What to Expect During Your Horse and Rider or Livestock Portrait Session
- Katie Williams
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Booking a portrait session is exciting, but if you've never done one before, it's completely normal to wonder what the process looks like. From choosing your session package to receiving your finished images, here's what you can expect during a horse and rider or livestock portrait session with me.
Before Your Session
1. Choose the Best Session For You
We'll start by discussing your goals and what you're hoping to capture. Whether you're looking for horse and rider portraits, livestock portraits, or senior photos with your animal, I'll help you choose the package that best fits your vision.
2. Schedule Your Session
Once you've selected a package, we'll choose a date based on your schedule, the season, and the best lighting. Most sessions are photographed around sunrise or sunset when the light is soft and flattering.
3. Prepare for Your Session
After booking, you'll receive a preparation guide with helpful tips for getting ready. We'll cover things like:
Clothing and outfit ideas
Tack and equipment
Grooming your horse or livestock
Any preparations specific to your session
If your horse needs clipping or your livestock requires fitting, washing, or other preparation, that process may begin days or even weeks before your session.
Session Day
4. Get Ready
On the day of your session, you'll finish getting both yourself and your animal ready. Horses may benefit from a final grooming touch-up or a short lunge if appropriate, while livestock should be clean, dry, and ready for photographs.
5. Meet at the Location
We'll meet at your farm, barn, show grounds, or another agreed-upon location and spend a few minutes getting acquainted before we begin. I want the session to feel relaxed from the very beginning.
6. Find the Best Light and Backgrounds
Before we start taking photos, I'll walk around the property looking for the best combination of beautiful light, clean backgrounds, and safe footing. Every location has its own unique character, and finding the right spots helps create timeless portraits.
7. The Portrait Session
This is the fun part! I'll guide you through a variety of natural poses and interactions, so you never have to wonder what to do. My goal is for your portraits to feel genuine and comfortable rather than stiff or overly posed.
If we don't have another session immediately afterward, I'm generally flexible with time because I'd rather capture the best images than watch the clock.
8. Outfit, Animal, or Location Changes
Depending on your session, we may include:
Outfit changes
Different locations around the property
Additional horses or livestock included in your package
These changes help create a gallery with plenty of variety.
9. Wrapping Up
Before we finish, we'll go over what happens next so you'll know exactly when to expect your gallery and what the remainder of the process looks like.
After Your Session
10. Your Proof Gallery
Within about two weeks, you'll receive an online gallery of lightly edited proof images. This gives you the opportunity to look through your photographs from the comfort of home.
11. Choose Your Favorites
Take your time selecting the images you'd like fully edited. If you need help narrowing down your favorites, I'm always happy to offer guidance.
12. Final Editing
Within approximately three weeks of receiving your selections, I'll carefully edit your chosen images and deliver your finished high-resolution gallery.
13. Artwork and Prints
If you've ordered wall art, albums, canvases, or other printed products, we'll work together to create pieces you'll be proud to display for years to come.
14. Enjoy Your Images
The best part!
Whether your portraits end up framed on your wall, displayed in an album, or shared with family and friends, they'll preserve this chapter with your horse or livestock for years to come.
If you're considering booking a horse and rider or livestock portrait session around Georgia, I'd love to help tell your story. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I look forward to hearing about you and your animals.
