Behind the Scenes at Horse & Rider Photoshoots
Ever wonder what’s going through my head during your photoshoot? I do my best to genuinely connect with every client, but in the background, my wheels are cranking out calculations and decisions that shape client experiences, as well as their finally collection of images.
CLARIFYING GOALS
When I arrive, I like to meet the client and hear about their horses. Sometimes between when they booked the photoshoot, and the photoshoot date, the client’s goals and desires for photography might have changed. With some clients booking a year in advanced, sometimes the horses they originally booked a photoshoot with, have changed as well, so while I have a lot of this initial information already in the contract, I like to review it with the client and ensure we are all still on the same page. These are some questions I like to ask…
What memories are most important to them now, but also what memories will be treasured in 30 years, when their horse is no longer with them.
Are these memories on the ground with their horse or are they under saddle/bareback?
Do these memories take place in the barn, arena, pastures, on trails, or throughout the green spaces found throughout the property?
How many horses are we included in each memory/location/pose?
Are we including any dogs?
OUTFITS & TACK CHANGES
Outfits and tack changes can make a big difference in the poses, locations, and lighting that I choose to capture. I like to know the following questions before I walk the property and make a game plan…
Are we photographing the horse in a naked halter (removed in the editing process), a leather halter, bridle, or even fully tacked?
What is the client wearing for their outfits (casual urban, equestrian attire, formal dress)?
Do these outfits help or hinder safety or posing abilities?
What locations and horse tack options are going to look best with each outfit?
Are we capturing specific style of photography, either formally posed, lifestyle or branding, candids and/or bloopers?
Do we have any disabilities or discomfort levels (from client or animals) that I need to be respectful of when choosing the poses?
LOCATION SCOUTING
When I walk the property, I am looking for a mix of texture, colors, shapes, lines and lighting. These are the questions I ask myself…
How will this provide more variety in a creative way, as well as capturing the memories desired by the client?
How is the lighting going to change during our photoshoot, and does this affect the order of locations we are going to be using?
What locations are best for capturing a variety of images as wide angles, full body, headshots, details.
How will photographing at different height perspectives change or add to the gallery?
Are there natural frames or areas that offer me the chance to layer foreground or background to use for more creative shots?
Do we have incoming weather we need to be aware of, or that might change the flow of our photoshoot?
Am I working around any outside influences, such as feeding or turn out time, workers finishing barn chores, lessons or training in the arena, incoming/outgoing trailers, or having to manage people who want to interject themselves unnecessarily (and uninvited by the client) into our photoshoot?
I like to include a large variety of poses, whether we are photographing the client standing, leaning, sitting, kneeling, in the saddle or bareback. How will the outfits, locations, and lighting shape the order of poses that I choose?
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR + SETTINGS
While I typically shoot on a 135mm, am I going to need to make any gear changes throughout the photoshoot?
Are there tighter spaces I need a wider lens such as my 50mm, or will we be doing any action shots, or need more compression of a lens where I’d want to change out to my 70-200mm.
What camera settings (shutter, aperture, iso) are going to be best for the location, pose, and movement?
Throughout the photoshoot, am I going to need any background images to replace where my assistant was needing to stand closer to the horse and rider to get the desired expression.
EQUINE BEHAVIOR
Behavior plays a HUGE part in the photography process, and while some of these questions I can ask ahead of time, behavior is usually something I like to judge as we work. I am very fortunate to have a background in equine (and canine) behavior, and can spot behavioral issues we’ll need to manage or behavioral opportunities we can shape into heartfelt photos. These are questions I have to consider during every shoot, always with safety and providing a positive experience as my number one priority,..
Behavior wise, how easy or difficult are the horses (or dogs) going to be to work with?
Do they have any ground manners and can they stand quietly, or have they been allowed to push through people, bite, kick, rear, bolt or seize control by biting reins? If we are working with behavioral issues, how will this influence the locations and poses, and will I have to change how I am using my assistant to keep them safe?
Are they food motivated, and are they polite or do they become unruly cookie monsters?
Is being near grass going to present a challenge, and will the horse be dragging the client for grass?
If we have behavioral issues on the ground, is the horse better under saddle?
Is the horse hotter and more sensitive, or are they dull and unimpressed by any/everything?
Does the horse have a longer attention span, or shorter, and if shorter, how fast am I going to push the shoot? Will the client/horse be able to adjust their speed or will pushing for a faster photoshoot cause either to break down?
If we have multiple horses - are the horses okay to stand next to each other, or do we have a boss mare that won’t tolerate any horses near her, even with a 3-4’ buffer.
For safety, do we need to lead line any of the multiple horses and designate my assistant or another hand to reset or remove the horse as needed for poses?
If including any dogs, are the horses and dogs comfortable around each other, or will we have to create compositions and photograph everyone individually to ensure safety, positive body language, and an enriching experience for all animals (and people) included in the shoot?
LAST MINUTE PHOTOGRAPHY REQUESTS.
I like to check in with the clients 10-15 minutes prior to the end of the photoshoot asking if they have any last minute requests we need to include before wrapping up.
Sometimes clients think of photos they want captured during the photoshoot, that they didn’t consider before hand.
Sometimes a family member, best friend, or trainer might join a photoshoot, and I always try to incorporate them into one or two group photos with the client. These memories might not be asked for, but if they are there supporting my client, they are important enough to pop into a few photos!
Throughout the entire time I am on property, working with the clients and their animals, and juggling these decisions, I am also doing my best to balance all the needs of the owners/trainers of the facility, staying considerate of the riders and boarders at the barn, and anything my assistant.
It’s a LOT. So if I seems like I’m not 100% present in every moment of conversation, know that it’s because I’m attending a group manager meeting in my head, who altogether is conducting your photoshoot! I try my best to puzzle the photoshoot together to fit everyone’s needs, while maximizing my own creativity, and this often requires a lot of my energy. During my busiest seasons, it leaves me feeling drained and needing ample quiet time with my own husband and animals to recharge.
I do provide a complimentary prep guide to all clients upon booking, and I highly recommend that the clients follow that ahead prior to the beginning of the photoshoot. If the clients want to maximize their time, being fully prepared before the photoshoot begins, and then if they can communicate clearly, and follow directions easily, and be speedy during location, outfit, tack, or any animal changes during the photoshoot, will allow me the opportunity to photograph a larger variety of images and push the creativity to the next level. It is 100% a team effort, and one I enjoy being a part of!
If you’re interested in booking a photoshoot, please inquire here: https://www.jkleinphotos.com/horse-riders
If you’re interested in investing in your own photography skills, and want to schedule a virtual or in person mentorship, please inquire here: https://www.jkleinphotos.com/mentorships
Group workshops are available throughout the year, and are limited to a small number of photographers per workshop. All workshop spots are first come first serve, and do book up quickly, so don’t wait to reserve your spot! For Horse & Rider Photography workshops, please inquire here: https://www.jkleinphotos.com/hrphotographyworkshop