Amazing Tips to Find the Perfect Style for Your Equestrian Portrait Session

Photography. The gift of memories. 

You probably have so many favorites. Your wedding day. The birth of your child. Your mare's newborn foal wobbling to a stand. Seeing a wild herd for the first time. Winning your first silver buckle at the state fair roping cattle.

"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything." ~Aaron Siskind

What a gift.

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As time passes memories fade. Children grow up. Things change. 

Photography gives us the opportunity to remember. When kids were little and ate with their chubby little hands. When your husband proposed on the most magical day. After a long trail ride. To the exact spot where your photographer waited. Hiding. Ready to stop time. 

A gift not just for you and your children, but also generations to come. A glimpse into the past to learn about great grandma and great grandpa on the day where their story began. 

Your professional photographer’s goal is to create a story behind each photo. To make your memories last forever. 

Here are a few tips to help you pick the perfect outfit to match your story behind the lens. 

5 Tips for Choosing A Compelling Outfit for Your Equestrian Photoshoot So You Fall in Love with Your Images

1. What are you trying to capture with your equine photography session, and why NOW?

Moments in life pass by so quickly. Beautiful images help us remember each one.

Are you at a time in your life where EVERYONE in your family loves riding and bonding with your horses? Do you want a family portrait with your horses to hang over your fireplace, or in your foyer? Helping you capture a moment in time.

Do you want senior portraits of your daughter with her champion cutting horse? Before she goes off to college. Images to remember the hard work and dedication she poured into her horse and sport.

Are you looking for a keepsake of your little family farm — the farm you’ve always dreamed of? Pictures that reflect “a day in the life” with your family and horses. 

Or, are you trying to savor a moment? Like when your six-year-old son commands the presence of his trusty steed by himself? A story you will enjoy looking back on when he is eighteen.

Knowing the reason behind choosing to hire a professional equine photographer helps with the planning process. 

Once you have a plan, the outfits you choose to wear during your portrait session help develop the story behind each photo. 

2. Mix but don’t match

For a family photo, you want everyone to look and feel their best. You want to love how you look on that 30x40 every time you walk into the living room. Memories flooding your mind of a specific time in your life with your family and four-leggeds.

Here’s a great way to plan your family’s outfits: Don’t match. Instead, coordinate your color theme. Pick a color combination for your family to work within. You don’t want everyone to match perfectly, or wear a single color. You also don’t want everyone wearing different colors and patterns. Choose wardrobe pieces to complement each other. Throw in some accent colors for contrast. 

Think about what will look best with your horse's color and tack.

Avoid patterns. Go for earth tones, textures, and solid colors. These are the most classic & timeless and will guarantee your outfits are still in style years from now - Rather than a trend! It's also best to aim for layers in your clothing to provide visual interest, texture, and movement. Whatever you choose, consider including horse safe shoes to protect your toes.

Will you ride your horse, or stand by his side? If you decide to be on your horse’s back, pick a dress that won’t ride up too high. Add a touch of elegance with a dress that flows on your horse’s back and sides. 

Senior portraits should capture the personality of your child embarking on adulthood. Show off their maturity and poise. Your senior is probably asking “what should I wear for my horse photo shoot?” Encourage your senior to pick a casual outfit, a semi-formal outfit, and a formal one. Or even show clothes. Highlight their personality and zest for life. 

3. Color Combinations

When picking colors for your photo session look for colors that are a few shades darker or lighter than your horse's color. 

Black and gray horses can easily pull off bold and dramatic colors.

Grey horses pair best with dark colors like deep sapphire, emerald, or burgundy. Stay away from neutral colors as they will blend in with your horse.

Lighter colors are best for dark horses to contrast their coat. White, light pastels, icy colors, even light vibrant colors work well.

If you have a chestnut or Palomino, go for complementary colors in shades of blue or green. Like aqua, teal, royal blue, navy, and hunter green. Or shades of purple like violet or plum.

If your horse is brown, Buckskin or a Paint, try dark blues, greens, and reds. 

Your photographer’s desire is to create unique equine imagery for you to fall in love with. Be sure to discuss your color choices and see what works best for you and your horse.

4. Pick an outfit to compliment your location

Where is your equine photo session going to take place? 

At a stable with huge green barn doors and dormer windows to cast the perfect light at sunrise? Choose a warm color scheme to coincide with the backdrop. Maybe a scarf for a splash of color or accent. 

Use texture to add a classic and timeless style. For example, jeans, boots, a hunter green top, and a tweed coat make the perfect statement as you stand next to your chestnut in his leather halter.

Photos at the beach can be casual, or the right time to make a major statement. With the soft colors of the water, waves, sand, and your dapple grey — be bold and wear a burgundy gown.

In a field? A simple white dress to contrast the majestic beauty of your black Friesian standing together in a meadow. Simple and elegant.

But beware, your photo shoot is not the time to try something new with your horse. Discuss your outfit of choice with your photographer and how to be safe working with your horse. 

We all know horses can be sensitive to new things. Create an environment of safety by desensitizing your horse in advance of the photography session. Make sure you don't have to spend precious shooting time schooling your horse. 

Practice handling your horse, mounting, and dismounting in your outfit of choice before your photo session. Make sure you and your horse are ready. 

Another thing to consider with your location... the WIND. The beach is always windy. So, consider how your clothing and hair will respond to wind. Flowing dresses and hair create beautiful movement in images. But can also be difficult to manage if the horse is uncomfortable in the environment. A gorgeous updo or braid style might be an alternative. 

5. Dress for your Equine Style

What is your equestrian discipline? Western, English, roping, cart ponies, driving, dressage? Your specialized attire makes a statement about who you are and what you love. Want your photos to capture memories specific to your sport? Wear your show clothes or performance clothes for your session.

If you’re decked out in your show clothes, your horse should be too. 

Depending on your discipline, add accessories to make your images stand out even more. Hats, scarves, riding gloves, wild rags, chaps, boots, spurs, jewelry. Even your lariat rope.

Pull out all the stops.

Finally, why not treat yourself to professional hair and makeup for your equine photo session?  

Getting ready for your equine photo session is a big job. Oiling up your saddle and bridle, polishing your boots, and of course, you want your horse to look amazing. But, getting there isn’t the cleanest of jobs. So, after all your hard work whitening your horse’s socks and blaze, how about a little pampering just for you.

Many photographers have professional hair and makeup artist who come to your barn or location. Not only will you look and feel fabulous, but what a great way to wind down and take a breather before your session.  

Whatever your goal… Whatever your style… Fast Horse Photography is here to help you capture images you will enjoy for years to come. Your most cherished memories now and forever. Make an appointment today.