Many are drawn to the captivating world of equine photography, and it’s easy to see why. Horses embody grace and power, making them truly magnificent subjects to photograph.
My journey into photographing horses began in 2014, initially through self-teaching. Later, I discovered a vibrant online community of equine photographers that significantly enriched my skills. To see how my work has evolved, you can explore my portrait gallery, which showcases my photography over the years.
A serene photo of a woman with long dark hair, adorned in a flowing white dress, gracefully sitting bareback on a pristine white horse in a sun-drenched field.
Selecting the Ideal Focal Length for Horse Photography
While wide-angle lenses can offer creative perspectives, they are generally unsuitable for capturing flattering photos of horses, particularly in fine art settings like black background sessions. To minimize distortion and maintain accurate proportions, it’s best to use lenses with a focal length of 100mm or greater. Lenses shorter than this can lead to an unflattering effect, exaggerating the horse’s head size while making their legs appear disproportionately thin and elongated. This distortion can result in a comical and unrealistic representation.
The industry standard lens for equine photography is often the 70-200mm f/2.8. This versatile lens provides a useful zoom range, allowing you to capture both full-body shots and tighter portraits while maintaining a flattering perspective. The f/2.8 aperture is also beneficial, enabling beautiful background blur (bokeh) that isolates the horse and creates a professional, artistic look in your photo of a horse.
A striking photo of a bay tobiano paint stallion, adorned with western tack, standing proudly against a stark black background in a studio setting, illustrating a professional equine photography setup.
Prioritizing Safety When Working Around Horses
If you are not experienced around horses, it is highly recommended to take some lessons from a qualified horse trainer. Even the gentlest horse can be easily startled by unexpected elements, such as a billowing garment or a rustling plastic bag. Personal experience has taught me the importance of this – horses, when frightened, may run without regard for their surroundings, potentially endangering you and your client.
Understanding equine body language is crucial for safety. Learn to recognize signs of unease or stress in a horse, such as widened eyes, restless movements, or rapid ear flicking. It’s also important to be attuned to when a horse has reached its limit during a photoshoot. We ask a lot of them – to stand still, to pose, and to resist natural instincts like grazing. Respecting their patience and ending a session when they show signs of fatigue ensures a positive experience for the horse. A stressed horse will not result in a good photo of a horse.
Appropriate footwear is also essential for safety. Avoid open-toe shoes when working around horses; ideally, wear sturdy boots. Horses are large animals and are not always mindful of where they step. Accidental contact with a hoof can cause significant injury to unprotected feet.
A detailed close-up photo focusing on the eye and muzzle of a horse, highlighting the texture of its coat and eyelashes, capturing the gentle nature of the animal.
Achieving Perfect Poses: Ears and Feet in Horse Photography
For those familiar with horses, you know that capturing the perfect “horse photo” often hinges on happy ears and a balanced stance. Many amateur photos of horses are marred by droopy, uninterested ears or awkward leg positions. In professional equine photography, the goal is to showcase the horse at its best.
To achieve alert and forward-facing ears, consider enlisting an assistant – either your own or the client’s. The aim is to pique the horse’s interest without causing alarm. I employ various attention-grabbing tools such as hobby horses, squeaky dog toys, buckets of feed, and even crinkled peppermint wrappers. Horse and animal sound apps can also be effective, but use them judiciously. Some horses, particularly stallions, may become agitated or overly excited by the sound of other horses. These tools are invaluable when trying to get a great photo of a horse.
Regarding stance, the ideal is for the horse to stand squarely, with weight evenly distributed on all four legs. Avoid poses where the horse is resting a leg or appears to be leaning forward or backward. The hooves should be spaced naturally, not too close together. A balanced and attentive posture contributes significantly to a strong and aesthetically pleasing photo of a horse.
An elegant three-quarter angle photo of a bay horse against a black backdrop, head turned slightly to the left, showcasing its refined conformation and poised demeanor in a studio portrait.
Final Thoughts on Equine Photography
Successfully photographing horses involves careful consideration of several key elements. From choosing the correct focal length to ensuring safety for everyone involved, and mastering the art of posing for optimal ear and leg positions – each aspect contributes to creating a captivating photo of a horse.
Do you have further questions about equine photography techniques? Please feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to me via email at [email protected]. I’m always happy to share my insights and help you on your journey to capturing stunning horse photos.
