Tips for Taking Effective Sales Photos of Horses

As an equine photographer, I work on conformation photos for horses marketed for sale or breeding. Capturing strong sales images requires more than a quick smartphone shot. Below are key tips for taking compelling, professional photos that highlight your horse's best qualities.

1. Preparation is Key

   Ensure the horse is clean and show-ready, with attention to the coat, hooves, and mane. If tack and a bit are included, clean them thoroughly to maintain a polished look that appeals to buyers.

   
   

2. Avoid Distortion

   To ensure accurate proportions, use a lens with at least a 135mm focal length. This keeps the horse’s head in proportion to its body for a true-to-life image.

   
   

3. Timing Matters

   Shoot about 1.5–2 hours before sunset for even, soft lighting. Position the sun behind you to highlight the horse’s features without harsh shadows or overexposure.

   
   

4. Choose a Simple, Non-Distracting Background

   Opt for a clean, uncluttered background to keep the focus on the horse. Position the horse further from the background to achieve a slight blur, ensuring it stands out.

   
   

5. Enlist Help for Better Results

   Taking conformation photos is a bit different from typical horse-and-rider portraits. Have one person consistently position the horse correctly and keep it still, while another encourages alertness (e.g., raising the ears) for a more engaged image. This blog entry goes into more detail of preparing your horse for a portrait session.

   
   

6. Find the Right Angle

   Shoot from mid-barrel height to capture the horse’s conformation in natural proportion. Avoid extreme angles that could distort the horse’s size or shape.

   
   

7. Leg Positioning

   Ensure all four legs are visible, with the near-side legs further apart than the off-side legs for a balanced, accurate representation of the horse's conformation.

   
   

Conclusion

Effective sales photos are essential, whether you're a new seller or an industry professional. A professional horse photographer has the most experience in presenting the horse in the best light. Although with these tips, high-quality images will attract the right buyers, highlight the horse’s true value, and lead to a successful sale and what we all want for our horses, a good home.