Jersey photographer: how to photograph a horse
Horses are elegant, strong, intelligent and magnificent. It’s no wonder that for centuries humans have admired them, outlining them in cave paintings, shaping them into statues, sewing them into tapestries, brushing them into artwork, and carving them into hillsides.
Photographing these majestic animals is a privilege. As a photographer based in Jersey in the Channel Islands, I have been lucky enough to photograph horses and their owners set against the backdrop of our beautiful beaches, meadows and forests.
Here I share my top 10 tips on how to photograph these stunning animals, illustrated with photos from a very special shoot with Poppy and her horses.
Relax into the photoshoot
Horses are incredibly tuned into our emotions and body language. If you are at all anxious or fearful during a photoshoot, they will pick up on this and it could unsettle them too. Being calm and confident during the photoshoot, will ensure they trust you and you can photograph them at their best.
2. Prioritise safety
A handler will know their horse best, and as beautiful as horses are, they can be unpredictable. During a session I will be led by the handler, keep my distance with a zoom lens, and avoid any sudden movements or noises. I usually arrive to a session early to ensure the horse has time to get accustomed to me before I begin photographing, and will get them used to my camera's shutter sound by taking a few clicks in the presence of their handler while they reassure them.
3. The right lens
Having the right equipment will make for a beautiful photo, but not if you first don’t understand the basic elements of how to take that photo - light, camera settings, composition, location.
As a professional photographer, my go-to lens for a horse photoshoot is my 70-200mm lens. It means I can give the horse plenty of space, the clicking of the lens is quieter as I am further away, there is no distortion of the image (this can look very weird with horses!), and I can get beautiful blurring of the background to make my subject stand out.
4. Choosing the right location
When finding a location for a horse photoshoot, I seek out areas that are quiet and off the beaten path, to avoid people and dogs that might spook a horse. My favourite backgrounds are those where the sun is peeping through trees behind my subject and bathes them in ethereal sunlight, or a big expanse of sand and water which makes them really stand out.
5. Choosing the right lighting
Early morning or the few hours before sunset work best for horse photography, as the light then is softer and more flattering. Plus, there are likely to be fewer people and dogs around at that time.
6. Bring an assistant
Having an assistant with you on a horse photoshoot can be invaluable to get their attention; ideally this is someone that the horse knows well. They can stand behind you, call their name, or to rustle a bag to get their attention.
7. Ears up
Try to time your photographs when the horses ears are up, as this will ensure they look happy and alert.
8. Look for the detail
Full body shots of horses show them in all their glory, but don’t forget the little details that can be incredibly beautiful. An owners hand resting on them, their expressive eyes, or their ears. The horse in this photoshoot, Sassy, had the most incredible eye colouring, with one ice blue eye and the other a hazelnut brown - so I was definitely going to get that shot!
9. Capture that beautiful connection
Take time to photograph the special bond between an owner and their horse. This was my second time photographing Poppy and her horses. The first time I photographed her was probably one of my favourite photoshoots I have ever done, so I knew this one would be equally special. Poppy has autism, and the most incredible bond with her animals, and absolutely blossoms when she is with them. I feel like I am not just photographing a girl and her horses, but something much more meaningful - a connection between a human and an animal that is really quite something.
10. Take some silhouettes
Horses have beautiful silhouettes. Wait until the sun is just setting, and then get down low and shoot straight into the sun to capture these striking shots.
If you are based in Jersey and would like a photoshoot with your horse, I would love to hear from you. My photoshoots are incredibly relaxed, follow your lead, and aim to bring out your horse’s personality and the gorgeous bond between you.