Picture this- you arrive at a yard. All you can see is a flat grass field and an average stable block- and you panic! “Where on earth am I going to place my clients?!” You then just fluff your way through the day with no idea where to direct yourself- let alone your client.
The proof is in the pudding- we have created awesome shots from all sorts of locations, from a flat field with electric fencing, to the most magnificent yards you have ever seen. This is because we have become experienced in how to work our environments. Photographically, the rickety old, run-down yard is our FAVOURITE! These give so many amazing backgrounds and textures to play with.
Lets have a look at the example below. This series gets you to start thinking about how you an transform that simple stable-shot into your client’s favourite. Stables are AWESOME to shoot in because they are so versatile.
The owner is asked to lean against the stable wall and put her foot up on the side. This is a nice, relaxed shot and it would be shown to the client.
Notice how in the next cropped-in image, the edge of the stable door creates a really lovely texture to frame the pair. The horse and owner still look beautiful, but you can see the shot is improved.
The next image is just that bit more special again. It is shot from a crouched position and is much more intimate. This is the kind of shot owners want on their wall!
Luckily for us, this horse was perfectly behaved, so the owner was more than happy to remove his head collar. You almost forget this is shot in a stable. The natural light that falls on the subjects is so stunning and is hard to replicate in other locations.
Next time you are using the simple stable as a location, think about how you can play around with angles and crops- take your shots from good, to GREAT!
If you still think you struggle with location scouting or making the most out of each location, check out our upcoming action-packed 2-day course!
This comes up time and time gain- many delegates feel like they’re lacking in confidence- you have the perfect horse, owner and location- but just don’t know how to work it, and don’t know what to do with the subjects.
You start to feel pressure that your client is expecting you to start taking photos- so you just end up taking photos that aren’t well planned or executed, and when you get home, you’re disappointed because it didn’t quite work.
This all comes down to lack of confidence in knowing how to work with, and pose your client. As you become more confident in your posing skills, it will be easier for you to start analysing your posing in more depth…
Take a look at the shot below. This is a perfectly good shot that we would 100% include in a viewing. The owner and horse are smiling nicely, she is leaning on the gate and looks easy, the horse looks nice- take the photo.
Time to think- how else can the image be elevated? In the image below, I have crouched down, eliminated the gravel track, and asked client to sit on the gate. This creates a more dynamic shot. The horse still looks great. But notice how changing the angle slightly and changing the owner’s pose has totally uplifted the image.
We want you to start being more confident and think this way- take that first image- but consider how can you enhance it to make it just a little bit better.
What you’ll find, when going through the viewing process- they will more than likely choose the second image to be framed or put in an album- they themselves don’t quite know why, but they just know they like it better!
Unplanned moments can sometimes make the BEST shots!
If you are too busy changing your settings on your camera or fiddling around trying to find a snack in your bag- you will miss these moments!
They often happen when you have shot your main set of images, and you’re just about to put your camera down. Then something funny or cute will happen…the image below is a prime example!
Hannah had just finished a lovely set of images with this owner and her horse in the stable. She went to move the horse out of the stable and he gave her a quick nuzzle and a kiss- catching the owner completely by surprise and sending her into fits of giggles!
Moments like these can’t be staged or posed. Always be ready to capture these little moments and don’t let anything distract you!
We cannot stress the importance of this enough. Over the years, we have become pretty hot on this! It is so so vital that you direct your clients into the exact poses you want, or often your descriptions will get lost in translation!
So, lets set the scene…
You see a gorgeous location that you think will be perfect for your client and her horse. There is a cute little log in a beautifully lit area in the woods. You can envisage exactly what you want…the client to sit on the log, with her horse cuddling into her.
However- when trying to explain this to your client, they don’t quite get your vision. They are sitting awkwardly and the horse is standing too far away.
You could spend the next 5 minutes shouting instructions at your client, but in the end, you’re wasting everyone’s time- yours included.
Find a location, then physically put yourself where you want client to be. Walk over to that area, show them where to position the horse, stand exactly where you want the client to stand, then shoot! Even down to the finer details like where to put their hands, where to put their feet- these are vital, and often, clients don’t know how to pose themselves- they need YOUR direction!
The horse position- find a location, put horse and owner in
it, see where the horse naturally stands- then quickly match a post next to
their horse- some horses aren’t as relaxed or like standing still for long,
Make sure that directions are clear and positive! Stand up tall! Keep smiling! Look at your horse! Look at me! Keep looking through your camera, adjust if needs be, and capture!
Posing can be a real bug-bear when it comes to shooting on location, and so many photographers get really worried about it- it’s so simple when you have structure and confidence! A big part of our 2 day Foundation of Photography Course is focussed on posing your clients to ensure you get the BEST shots- check it out!
When you train you eye to really see the best of your area, you are already winning! Try and work out how it what you can use around you, and how it will look with a horse and owner in it…
Natural frames
This is the art of spotting natural areas that can frame your subjects. Overhanging trees, walkways, stables/barn doors, archways, leading lines….. these are all key things to look out for, and more often than not, you will have access to plenty at your client’s yard. Here are some examples for you…
Use natural props…
Often, owners who have not been photographed before will be quite anxious in front of the camera (unless they’re a professional model already!!) and this can often come across in photos. They usually feel much more comfortable leaning or sitting, than just standing, staring at you blankly!
Get owners to sit on, or lean up against props. Logs, gates, trees, chairs, walls, mounting blocks, sleepers… you get it!
Do you often struggle to get your clients looking comfortable on shoots? Not sure about how best to pose your clients? We have the PERFECT course for you. Our brand new 2 day group training allows you to get the best out of your clients, and produce the best images. Check it out here…
This is something I didn’t even realise was a secret until really recently. I was teaching a group of delegates on location and said to them…’don’t forget to find your square!!’….
The fact that I was met with 6 blank faces made me realise they had NO idea what I was on about!
SO, when shooting at a client’s yard, I am always looking for locations that are roughly 2m x 2m- a square. As you can see from the image below, we have scouted a barn with lots of straw bales. However, I don’t want the whole scene in. There are some distractions either side like the pillars and some untidy areas- I want to zoom to capture one small area.
Provided there is a 2mx2m area of something beautiful- I will put my clients there!
There is always the option to shoot wide, then crop in during post-production. However, sometimes you don’t get the shot you expected when you crop in after- you can miss the intensity and connection between horse and owner.
Try to implement this rule on your next shoot and see how you get on! Or if you think you need more help staging the perfect shots, check out our upcoming 2 day group training course!
The most important lesson I ever learned is to NOT be underprepared! I remember when I turned up to one of my first shoots, and halfway through my battery died….but I had NOT packed a spare!! Embarrassingly, I had to borrow a camera off one of the guests at the party… I have never forgotten this, and it taught me to be over-prepared, if anything!
Before you leave for a shoot, make sure all your kit works- this may seem like a REALLY obvious thing- but if you turn up and your cards/batteries/ lenses are not working- you will be the ONLY person responsible!
Stay consistent with your kit and camera settings- one camera, one lens, minimal changes, camera settings. A 70-200mm lens is a must have in our eyes.
Always have a box of tricks. You’ll need an assistant… mainly to help with organisation, but also to help get the horse’s ears pricked. This is a key element on an equine shoot. The best tools we’ve found to get a horse’s attention is tupperware full of gravel, polos, a noisy crisp packet, and a bucket of nuts- what is in your box of tricks?
Always have a creative notebook- when you arrive at your location, take a walk and note any locations you see that stand out. A notebook is also handy for writing down names of your client’s horses…and the 5 dogs, 4 cousins and group of friends that turn up and want to get involved in the shoot!
There are so many bits and bobs I HAVE to take with me when I turn up for a shoot on location. Do you struggle to plan for shoots? Feel like you are underprepared? Let us walk you through the planning process and ensure you are always prepared and confident for your equine photoshoots- check out our awesome Foundations of Equine Photography Course
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