An Equine Photography Tour on the Beaches of St. Augustine, Florida

Are you a horse aficionado?

Honestly, you don’t need to own a horse, or even ride horses to answer that question… Are you drawn to the magnificent power and fluid grace of horses?

Do you love sunshine and ocean breezes?

Is it your heart’s desire to break out of your standard photography style and try something new and different? Or maybe learn a new technique or approach to add to your current portfolio?

Do you dream about photographing horses on the beach? The simple thought of the occasion makes you squeal with excitement...

Because the beach is quite possibly the most epic location of all to capture the collision of horse, rider, and scenery so profound, it takes your breath away.

Let me tell you, folks, there is nothing more spectacular than photographing horses on the beach. It literally overwhelms ALL your senses.

The scene is always stunning. Especially if you shoot at sunrise or sunset.

Sometimes the skies are incredible and sometimes the backdrop is nothing more than a vanishing horizon of mist and fog. It doesn’t matter, the beach is always full of beauty.

You hear the sounds of the waves, the calling of the seagulls, the pounding of horses’ hooves in the sand, and the hoots and hollers of the photographers! You can smell the ocean and sunscreen mixed with the familiar scents of wet horses and ShowSheen.

It’s an adrenaline rush to capture all that you want before the sun is too high in the sky and the beach becomes crowded with the regular beach crowd eager to see horses on the beach. You leave the beach sandy, sometimes wet, windblown, and laughing ready for the next shoot.

The Collaboration of Two Friends To Create an Amazing Horses on the Beach Photography Tour

Four years ago the event developed between two friends… myself and my friend Phyllis Burchett of Phyllis Burchett Photo.

I, Cara Taylor Swift, know how fortunate I am to be able to photograph horses on the beach regularly as I live and work right next to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I thought a workshop would be a great way to share the experience with other photographers who hope for the opportunity.

Every year we have photographers from all over the US travel to my hometown of St. Augustine, Florida to enjoy sunshine, horses, and the beach! It’s an amazing three days of learning, growing, and laughing. It is such a thrill for me to share my beautiful and historic town and beautiful beaches with all of the attendees.

This event is an opportunity to photograph something different. To step out of your traditional photography work, and step into the imaginative side of equine photography. Photographing horses... uninhibited on the sandy beaches of St. Augustine, Florida — a dream come true.

For some, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Although workshop attendees might not have experience shooting horses, let alone on the beach, we recommend that photographers have a working knowledge of their cameras. As it is difficult to work one on one with myself or Phyllis while the event is happening. We are always happy to share settings and help get attendees set up or make adjustments as needed.

What Does the Beach Workshop Entail?

This year's event included two sunrise beach shoots and two shoots at locations that gave folks a real Florida experience full of Spanish moss, majestic oak trees, and lush greenery.

During our tour, we like to share with folks how to capture silhouettes. Starbursts, and the occasional copper ring flare.

We use equine and equestrian models with experience and plenty of time riding on the beach together. The models prepare for a variety of settings… fully styled with professional hair and makeup, elaborate dresses, and fantasy inspired looks, but also natural true to equestrian life styles.Take a peek here to see Pegasus wings on one of the equine models from this year's event. Absolutely fantastic photography.

We use experienced equestrians and equine models because horses can be afraid of the waves as it’s not like a regular water feature… this one “attacks” you! LOL. It comes right at the horses and the footing can be questionable with sinking soft sand and the water pulling around the legs of the horse. And of course, sometimes when the wind is gusting, we get mounds of seafoam that blow like the terrifying plastic bag across the beach. This way, I am confident the horses and riders we use are comfortable with being on the beach.

This year for our portrait photo session we were blessed to have the amazing Cat Zimmerman with several of her mustangs. What an incredible opportunity for our attendees. Star 4 Equestrian in St. John’s, Florida was the perfect setting for Cat and her beauties.

Each year we are so thankful to Kira McCarty of Onsite Muse Florida for the beautiful hair and makeup for all of our styled photo sessions! Her expertise and artistic eye are the final touches for the masterpieces our attendees create.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to share the chance to photograph horses on the beach. I look forward to the stunning equine images the attendees capture and hearing how they can work with them and use them in their industry or for their pleasure. That’s truly what matters to me the most.

Photographer Highlights - A Glimpse of Their Artistic Creations

Betsy Bird from Ride the Sky - Creating Fine Art Photography for the Animals We Love.

Terri Cage from Terri Cage Photography - Make a statement with high-quality images that reflect the real you and the beauty of your horse.

Tracy Allard from Penny Whistle Photography - a boutique photography studio specializing in creating enchanting portraits that delight and amuse.

Harry Furey from Photos by Furey - Equine Photographer and Real Estate Photographer.

Trudy Walden from Bible Vision Photography - Shares God’s world through her lens.

Jacqueline Harris from Roam Photos - Dramatic equestrian photography that reveals the unique beauty of the love between people and their horses

Heather Finley from Heather Finley Photography

Christy Wallrich Berry from BerryVine Image Photography - Doing portraits locally with an emphasis on showing the personality of the subject.

Christine O'Hagan Quinn of Christine Quinn Photography - I bring a rider and horse lover’s perspective to all my clients and shoots to get the best possible images.

Vickie Stewart Ransbottom VickiRans

Keli Wakeley of Keli Wakeley Photography - a natural light photographer based in Florida, specializing in equestrian and pet photography.

Janelle Schroeder of Janelle Schroeder Photography - I believe that photos are the gateway to our memories, the capture of emotions and fleeting glimpses of the world around us at that moment.

Testimonials From Phyllis Burchett’s Photo Blog

If you love horses….if you love the water….if you love the ocean…if you love Florida….Then this is a must photo workshop that you must attend. Did I say very affordable? We all had a great time every morning and evening with beautiful equines and riders. Phyllis and Cara will become your friend forever and are wonderful teachers. I will be back. Kathy C.

Pegasus-horse-wings-fantasy-Fast Horse Photography-1.jpg

I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop! Well planned out by Phyllis Burchett Photo and Fast Horse Photography. We had plenty of opportunities to photograph horses and models both on the beach and at a local farm. Wonderful models. Costumes were a nice added touch! Phyllis also did a nice editing review- demonstrating her workflow on a couple of her images. This was very helpful- and I have since used some of her suggestions. I plan to attend again this year! Well worth the money spent. Heather F.

On my bucket list for photography was taking sunrise photos on the beach with beautiful models and horses. With Phyllis Burchett teaching there was also an instructor who really knew her stuff and had a great way of sharing. The horses, models, and barns just kept coming. Throw in other talented photographers, a fabulous location on St. Augustine Beach, and this workshop was a very satisfying experience. I can’t wait to do it again. Thanks to Phyllis Burchett and Cara Swift. Harry F.

Dates for the 2022 Horses on the Beach Photography Event by Fast Horse Photography and Phyllis Burchett Photo will be announced soon.

Get on the email list now so we can notify you when we set the date, and to register for this spectacular event.