An Equine Remember Me Photo Session

Embracing Your Final Opportunity 

Not an easy topic, is it? 

“Remember Me,” and “Final,” words so difficult to say or feel. Aren’t they?

You’ve talked to your vet for hours on end. But there is no other way.

Maybe it’s just easier to not discuss it at all… Pretend this isn’t happening. 

But, this IS your current reality. The end of life for your most precious horse is coming... sooner than later. Much sooner than you ever thought.

Ok, so you said it out loud… or at least in your head… Can you stop there?

No, you must move forward. 

You’ve had Steel in your life since you were 18 years old. He was a gift from your parents when you graduated high school and landed a spot on the University of Florida’s equestrian team. 

The most versatile horse you ever had. Ever.

The two of you ebbed and flowed with grace and poise. Your horse-human connection was stronger than anything you ever witnessed. 

Over the summers, when you were off from school, the two of you went back home for family time and rest. Back to good ‘ol trail riding, swimming in the St. Johns River, and soaking up the beauty of an early sunrise. Happy and carefree. 

Fast forward… Steel is twenty-eight and still keeps up with the youngins at the barn. But, earlier in the week, you noticed a nodule on his neck. After thorough testing from the vet, he determined your baby had cancer. 

There are options to treat him, but the vet wasn't sure at his age if he could handle the toll it would take on his body. After 3 long nights of tossing and turning and little sleep, you decided you would put Steel down... To preserve his dignity and spirit. 

Instead of feeling sorry for yourself and your wonderful Steel, you decide to take the next two weeks to celebrate ALL he means to you. 

Why Plan an End of Life Photo Session with a Professional Equine Photographer?

• Embrace and Remember the Good

Life is hard and can be so trying at times. It is important for us to intentionally remember the GOOD things that happen in our lives. 

Instead of feeling down and sad for Steel. Why not capture your last memories with him in a joyful way? Pictures to capture your heart connection. His powerful spirit. His silly side. His majestic beauty. Professional images to bring out the best in him. His loving character. 

Thankfully Steel is not in any pain. So you can take him to some of your favorite places for your photo session. 

Other horses, however, might need to be treated gingerly for their photo session. Your professional equine photographer can take beautiful horse photos just about anywhere. Keeping in mind your horse's comfort and need for little stress. A black background image taken at the barn is an easy solution. Or, your favorite spot to sit with him while he grazes. 

• Honor Your Horses Efforts

Whether your horse was a champion barrel racer, a Grand Prix jumper, or your backyard friend, honor the efforts they made for you throughout their life with you. In a sense, you are saying “Thank you for taking care of me all these years.” 

Recognizing how hard they tried to keep you on their back. And to not step on you when you fell. Showing up day after day with a willingness to try.

After all, why do we ride in the first place? It’s all about the connection. Right? 

The true heart connection. If you have spent any time with a horse you know that sacred connection. There are plenty of horse owners who have this relationship and never sat on their horse’s back. They brushed and walked their precious horse every day of their lives. United in heart and spirit. 

Feeding them carrots… receiving snuggles and kisses. Loving each other. 

Honor your horse for their love and affection. 

Steel was there for you when you failed your first midterm. He didn’t care that you didn’t understand organic chemistry. He loved you on your bad days. He loved you on your good days. 

He was there for you when you cried on his shoulder after your first really hard break-up. He was there when your fiance proposed. 

He was there for you on your wedding day, carrying you down the aisle looking regal and exquisite. 

• Celebrate Their Life

Steel traveled back and forth from home to school. He traveled to a gazillion horse shows. He outshined your competitors. Every day was like his best day. Ears perked and a strut in his step. Honestly, you never had a horse like him. He was happy every day. He tried hard every day. He gave you his ALL. 

Celebrate your majestic steed. Salute the joy he brought you. The smiles and “Can you believe he did it?” moments. Celebrate his life and all of your memories together.

It is so important to celebrate, especially now. Celebrate every win. Every good day. Celebrate like Steel is the last horse you will ever own. Because THAT’s how much he MATTERS to you. 

A professional equestrian photoshoot gives you cherished horse images to remember your relationship with Steel. You already have plenty of horse images from the show ring. With your teammates. Even on the trail. But this photo session is just about the two of you. Looking your best. Remembering what you had together. Capturing your connection. Celebrating life with horses.  

• Show Your Children and Family How to Respectfully care for a Horse

There are people all over the country who take their horses for granted and don’t give them the care and respect they deserve. 

Although you might not realize it… people are ALWAYS watching and learning. Think about your children or the little girls coming up at the barn. Teaching them a horse is not something to cast away when they don’t fit your needs anymore. 

Horses are bought and sold for specific reasons all the time. But an older, injured, or retired horse deserves respect and love. You’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to continue to care for your senior.

A heartfelt photo session with a professional photographer is a great way to show horse lovers of all ages that your horse still matters even when he is sick or old. Give him the dignity he deserves. 

When I bestride him, I

soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth

sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his

hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes.

~William Shakespeare, Henry V, c.1598  [III, 7, Lewis the Dauphin]

Of course, your initial reaction when you hear the time is near for your horse, won’t be “Let’s do a professional photoshoot.” 

After you have processed what’s going on, reach out to Fast Horse Photography to set up a Remember Me photo session. 

Your equine portrait specialist has plenty of experience to create a session that commemorates the life of your horse. She will treat you and your horse with kid gloves as she knows first hand how precious heart horses are. She will walk you through the session and help you choose the perfect frames to hang your artwork on the wall. She also creates lovely equestrian memory boxes and photo albums so you have plenty of ways to remember your adored horse. Keepsakes you can treasure. 

If you need to talk about the process first because you are unsure of all the details, don’t worry. In your pre-session planning meeting, you will discuss everything. From what to wear. How to prepare. And the best locations for you and your horse. Your equine photographer wants your photoshoot to be all about you and your beloved four-legged. 

Do you live in North East Florida? Have you been searching for a professional horse photographer in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Palm Coast, Gainesville, or Daytona?

Fast Horse Photography offers a classic and refined equine portrait experience. With compassion and care for the needs of you and your horse. 

Give Fast Horse Photography a call today and plan your special photo session.