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.

North Texas Senior Portraits | Bartonville Patriot with horses

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.