many hats; getting ears up and horse’s attention, touch up of models, holding and leading horses, setting up equipment, getting supplies, behind the scene video and photos and so much more. Helping with my workshop, keeping me organized and even cooking. My appreciation for them is limitless!! Many many thanks!
If you are interested in becoming a TCP assistant in the North Texas area and have horse experience ask to join my assistant pool via private Facebook Group.
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.
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.
Reagan & Amber | Young Cowgirl Equestrian Session
Reagan is the cutest! I needed to do some product shots and she volunteered . Of course we did some shots for fun.
Byron & Storm | Equine Best Friends
I get so many messages whenever I post Instagram Stories that have Byron and Storm in them. I thought I would tell a little about them. Their constant playing is very entertaining and I find myself watching them out my back window way too much. I have to admit getting videos isn't always easy, as the minute I step out my back door they stop playing and come to the fence. They are a "little" spoiled and expect treats when they see me.
A back story on these two and how they became such good friends... We had Storm first; we bought him as a yearling nine years ago for a companion for my daughter's mini, Trooper. I say 'bought,' but I think we rescued him. He was in a 30' x10' pen with 20 other minis. He was the smallest and obviously the bottom of the pecking order. He was thin, the weight of his long mane caused his neck to lay over and his pasterns were very weak. He obviously lacked the nutrition he needed. There were fancier minis in the pen but my husband, daughter and myself decided he needed to come home with us. Storm and Trooper became great friends as well and played often - not as much as Byron and Storm, but did like to pretend they were wild stallions. At least that is what we would joke about.
We bought Byron as an eight-year-old as a show horse for my daughter, Mary, to move up on. Mary showed Byron for a while and they did very well. Byron is one of the sweetest horses and his personality made him a favorite for us.
How Storm and Byron came together is rather sad, but does have a happy ending... A few weeks before Appaloosa Nationals, Byron was injured. This injury would require a minimum of 6-9 months stall rest. We ended up purchasing another horse for Mary to compete on. The new horse and Mary did very well together and he became her new show horse. We decided to bring Byron home, as we all liked him too much to sell him.
About the same time all of this was happening, we lost Trooper to colic. Storm was depressed from the loss of his companion and we decided to move things around and turn out Byron in the pen next to Storm. It took a few days but both seemed to enjoy each other's company by standing next to each other. Although Storm never was kept in the barn and Byron was the only horse in the barn, we decided to move Storm into the stall next to Byron at night to keep each other company. Now they were next to each other 24/7, being turned out and stalled at the same times. After a few weeks we tried to put them together. I was apprehensive about this, as there is such a size difference. After all, Byron is 16hh and Storm is barely 33". They got along just fine; sometimes it looks like Byron gets a little rough, but he is very gentle with Storm. It's Storm that can get a little rough and likes to show who the boss is.
They have been best friends for a couple years now and I do my best to find good safe toys to keep them entertained. I have learned nothing is safe and will play with anything that comes close their pen. Broken tree branches, a hose too close and even rocks have all become toys.
Storm and Trooper shortly after we got Storm
Storm and Trooper being "wild stallions"
Byron during his show career
Trooper was my Christmas card model on year
Byron on the cover of the Appaloosa Journal.
Bella & Bailey | Prosper Equestrian | Equine Portraits
Another beautiful morning session! Couldn't have asked for a better day for Bailey's session. It was a little cool, but it was a relief from the hot summer-like days we have been having. We did Bailey & Bella's equestrian photoshoot at Prospering Farms in Prosper, Texas, where she boards Bella. Bailey came out ready to go in super cute dress leading Bella. Bella was a grey almost white horse, but was clean & shiney! Having owned and currently owning horses of this color, I know how much work it takes. We started out at the treeline since we had such beautiful morning light. After a couple clothing changes, we moved to the barn door aisle and did some black background portraits. We did some great equine portraits of Bella as well. Always great to have some fine art to hang in your house that is of something you love!
To book a session like this, contact Terri Cage Photography
Streakin Lil Wayne | AQHA | Barrel Racing | Stallion Promotion
"Streakin Lil Wayne" by A Streak Of Fling out of Lady Bug Biankus (1D barrel/pole winning mare, full sibling to Wrangler Biankus) FUTURE FORTUNES STALLION!
•Streakin Lil Wayne is FUTURE FORTUNES
•100% color producer in 2017
•In training and PIF to BFA Juvenile and $lot
•Sired by A Streak of Fling
•Out of proven 1D barrel mare, 19 second pole horse, she is proven producer.
•Dam is full sibling to Wranglers Biankus, BBR 1D Shootout Champion/American Qualifier
PUT SOME COLOR IN YOUR HERD
Lil Wayne is 15 hands, straight and compact. Mind and talent. Looking forward to a bright future with this colt.
Contact Red Hot Running Horses for more info.
Kristen, Reggie & Katniss | Equine Photographer | Cave Creek Arizona
I photographed Kristen and her horses. Real Good Reason "Reggie" and Fancy N My Stilettos "Katniss." We used her ranch for the photoshoot. Due to more than normal rain this year the landscape was very colorful and made a wonderful backdrop. She showed me here arena and some of the best Saguaro Cactus surrounded the edge. Kristen was preparing for AQHA shows and shows under the guidance of Reid Thomas Performance Horses.
