Equestrian Portraits Of A Unique Pony And Rider Team
Some horse and rider portrait sessions celebrate a new beginning, while others preserve the end of a special chapter. This summer, I had the privilege of photographing Dixie and her pony, Riley, as they prepared for a transition in their journey together.
Over the past several years, Dixie and Riley have found success competing in the hunter/jumper ring. As Dixie has grown, she's reached the point where she's ready to move up to a larger horse. While Riley will remain on the farm, their days of competing together are coming to a close, making this the perfect time to capture the partnership they've built before beginning the next chapter.
Dixie came to the session incredibly well prepared. Her bit shone, her bridle had been freshly cleaned and conditioned, and Riley looked spotless from ears to hooves. Thoughtful preparation like this makes a tremendous difference in the finished photographs and allows us to spend more time creating images rather than making last-minute adjustments.
We photographed the session on a warm summer evening at a tucked-away horse farm in the metro area. Although the property sits in a busy area, it feels surprisingly peaceful, with mature trees, open pastures, and beautiful pockets of golden evening light. Before we started photographing, I spent a few minutes walking the property to find locations that combined the best light with clean, uncluttered backgrounds. We ultimately chose two areas with tall grass and trees that beautifully filtered the setting sun.
Throughout the evening, Riley was a wonderful model. He happily moved from one location to another, posed patiently with Dixie, and even enjoyed a few bareback portraits. His relaxed personality meant we had to work a little harder to convince those ears to stay forward, but it's a problem most horse photographers are happy to have! Over the course of about an hour, I guided Dixie through a variety of natural poses that highlighted the connection they share.
One question I'm often asked is whether clients can ride during their horse and rider photography session. The answer is yes, but safety always comes first. Dixie had extensive experience riding Riley bareback, and throughout the session he remained calm, attentive, and relaxed, making it an appropriate choice. Every horse and rider combination is different, and I always evaluate both the rider's experience and the horse's behavior before deciding whether riding portraits are a good fit. If riding photos are something you'd like to include in your own session, I recommend practicing in your photoshoot outfit beforehand so you and your horse are both comfortable.
Horse and rider portrait sessions are about much more than creating beautiful photographs. They preserve the memories, trust, and partnership that have been built over countless rides, lessons, and competitions. Although Dixie is ready for her next horse, these photographs will always serve as a reminder of the pony who helped her get there.
Thank you, Dixie and your family, for trusting me to capture such a meaningful season of your journey together. I hope these images become a lasting reminder of everything you and Riley accomplished.
