Did You Know Photography is the Best Way to Highlight Your Equestrian Brand?
How to Prepare for Your Equine Branding Photo Shoot
You did it. You actually did it. Yay, YOU!
You created the business you ALWAYS wanted from the ground up. A dream you’ve had since you were a little girl.
By jumping in feet first.
Grabbing the bull by the horns and saying “I’m gonna give this equine business all I got. No holding back. Go big, or go home. NOW or NEVER.”
And, here you are. Woooohoooo!
Great Idea ✔
Business Name ✔
Logo ✔
Solid Business Plan ✔
Financial Plan ✔
Strategic Marketing Ideas ✔
BUT, NOW WHAT?
It’s time to establish a VOICE in your industry, and let the equine world know who YOU are, and what you OFFER.
OK, but...
How do you:
Tell the story of your business?
Show your customers and potential customers what sets you apart in your industry?
Connect with your audience in a deeper way?
Inspire your audience?
Solve a problem for your customers?
Make their life better?
Increase your credibility?
Make your customers lifelong fans?
By Branding Your Horse Business, That’s How
Your brand is a powerful tool to show your audience the ins and outs of your equine business. Reality is, your customers want a brand they can trust and stand behind. They want to feel like they are part of your team. Ultimately, they want to know you care about them and their beloved horse.
When a customer buys your product and has a win, branding creates a sense of belonging. Who doesn’t want to share with ALL their friends how their 35-year-old Appaloosa is thriving on Triple Crown Senior feed?
Build trust and loyalty.
Think about the first Circle Y saddle and matching tack set you bought. Reminisce for a sec. Both hand-tooled and handcrafted leather. You and your horse were sure a sight. Oooh girl, do you remember how proud you felt trotting around with your horse all decked out? That saddle wore in perfectly. Giving you the most comfortable ride of your life. Did you tell your friends? Oh, yes you did. That’s branding, folks. Connect the personality of your business with the personality of your ideal client. Win-Win.
Listen up… your BRAND is not just a logo and your matching Facebook page. Nope, it’s not. Your brand is what people think and feel about your company. The image you represent. The ideals and standards you portray through your imagery and your product. Your brand is your personality, style, and visual identity. Your brand is YOU.
At the end of the day, your customer-brand relationship is what matters most.
How do you get the message of your brand out to the world?
Stellar Equestrian Branding Photography is the Answer
The BEST way —dare I say the only way... to design your horse business brand is with a professional equine photographer. Of course, you can use your cell phone, but why take a chance with your dream business..
Find a professional who is horse savvy. AND, knows how to use light, composition, and depth of field — elements of art and photography which tell your story. Capturing moments that truly matter. Your photographer should be able to see life behind the lens. To personalize your company while highlighting your expertise.
The trained eye of a professional horse photographer weaves a story behind each image or series of images.
See and feel the rhythmic clippity clop of the iconic Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales pulling their red wagon down the streets of Fort Myers. Amidst onlookers waving American Flags and cheering loudly on the 4th of July.
100% real. Transparent. Authentic. Classic. Mesmerizing photos to capture YOUR brand.
Stand out in the middle of a herd of wild Mustangs.
Get noticed.
Leave an impression.
How Do You Pick the Right Photographer?
Look at their work. Do you get the message they are sharing?
Does their style suit your brand?
Can they see your vision?
Are they easy to work with?
Will they create images that appeal to your target audience?
Are they a visual storyteller?
Preparing for your Equine Branding Photoshoot
Your professional equestrian photographer will set up a phone call or meeting. Be ready to fill out a Branding Questionnaire. Give all the important details about you and your horse business. Share how your personality and character influence your business and your brand.
Here’s a guide to help you get started:
All About Your Business
How did you start your business?
How did you come up with the name?
3 words that describe your business?
Do you have a Mission Statement?
Location, Location, Location
Are you taking pictures with horses?
What location matches your brand? At the barn, the ocean, in the trees, a meadow, by a stream?
How will you show off your unique style and business personality?
Do you need props to carry your message?
Where should you take equine product photos?
In the studio, a specific location, your store?
Do you need props?
It’s All About the Brand
Do you have brand ideas?
Do you have 3 to 5 colors you consistently use throughout your marketing?
What do you want your brand message to be?
What are your branding goals:
Some ideas are to:
Have a consistent marketing message
Use your personality to connect with your audience
Strengthen your relationship with your followers
How will you use the pictures for marketing?
How will you showcase your personality?
Your Product
What is the purpose of your product?
How will it help people or benefit their equine experience?
What do you want your product to communicate to your audience?
How does your product reflect your unique style?
Your Ideal Client
Who is your ideal client - be as specific as possible
Gender
Age
Ideals and beliefs
Pain points
What is their job?
What are their dreams, fears, desires?
Are they married?
Do they have kids?
Where do they shop?
What do they do in their free time?
Who do they follow on social media
How will your product impact their life?
What images will attract your ideal customer?
YOU In Your Business
Why do you love what you do?
Who inspires you and your work?
What are your dreams for your business?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Phew… that’s a lot of questions. But, the point is to get you to take a close look at your business and hone in on your brand and image. You’ve got this.
What to Wear for Your Photoshoot?
How do you pick a horse photoshoot outfit? Pick something you LOVE and isn’t trendy. Choose outfits to match your brand and feel like a rockstar. Stick with your color theme. Your new red suede cowboy boots look awesome but hey, they don’t match your theme. Save ‘em for another day. Remember, it’s a branding photo session. I know you’re praying hard right now the roping buckle you won at Texas A&M is part of your theme.
Be sure to have your outfits prepared in advance. Waiting until the day of your shoot might get you into hot water.
Your photographer will help you design the perfect look for your brand. From your outfit down to your tack. They might even suggest hiring a professional to do hair and makeup. Coordinating your appearance and catching every detail behind the lens is your photographer’s expertise.
Horses in the Picture?
If the plan is to have horses in your equestrian branding photoshoot, get them ready the day before. Of course, you want them to look their best — trimmed and clipped, white socks, shiny coat. But, maybe you need your horse in a more natural state. If your business sells solar heated water buckets and your ideal client ranges her herd in Montana, don’t gussy up your ponies for a glamor shot.
Professional equine photographers love taking pictures of horses when they are show ready, or in their natural state. It really depends on your branding. Sometimes the right picture for your brand is a shot of horses...just being horses.
The true craft of an equine branding photographer is creating a story with your ideal client in mind. Do you need a Paint to market your 100% New Zealand Wool saddle pad? Or a Quarter Horse to promote your bending poles? Here’s where you need to be clear and concise about your brand. So your photographer can make the best decisions for your marketing strategy. Your photographer might use horses from your own herd, or choose ones that better fit your needs.
Rely on the experience and talent of your equine photographer to create a marketing campaign that leaves your competitors in the dust.
One More Thing...
You might be camera shy, but it is important for YOU, the owner of your equine business, to be in some of the photos. Be seen as genuine and personable.
Your photographer will help you feel comfortable and relaxed during the photo shoot. Don’t be afraid to bring up any concerns you might have. Be sure to share past experiences. Both good and bad so your photographer understands your thoughts and feelings. Making the best choice for you and your brand.
There you have it, folks. Equestrian branding photography is the solution to all your brand needs. Command attention. Make a dynamic impression with your horse business today. Fast Horse Photography has the answers you’ve been looking for. Why settle for anything less?