Highlights from Our Equine Photography Essentials Workshop

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the amazing attendees who joined us for the recent Equine Photography Essentials workshop. Your enthusiasm and dedication made it an unforgettable experience. A special thanks goes out to all the local equestrians who brought their horses out, rode and modeled for us, and to the wonderful equine venues that hosted our sessions: Star 4 Equestrian, Carousel Show Horses, Peak Performance Horses, The St Johns County Equestrian Center, the Jones Family, and the Florida Agricultural Museum. Your hospitality was unmatched, and we couldn't have asked for better partners.

The Equine Essentials event, co-hosted with my talented colleagues Kimberly Beer and Phyllis Burchett through our joint photography venture, Cowgirls with Cameras, was designed to provide beginner horse photographers with the foundational skills needed to excel in this niche. Our goal was to cover every aspect of equine photography, from the technical to the artistic, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we covered:

• Camera Basics and Exposure: Understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together is crucial for capturing the perfect shot.

• Depth of Field: We discussed why it's important and how to use it effectively to enhance your photos.

• Composition and Design Elements: Learning to compose your shots and utilize design elements to create visually appealing images.

• The Art of Cropping: Techniques for cropping your photos to highlight the best features of your subjects.

• Reading Histograms: How to use histograms to ensure your images are properly exposed.

• Gear Selection: Tips on picking the right equipment for equine photography.

• Capturing the Right Moment: Identifying the perfect moment of stride to make your equine subjects look their best.

• Conformation/Sale Horse Photography: Best practices for capturing horses for sale or conformation purposes.

• Storytelling: Using your images to tell compelling stories.

• Post-Shoot Workflow: Uploading, organizing, and editing photos with Lightroom.

• Creative Editing: Enhancing your images with Photoshop.

• The Business of Photography: Insights on how to sell your work and run a successful photography business.

Held right here in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida, the workshop spanned nine stunning locations and featured over 23 horse and human model teams PLUS a couple of adorable foals. It was an intensive yet enjoyable experience, packed with hands-on training and expert guidance.

To all who attended, your passion and eagerness to learn were truly inspiring. We hope you left with newfound skills, confidence, and a deeper love for equine photography. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us at Cowgirls with Cameras. We look forward to seeing your amazing photos and hearing about your continued success in equine photography! See below for a few more images created during this event.