FAQs to Start Your Equine Photography Business!

Hey friends! Ashleigh here!

Let’s be honest, as equine photographers we ALL have questions. One thing I’ve learned in this industry is to NEVER stop learning. Ask those questions, learn something new, and always keep pushing yourself to reach your goals! I’m a huge believe in community over competition. I want to be here as a resource to YOU and help you in whatever way I can.

SO, I want to answer some of the most frequently asked questions I get from fellow photographers! My hope is for those of you interested in building an equine photography business can check out our answers, ask us what’s on your mind, and start creating something beautiful.

Q: What camera equipment is your go-to for equine sessions?

A: One of the first things I tell photographers is don’t be defined by your equipment! When I started taking pictures it was on a little Canon point and shoot. Just start somewhere! Ultimately it is YOUR artistic eye that is making the shot and not the equipment you are using. However, to answer this question, I am currently shooting on a Canon 5D Mark IV and primarily use my Sigma Art 85mm. When you are able and looking for an upgrade, I highly recommend this gear. A good quality full frame body and prime can be the ultimate setup!

Q: What programs do you use for editing your images?

A: I rely on Lightroom and Photoshop for most of my editing. Almost everything is done in Lightroom, however Photoshop comes in handy for me when it comes to painting in the black park of a black background or applying my watermark. I tend to put the watermark in different parts of an image and not always in the same spot or else Lightroom would be my go-to for that!

Q: What type of presets do you use when editing?

A: In today’s world there are SO many presets to choose from. Honestly some of my favorites have been ones I’ve tweaked and made my own. In the past I’ve used VSCO presets, but always changed something with them to flow with my style. I think a lot depends on the type of photography style you’re looking for whether that is light/airy, dark/moody, or as true to color as can be! I recommend doing some research, playing around, and finding something that best fits what YOU want to show!

Q: Do you shoot in RAW or JPEG?

A: I always shoot in RAW! For my particular editing style, I tend to brighten things up in post processing. I’ll shoot in RAW and underexposure just enough to match my editing style. A huge benefit of RAW vs JPEG is being able to bring back parts of an image (highlights/shadows) that you might not be able to save if done as a JPEG.

Q: What are some tips for getting a horse’s attention during your shoot?

A: This can be so tricky and is certainly dealt with on a case by case basis. Whenever I can I do my best to bring an assistant along. This makes the session flow easily and gives me even more time to really focus on posing, lighting, and all the other components of the shoot. My assistant has a variety of tools on hand to help get horse’s attention. A few of these include working with a mirror, treat bag, and even an app called The All Ears App that plays various horse noises! If my assistants are unavailable for a given shoot, I usually ask clients if they have a friend or family member they would like to have join along and help out during our session.

Q: How do you handle a misbehaving horse during a session?

A: Trust me when I say you will encounter this. At the end of the day these horses are animals and have a mind of their own. They don’t understand what we are asking of them and for some, photoshoots can be a completely different experience than what they are used to. Patience is key in these scenarios. Getting upset and angry with a horse is never going to do any good and frankly will just make things worse. I think every situation you have to deal with an uncooperative horse should be handled based on what is happening. I do my best to try and understand what that horse is going through. If it seems like the horse has some extra energy, I will usually suggest it get a quick turnout or lunge to burn off some steam then try again! When a horse seems nervous of a location we are shooting at, I do my best to either bring a friend of his/hers to help with the nerves or move that horse and rider closer to an area they are used to being at daily (i.e. arenas, stalls, barn aisles they see frequently). At the end of the day safety comes first. If there is anything that jeopardizes the safety of the horse, rider, or myself I will need to make the judgement call to end the session early or reschedule if possible.

Q: How can I be successful in this industry when there are so many other equine photographers? Is there a way to set myself apart?

A: Just do YOU! The best advice I ever received, and continue telling people, is stop playing the comparison game. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in seeing all these other equine photographers having huge, successful businesses. At the end of the day, it just doesn’t matter. Each and every photographer is unique in their own way, and guess what? So are you! Stay in your lane, focus on what makes you happy, and just be yourself! I guarantee you will attract your ideal clientele simply by following those steps. Show up for your people in any way you can and don’t try to form yourself to be someone you aren’t. Remember how I said every photographer was unique? Well so are their clients! The equestrian industry is SO large there is plenty of room for us all.

Q: How do you expand your clientele and begin working out of state?

A: I won’t lie, expanding out of state can take a lot of hard work and time. The most difficult part will just be getting your foot in the door someplace new. I started out by targeting specific states I knew I wanted to work in. I made a few trips to these places over time to build a reputation in the area. Once I was able to put my name down it became easier for me to advertise to that location and make frequent trips. In the beginning, it certainly isn’t the most profitable, but I found it truly paid off! For me, traveling was all about meeting new equestrians and seeing parts of the world I never had before. I’m blessed that I’ve been able to keep out of state dates as a frequent part of my business! Remember, you don’t HAVE to travel to be successful. The equine industry is huge, and you can make it whatever you want from the comfort of your own state!

Q: Do you have any tips for styling your clients?

A: One of the most important things for me when it comes to styling is keeping my clients comfortable and confident! Making sure that they are feeling their best is such a huge priority for me. When clients begin the scheduling process, I often email them some helpful tips for styling. I’ve picked out a variety of color palettes that match different hair and skin tones that get sent their way. I’ve also selected a few stores that I can send my clients as suggestions of where to shop! However, all of these are simply suggestions.

Q: How were you able schedule your first paid sessions?

A: When I began my photography journey, I decided to put together two “styled shoots” that embodied what I want to create for my real clients. These shoots were horse and rider pairs that I styled and photographed for portfolio use! Once I had a somewhat decent portfolio, I began using the images for advertising purposes. As I continued shooting my portfolio continued expanding until I had a fairly decent one. We all have to start somewhere! I think that doing my first few shoots in a way that I could handle every aspect really helped set in stone what kind of work my clients could expect from me! After scheduling my first paid sessions, I will say that word of mouth helped