Your horse
To look it's very best in the photo, you want your horse to be clean - and I mean sparkling! Preferrably give them a bath the day before and a good groom before I get there, from head to toe. Most of my clients choose to not plait their horse, unless they are commissioning just a portrait of the horse. When I am photographing you and your horse together, we are looking to capture your relationship and a more causal look with loose mane tends to be more suitable for this.
After you spent all that time cleanign your horse, don't forget about the tack! We most likely won't be using your saddle, but I would recommend to clean it just in case. What we will use is a bridle and/or a smart headcollar, preferrably in black or brown leather. Headcollars and lead ropes should ideally be in neautral colours like black, brown, navy or dark green. If you are a dressage diva, please feel free to bandage the legs, but just as with the plaits - most of the times I photograph the horses naked with just a bridle or headcollar on.
If your horse is excitable and normally have problems standing still, you might want to exercise them before the session - or give them a short turn out if they will stay clean. I have no problems working with excitable horses, but taking the edge off will give them a more enjoyable experience.
And what about you
Most of my clients wants a couple of outfits to get some more variety in their photos, normally something a bit more causal and something quite smart. I'm happy to give advice on what will work and what is less suitable, but the most important thing is that you feel good and comfortable with what you are wearing. I have previously written a blog post specifically about what to wear for your session - so please have a look here for some more advise.
When it comes to hair and make-up, you should do what you feel comfortable with and what feels like you. For some people that is getting hair and make-up professionally done, and some prefer to stay more natural. If you want help finding someone to do your hair and make-up, I'm happy to do so.
Get a good nights sleep, drink plenty of fluids the day before and then you have done everything you can! Now it is time for you to relax and enjoy the experience together with your horse.
To learn more about how I can help you, get in touch for a chat.
