Blog: sessions, travel, education and more
2021 Christmas Wreath Session | North Texas Equine Photographer
My yearly blog for my Christmas Countdown, this year I celebrate by 5th year of doing one. Many of these were on my social media Christmas Countdown. Many I could not post until after Christmas morning and there were just many others that there wasn’t enough days in the Countdown to share. I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I do every year.
TLC Got Styled: Equestrian Styled Shoots
When my friends and fellow photographers asked me if I wanted to join them in doing a styled shoot, I was like heck yeah! Our first one we did at Morningstar Ranch in Pilot Point was a big success! With tons of great feedback from the photographers and models that attended. Our fall Styled Shoot is planned for 10/30/2021 and we have some great looks planned. Since it is right before the holidays we have a Spooky, Fall, Holiday and Romanic look. More looks in the works! Plus we re having a Model Contest for someone that would love the model expereince.
There were 21 photographers, 5 models, 5 horses and 9 looks at the spring shoot. The fall shoot will have even more!
Below are some of the photos taken at the spring event and our style boards for some of our planned looks for the fall shoot! These were taken by my friends & I that make up the TLC name: Terri Cage Photography, Lynn Schwab Photography and Cailin Demura Photography
To see photos from us and other photographer plus us #tlcgotstyle21 on your favorite social media platform
Devin & Chaser | Equestrian Fashion | North Texas
Deven & Chaser have been my equine and equestrian models several times and I always enjoy working with them. Devin contacted me to schedule a regular equestrian portrait session . I love Devin’s style and since she is also a makeup artist, her makeup was perfect. Chaser is always fun to photograph, he has so personality and is quite the character. Plus he does tricks!
Equestrian Session in the Fort Worth Stockyards
Stephanie & McGee were in Fort Worth for the APHA World Show. She was willing to haul her horse early in the morning to the Stockyards for some unique backdrops.
University of North Texas Graduation Photos | Rachel & Cookie
I am finding college graduation photos becoming more popular. I have done plenty of The University of North Texas graduation photo, but usually then are done on campus. So when Rachel wanted them done at her boyfriends ranch with a horse I was happy to help her out.
Senior Session with Horses | Flower Mound Texas
We did Jennifer’s senior session at her barn, Summer Hill Farms in Flower Mound. Summer Hill is quickly becoming a favorite place for me to photograph. Every time I shoot there I find new spots. Well kept and beautiful landscaped and super friendly people.
Jennifer impressed me by having everything organized and managed to get two horses and herself ready for the photo session. Loved her outfits and one I liked so much, I bought for my client style closet.
Kristen & Dublin | Senior Session with a Horse | Prosper Texas
Kristen is multi talented! Not only an accomplished equestrian, she is a high rated archer and completely blew me away as I photographed her as she hit the small target. I love when senior sessions have so much variety, the answer is yes you can include everything. Your dog, your horse, your prom dress, your sports activities. Yes yes yes!
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.
Delaney & Hank | Heart Horse | Pilot Point Texas
If you are a horse owner and lucky enough to find your heart horse, by all means have an equine portrait session. I was 15 when I got my heart horse, he was 5 and I lost him when he was 33. Yes I have a few photos of the horse, but mostly just snapshots of him. Nothing of us together, I regret not having some professional photos done of us together.
So glad Delaney will have these to cherish forever. The horse-human bond between these two was strong and could see the trust they had with each other. Although Hank has been retired for awhile and hasn’t been ridden for a few years, Delaney confidence in him to get on bareback for a few poses.
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
Sam | Senior Session | Denton Texas
I love doing senior portrait sessions with a good variety of locations. At Sams session we got all this with just a a few miles of each other. Some urban looks at Historic Downtown Plano and park and then headed over to Prairie Creek Park for the beautiful flowers and waterfall. Some nature, urban and a whole lot of purple.
Rachel UNT Graduate | Denton Texas
I did more than normal amount of collage graduation photos this year. I am glad that collage graduates are also celebrating such a big milestone in photos. I love that Rachel included her dog and boyfriend in her photos, instead of the ever so popular champagne and confetti. Which I say signs of with bottle tops and confetti on the ground. Note to photographers: Pick up after yourself, ok rant over,
Tate & Will | Senior Pictures with Her Horse | Plano Texas
I love when clients ask me back to do siblings senior portraits. I did Tate’s sister’s senior portraits several years ago so was excited to come back. Different horse and different location, but the same friendly family. Not only is Tate an active equestrian that is committed to Hollins, just like her sister before her, she is also a talented Lacrosse player. So we where able to incorporate all of that into her session. After a few reschedules due to Covid we where able to get her session done. The day was windy and we lost the sun early due to some storms moving in, which ended up be rather severe, but we finished in time and I loved the results
Location: Elmstead Farm, Plano Texas
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!
Jacob | Class of 2020 | Frisco Texas
Jacob was my first session following the Covid shutdown. Like many of my Senior sessions this year we had to delay. Although it felt strange to be out and about, since I did stay at home the whole time, but it was also great to get out. When the stay at home happened it was still the end of winter, so I was loving how green everything was.
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.
