It can be difficult to visualize how the magic of equine portraits are finalized. I enjoy having a. transparent business, and want to share my process of creating these fine art portraits of your beloved horses.

The short version…

We scheduling your photoshoot.
You prep your horse.
I arrive and photograph.
Your images are retouched and delivered via an online gallery.
You choose your favorite images to display as fine art.

The long version…

We schedule your photoshoot, discussing the personality and physical traits you want highlighted through specific poses, any special needs you or your horse require additional attention to, planning tack options or add ons with your dogs, or upgrades for additional images or textured backgrounds.
Upon booking, you’ll receive complimentary prep guides, assisting you in the most important details for the best turn out of your horse. This includes inside tips and tricks for bathing, clipping, braiding/banding, as well as ensuring your horse has a positive and happy mindset for the photoshoot.
I arrive and search for the best location to photograph your horse. I look for flat lighting (this will change depending on if we are completing black backgrounds OR white backgrounds.), level and hard footing, within a safe environment. Most often, we use shaded barn aisle ways with concrete or rubber flooring, ensuring tack boxes and barn equipment is moved, with stall guards fully closed or horses removed from stalls next to our workspace.
I have an assistant accompany me, who is familiar with how to se your horse up for the desired poses, and how to use your horse’s personality and behavior traits to our advantage. While they are posing your horse, I photograph, ensuring that your requested poses, physical or personality traits are presented in every image.
The photoshoots are quick! Usually lasting 15-30 minutes, depending on the package scheduled, ensuring that your horse stays happily engaged and positively enriched with the experience.
At the time of the photoshoot, we discuss any specific editing requests you would like, ensuring that the important details are noted and respected while transforming the photos into a work of art.
Once I have returned to my office, your images are retouched by hand. Most retouching includes… background replacement, floor replacement (if needed), lead rope or naked halter removal, lighting and overall color corrections. Detail retouching often includes coat clean up from scratches, bug bites, scars or discoloration from sun bleaching, clipping, or grass stains. The details of the mane, forelock, whiskers, ear fuzz, feathers, or tail are refined by using J.Klein Photos custom digital brush collection, ensuring no details are left behind. Eyes are retouched to remove unwanted reflections and to pull color and characteristics to the viewers attention.
Compositions of multiple horses are created from photographing the horse individually (for safety and to ensure your horse is comfortable to show their true personality). Using my background in equine behavior, I choose images that display a realistic conversation through their body language, that matches their personality, to create compositions of horses (and dogs!) in a safe, and elegant manner.
The editing process is very detail oriented, with the intensions of enlarging the image as fine art for your homes, offices and barns. When your image is 40x60”, EVERY detail matters!
Your low res, retouched digital images will be delivered through an online gallery within 4 weeks following your photoshoot. We then begin the process of choosing your favorite photos to display as wall art in your homes, offices and barns. I offer product mockups for clients who like to visualize what a particular image/product/size will look like on their walls, and assist with any customizations to create one of a kind, heirloom quality fine art, that embodies the client’s deep love for their horses.

What sets me apart from other photographers is…

I offer an easy and seamless process for the client, from inquiry to hanging fine art.
My background in equine behavior ensures that no matter your horse’s age, manners, or riding discipline, you and your horse will enjoy the fun and relaxed photoshoot process.
And lastly, no matter if your horse has a pristine coat, or if they have enjoyed a season bathing in the sunshine, playing rough with their pasture mates, or carry undesirable scars, my editing skills and attention to details will ensure that your horse looks their very best, as these images are designed to be timeless portraits.

Here are examples of past equine portraits, the location we used, and before and after my editing process.

Check out behind the scenes from equine portrait photoshoots, viewed from the top of my camera!

Here are mock up examples of fine art in client homes, offices and barns!

I am based out of Muskegon, Michigan and Wellington, Florida, but do travel throughout the United States of America, offering Equine Portrait Photoshoots. Photoshoot details and booking can be found by clicking HERE!