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A Beginner’s Guide to Great Equine Photography

By Lauren Aubert

In the last decade or so, there has been an exponential growth in the number of equine photographers present on social media, online, and shooting on the show circuits. From experienced professionals whose work and photo quality I aspire to emulate, to talented junior photographers with aesthetically pleasing social media accounts and impressive portfolios, their work inspires me to find new ways to better my photography skills.

I have been obsessed with photography ever since I was introduced to it when I was young. From my little pink point-and-shoot camera to my first digital SLR, photography has been in my life for almost ten years. Upon deciding to shoot for my personal portfolio at horse shows, I knew I had found my creative niche, my perfect “happy place.” I love having the ability to capture a splendid moment between horse and rider, especially when their close-knit bond is evident after a great trip in the arena. I also enjoy having a collection of memories from the horse shows I attend to hold on to forever. Along my journey, I have acquired a few tips to help people starting out achieve interesting compositions, understand how a camera works, and to have fun documenting the equestrian sport, all what equine photography is all about!

The first step is to experiment with exposure, determined by shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. The shutter speed of a camera decides how long the camera shutter should remain open for. A “fast” shutter speed, such as 1/6000 of a second, will quickly capture a fleeting moment of action, utilized for photographing fast-moving horses over jumps and on the flat. Since the shutter is not open for very long for the duration of the shot, your camera’s aperture and ISO can be adjusted accordingly to compensate for the lack of light that is brought in.

A “slow” shutter speed, like 1/100 of a second, will do the opposite of the fast shutter for obvious reasons. The shutter will capture the image very slowly, “soaking up” all the light from the area of the photograph being recorded. This is helpful when there is not a lot of light to begin with, however, if capturing movement, the photo will turn out blurred from the movement. The exposure will not need to be set high to ensure there is no excess light let into the camera. A lower shutter speed is beneficial for taking still shots, especially those taken on a tripod in a dimly lit environment. A good amount of light will be let in during the amount of time the shutter is open, for precisely 1/100 of a second.

Even though 1/500 and 1/2500 of second may appear similar, they have two completely different results when photographing horses in action. It seems like a short time, but in photography, time is everything!  Quickly figuring out which shutter speed to use while your subject thunders towards their next obstacle will become second nature after a little practice.

Have you ever looked through your lens and noticed a hole behind the glass, and that if you have a zoom lens, it expands and contracts depending on what focal length the lens is set to? This is known as the aperture, the hole that controls the amount of light let into your camera. Measured in f-stops, the numbers can range from around f/1.2 to roughly f/22. A low f-stop (about f/2.8 and below) is made possible by the model of your lens, and means your camera will be able to take in a large amount of light in a single capture, useful for shooting late night classes where you cannot allow your shutter speed to lower a significantly because your photos could turn out blurry. The lower the f-stop, the more blurred and out-of-focus the background of a photo will appear. When shopping for lenses, one with a low f-stop (example: f/2.8) will be more expensive than its higher f-stop counterpart, (f/4) and sometimes can1 be much heavier.

The ISO controls a camera’s image sensor light sensitivity. Ranging from 100 to about 12000 on a consumer camera, higher on a professional camera, understanding ISO and how it affects the outcome of a picture can be the hardest part of getting to know the functions of your camera. The higher the ISO is set to, the easier it is for your camera to freeze action in darker situations because your camera will react more sensitively to the small amount of light present than it would with a lower ISO. This way, your shutter speed can be set higher if needed because your aperture does not have to be set low to make up for the lack of light. This is beneficial when photographing the evening show classes where light fades quickly. However, taking pictures with a high ISO means they will appear grainier than ones shot with a lower ISO, especially on a less expensive camera. Shooting on the low end of the ISO spectrum ensures your photos will come out clear. However, the ideal situations required to use a low ISO are ones where light is abundant (think midday).

In addition to playing with the different settings cameras have to offer, experimentation is key to improving the overall outcome of your pictures. Try out different locations, angles, disciplines of riding to shoot, whether you prefer photographing the slow and beautiful hunters, graceful equitation, or quick, agile jumpers. Shooting the same jump from a different angle can completely change the aesthetic of a picture, and can make it appear interesting to the eye. Perhaps you do not want to photograph action, but would like to specialize in horse and rider photoshoots. In the wide world of equestrian photography, there is a place for everyone! I often photograph horse and rider in technical classes like the USHJA Hunter Derbies and Grand Prix classes because I enjoy documenting the performance at the top levels of our sport. Do not be afraid to photograph at multiple spots outside the ring, as the lighting can drastically change from one place to another. There are many ways to play with the light to fit the mood of a shot. For example, shooting with the sun directly behind your subjects creates a halo of light around their silhouettes, particularly flattering when the sunlight appears golden right before sunset.

Finally, consulting additional resources to help you learn hacks, tips, and tricks about your camera and composition can help expand your knowledge and improve your photographic repertoire. On YouTube, there are many great photographers who specialize in equine photography, whose videos can help you with anything from a black background tutorial to how to get a horse’s ears up for a photoshoot. Read photography blogs like Capture Guide , purchase books, even skim your camera’s manual to help you understand what you are trying to accomplish. Many camera stores offer classes available for all levels of photographers, which can also be helpful in understanding your camera. Talking to the other photographers about how they got started and about any tips they have might inspire you to try new techniques, settings, and compositions. Some of the greatest things available to us in the hunter jumper world are photographs documenting the memories we create, and I am grateful for the show photographers who make the memories last forever. I like to remember that every noteworthy moment captured is precious, whether it is someone’s first leadline class or a score of 92 in an equitation final. Witnessing a person react to a great photograph taken of them during a priceless moment never fails to make me smile.

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I am an equine photographer & explorer with focus on fine art horse photography and adventurous photo tours. Join me on my Explorer Tours, book a fine art photo shoot or discover my current projects.

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Hi! My name is Cécile, I’m an Interface Designer, Photographer and Explorer — and a Renaissance Soul with many interests and passions. 

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• Photography

Meet Shelley

Horses are the thread woven throughout my story.

My journey to becoming a professional equine photographer is probably much like your story—more of a winding road than a straight or predictable path. 

From as early as I can remember, horses have held a sacred place in my heart. I was that horse-crazy girl who spent summers on horseback, falling in love over and over with these beautiful creatures

While my husband will attest to the fact that I’m still horse-crazy, I now spend my time creating rich, story-filled images for equestrian businesses, brands, and publications. I also provide education and mentoring for equine photographers, sharing what I have learned in my 19-plus years of building a photography business. 

But, how did I get here?

Here’s my journey to building a thriving equine photography business — in photos, of course!

Growing up, my summers were spent on my uncle’s farm taming kittens, helping little piggies come into the world, and, of course, riding horses. I spent countless weekends competing at local horse shows on leased horses, all the while, longing for a horse of my own.

When I finally earned my first full-time salary, I bought a horse of my own —Maggie Sue, a two-year-old Quarter horse who has been with me ever since (28 years and counting). Around that time, I also married my husband, Tracy, who continues to be my best friend, biggest cheerleader, and personal comedian.

My creative career started in graphic and web design, which lead to a job at an advertising agency where I learned the ins and outs of working on a creative team. In 2001, I started my own freelance design business and  I came to be known for creating work that is customized and truly reflects each client.   

Over time, my passion for creating beautiful, meaningful imagery grew and I made a natural pivot away from design to focus solely on photography. What first drew me to wedding photography is what continues to keep my passion for photography alive: my innate ability to create a unique story through images.   

Early on, I discovered my love for teaching and mentoring . I’ve led workshops and mentored photographers for more than 17 years, helping other photographers grow in their craft and build a successful business on their own terms. 

All the while, I loved taking pictures of Maggie Sue and creating beautiful, meaningful images for my growing list of equestrian clients. Eventually, even after being named one of the Top 50 Wedding Photographers in the U.S. by Weddzilla in 2014, the tug on my heart to photograph horses full-time was getting stronger .

In 2015, after an accident that happened while traveling lead to a traumatic brain injury , I had to step away from wedding photography and go all-in with my equine photography business. It was sink or swim and I dove in headfirst, with no assurance I could make a living just doing equine work. 

Around that time, my childhood wish came true and we moved from the suburbs to the country and bought 5-acre hobby farm. I even bought a new horse to complete the package,  Fritzie, my #supermodelhorse, who introduced me to dressage. She’s a very smart mare which has made me 10x a better equestrian. Thanks to riding Maggie Sue in Western events and Fritzie in dressage, I have a good understanding of both Western and English disciplines.  

My versatile riding and training experience allows me to capture both Western and English disciplines from an insider’s perspective. 

In 2018, a book of my work called “ Horses, Portraits and Stories ” was published by Amherst Media. It went on to win first place in the American Horse Publications Equine Media Awards. 

2021, as much schedule filled and my workload intensified, I transitioned away from offering portrait work to focus working primarily in the  commercial   and  editorial side of the photography business. 

Working with major brands such as Farnam and Nutrena, my ad agency background provides a unique client-focused perspective.  Working with publications such as  Horse Illustrated, Young Rider and the American Quarter Horse Journal allows me to put my documentary wedding photography skills to use, showcasing my ability to tell a story through compelling images.

These days, you’ll still find me with a camera in hand, creating captivating images of horses for equine brands, businesses and publications either through custom photo shoots or my Equine Stock Library .

Through my Wings and Pegasus mentorship programs, I continue to find great joy and fulfillment in mentoring other equestrian photographers. 

Recently, I added a third horse to our herd. Maisy is a sweet Dunskin filly born in the summer of 2021. I’ve been in her life since the first day and am excited about raising my future dressage partner right here on the farm.

My passion for the craft of photography and for photographing horses means I will never be neutral about the work I do.  I’ll forever be obsessed with light and sunsets … and horses. 

Awards & Accolades

Equine Media Awards 2022

1st place in Editorial Human-Animal Bond Photograph Published in TheHorse

1st place in Editorial Action Photograph Published in TheHorse

Equine Media Awards 2021

1st place in Freelance Editorial Photo Published in The Competitive Equestrian

2nd place in Editorial Action Photograph and Freelance Editorial Action Photograph Published in Horse Illustrated

Equine Media Awards 2020

1st Place, Horse and Human Bond Published in Horse Illustrated

2nd place in Equine-Related Editorial Series (writing and photography) Published in Horse Illustrated

Equine Media Awards 2019

1st place for Best Equine Related Non-Fiction Book Published by Amherst Media

Equine Media Awards 2018

2nd place in Editorial Human-Animal Bond Photograph Published in Horse Illustrated

1st Place Business Equine-related Advertising/Marketing Photograph Farnam Horse Ultimate Horse Care Guide

Shoot & Share 2020

8th out of 24,952 Category: Documentary

15th out of 6635 Category: That Just Happened

Shoot & Share 2020

18th out of 6635 Category: That Just Happened

OTHER AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Speaker at 2022, 2019, 2018 American Horse Publications Conference
• Speaker at 2021 Animal Image Maker’s Conference
• Speaker at The 2020 Equine Photography Retreat
• Speaker at WPPI in 2015 Trade Show Speaker at WPPI in 2013 and 2016
• Named one of the Top 50 Wedding Photographers in the US in 2014 by Weddzilla
• Published widely in Equine Magazines
• Guest on many industry podcasts

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I, Gene Oryx, a professional photographer from Moscow city, Russia. In 2016 and 2017 he received silver medals at the annual international competition Photoshoot Awards in Montreal. On the contest, and in 2019 - two bronze medals. In the 35 Awards 2017 was among the top 100 photographers of the year.... see more about geneoryx

Common Photography Career Mistakes

Building a successful photography career requires more than just technical skills and a good eye. It also involves making smart decisions about your finances, time, and overall well-being. Learning from the mistakes of others can save you valuable resources and help you navigate the challenges of the industry. 

Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio , this insightful video offers valuable advice based on Choucino's extensive experience in the photography industry. He candidly discusses the pitfalls he encountered early in his career and provides practical tips to help you avoid similar missteps. Choucino emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions about gear, finances, and work-life balance to build a sustainable and fulfilling career. His insights are particularly relevant for photographers starting their journey, as they often face uncertainty and pressure to invest in the latest equipment or take on any available job. 

Choucino strongly advises against frequently switching camera brands. While the allure of new features and improved technology is understandable, the financial burden and time investment required to adapt to a new system can be significant. He highlights the fact that camera brands continuously strive to outdo each other, making it a never-ending cycle of upgrades. Instead of chasing the latest gear, Choucino recommends investing in quality used equipment, which can offer substantial savings without compromising performance.

Another crucial point Choucino addresses is financial management. He cautions against the "paycheck-to-paycheck" lifestyle and emphasizes the importance of saving for the future and unexpected expenses. He advises photographers to live below their means and establish a financial safety net before making significant purchases. Additionally, Choucino encourages photographers to know their worth and avoid taking on jobs that don't meet their minimum financial requirements. While it's tempting to accept any opportunity, especially early in your career, undervaluing your work can lead to burnout and financial instability.

Finally, Choucino stresses the importance of prioritizing your health and well-being. He shares personal experiences of pushing himself to the point of illness and exhaustion, highlighting the detrimental effects of neglecting self-care. He encourages photographers to find a balance between work and personal life, ensuring adequate rest and recovery to maintain physical and mental health. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino. 

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.