Wedding photo shoot with horses – some romantic ideas

How to Prepare for Photos with Horses

It can be difficult for a person who has no experience communicating with horses to communicate with the animal at the first meeting. This happens especially often due to the size of the pet. Horses also have a capricious character. To implement your planned plot, you need to prepare mentally in advance: get rid of the fear that the horse will bite or kick you. Very often this feeling appears on the eve of a photo shoot. The danger is that the model’s smile will be insincere and fear will be visible in her eyes. You are unlikely to be able to hide your dislike for an animal, so it is better to get to know him in advance.

Remember that the horse will not pose the way you want it to. Even a trained animal will not freeze and stand still on command: one way or another, it will not be possible to avoid movements in the frame. Possible wagging of the tail, stepping from foot to foot. The horse will want to have a snack if the photo shoot is held outdoors in the summer. Another tip that will help you avoid excesses during the shooting process: Make sure you have insect repellent, if a photo shoot with horses is planned outdoors, then inflamed areas from mosquito bites will not have to be cleaned up in Photoshop.

Details

Seasons

In winter you can take many beautiful photographs that are reminiscent of a winter fairy tale. There are many options for a winter photo shoot. The bride's snow-white wedding dress will look great next to a bay horse on a snowy forest path. Excellent photographs can be taken on the alley of a park located within the city or in a forest against a backdrop of snow-white trees. An excellent photo would be one in which the groom, in the guise of a fairy-tale prince, leads a horse with his chosen one by the bridle.

Modern newlyweds like to act in classic Russian images. For example, racing in a sleigh drawn by brave horses. To create an image, props are used (bright shawls, ribbons, bells, colorful mittens), which make the photo more vibrant and attractive.

In spring, you can organize a ride on horseback or in a carriage.
This prop is available in every equestrian club. This attribute will make the “journey” more mysterious and romantic, especially if your wedding celebration is held in the appropriate style, for example, medieval. A forest road can be a place for a photo shoot, but this does not mean that the newlyweds cannot take a carriage ride along the old streets of Moscow. For a wedding in a rustic style, an original solution would be to use a cart or gig. Any location outside the city can be suitable for filming. In the summer , at the height of the wedding season, you should think about organizing a photo shoot in advance. Photo sessions in nature (in a square, park area, on the shore of a reservoir, in a forest clearing, etc.) are considered the most popular in the summer. However, it should be borne in mind that animals do not tolerate summer heat well, so it is better to conduct filming in the morning.

In the fall , during the traditional wedding period, a photo shoot with horses is the most successful. There is no heat, the weather (especially at the beginning of autumn) is favorable, nature pleases with a variety of colors. Against the backdrop of lush colors (greens, yellows, gold, red shades), the pictures are simply mesmerizing.

In bad weather, you can shoot in a stable; to do this, you need to take care of additional props in advance and, in addition, find a clean room.

Ideas for photography with horses

The event can be held at any time of the year, although more often people prefer summer. During this period, all participants in the photo shoot feel more comfortable. As for the location of the shooting, there are practically no restrictions unless the animal owner puts forward them. As a rule, the event can be held far from the equestrian club, if finances and weather conditions allow.

7 ways to save on rent
What you need to do with chicken before cooking
How to apply blush correctly photo step by step

Horse photographer

You need to choose a photographer carefully - the quality of the pictures you get will depend on him. A good photographer will be able to get the most out of your chosen location and images. But not everyone knows how to photograph horses, so when you meet them, ask the photographer for examples of his work specifically with horses. Separately, it is worth clarifying whether your photographer is ready to “remove” the cord from the photographs during retouching, which the instructor will use to insure the horse.

Find out more about photo sessions with horses in Kyiv from the Equestrian Portal of Ukraine.

Winter photo shoot

Carrying out surveys in the winter season has some restrictions based on territorial location. You will have to choose between a snow-covered pasture and another similar area, which is located in close proximity to the equestrian club. Winter landscapes look very attractive, so an experienced photographer will not have any difficulty in choosing the right background and props, for example, capes with a hood or the image of a Russian aristocrat.

Photo session of a couple with a horse

Coming up with a plot for a romantic photograph of a couple in love with a horse is very difficult. More often, a guy and a girl are on horseback or near them. However, a special arrangement of models can save the situation. For example, for a girl and a guy, choose horses of different colors, conduct a photo shoot at sunset, and the couple can simply hold the animals by the bridle and hug each other sweetly. A horse-drawn carriage also looks good in a photo with lovers. A walk decorated in retro style will become a memorable event in life and strengthen relationships.

About a professional photo shoot with a horse

Looking through the Instagram feeds of foreign horse owners, every time I get aesthetic pleasure from beautiful photos with horses. Each frame is poetry, revealing to us stories about friendship, love between a particular person and a horse. Very touching relationships, ideological performances, dynamic scenes filmed against the backdrop of stunning sunsets or snow-covered trees... Such professional photo sessions with horses are inspiring! Undoubtedly, they decorate the personal page of the horse owner and are liked by people far from the equestrian world.

And then I asked myself: why is there so little professional equestrian photography in our country? I often see professional photographs taken in studios, on the street, in cafes, and sports clubs.

Maybe equestrians are sorry to spend a whole day on a professional photo shoot with a horse or are embarrassed by its cost? I ruled out the latter right away: every month we pay for the maintenance of the horse, buy ammunition, and we could easily just not buy a third halter or blanket, but take stunning photographs of ourselves and our horse. Perhaps the last reason is simple laziness, which kills initiative.

And here I took the liberty of offering small recommendations for those who still dare to become a “pioneer” and take part in a professional photo shoot with horses.

So, what do you need to do to get good photos with a horse?

What to wear to a photo shoot? It's up to you to decide: rent an unusual suit or go through your wardrobe. Of course, a costume in the steampunk or gothic style wins from the very first notes... But this is not enough. It is very important to choose the clothes that suit your look. Consult a photographer. Even if it is a very beautiful and unusual dress, if it does not suit you, it is better to refuse it. Modern clothing now suits everyone - everyone is used to it and it does not cause rejection, even if it does not really suit the figure of the person wearing it. Detailed recommendations here How to dress for a photo shoot with horses.

Find a photographer in your city. Preferably a professional with experience in photographing horses and people. Such a photographer feels the horse well, at the subconscious level, knows how to predict its behavior and capture the right moment. As a rule, he also has photographic equipment suitable for your tasks. You can find a professional among amateurs by his portfolio, cost of services and the expected duration of the photo shoot process itself.
Come up with an idea for a photo shoot. This is the main task from which we will proceed further. The idea doesn't have to be mega-original. It is enough to think through three points for a photo shoot with a horse to turn out well: a) what to wear to the photo shoot b) where you will be photographed c) what you will do during the photo session with the horse. But if you want more, start thinking now! For example, I saw an unusual photo shoot where a model girl was shopping, walking with a cute pony (like a dog) through the streets. Throughout the walk, she had shopping bags from different brands.

Where will the photography take place? It is advisable to choose a place for a photo shoot near the stables. To do this, it is better to take a walk in advance and look at possible places for shooting. If you are confident in the calmness of your horse, then you can go further away from the stable. Of course, we must take into account the time of year and lighting. The place you have your eye on while walking at sunset may turn out to be completely unsuitable for shooting during the day or morning. I recommend taking photographs in different places - the pictures will be more varied. It is enough to choose 2-3 locations, for example, in the forest, on the field and by the river. Don’t be upset if there is no river near your stable – not everyone is so lucky. Search and you will definitely find a beautiful place! Even in the same location, a professional photographer can take photographs with completely different backgrounds and surroundings.
How to take photos with a horse, what to do at a photo shoot? There are two options: next to the horse and riding on it. If you've tried all the poses and nothing comes to mind, remember what you and your horse can do. Many private horses know how to stand on a candle, bow, etc. Of course, it will be beautiful if you ride with the breeze. It’s good if “at sunset” or so that the snow flies away. Sometimes a calm photo session is appropriate - here you should take into account the mood and temperament of the horse! It is very important. During the daytime hours, horses tend to take a siesta.
To get a good shot, you will most likely have to do several takes. Of course, this will take both time and effort! How else? A photo shoot is the work of not only the photographer, but also the model and the horse. Remember how films are made - the actors do not leave the set for the whole shooting day, which is 12 hours! Of course, we are not models, but anyone can endure two hours. This is what distinguishes a professional photo shoot from an amateur “saw-and-shot” one.

Thus, a photo shoot with horses is not a boring event at all. Moreover, I will tell you that it is even interesting! Most often, after the first photo shoot, many models (even without seeing the photos) already dream of realizing new ideas that came to them during the shooting.

It is possible that after reading this article, someone will want to pick up a camera and, inspired, you yourself will start shooting! This is exactly what happened to me 8 years ago. I wish you good, creative and sincere photos with your four-legged happiness! I’ll talk about how best to photograph a horse in another article.

I used my photographs in the article. Horses in the photo: KZ Kovcheg, Ensemble “Cossack Cardon” © Maxim Zorin, 2021 | VKontakte: VKontakte Group My website: Photo sessions with horses in St. Petersburg

Girl with a horse

A man will look better on horseback, but not everyone is trained to ride. More often in photographs you can see a girl with a horse, and even a pregnant model can participate in the process. You can organize a shoot at any time, without waiting for a special or memorable date. The result will be photographs that the girl and her loved ones will enjoy for many years to come. Particularly beautiful photographs will be those that show the subtle connection between horse and person, but only if every detail is thought out.

Parental controls on your computer
New inspection and alcohol test for drivers in 2019
Honey cake

Tips for preparing for a photo shoot on horses

Before choosing horses for a romantic wedding photo shoot, it is worth visiting in advance the stables and equestrian clubs closest to the place of painting of young people that provide services for providing horses for the holiday. Be sure to observe the behavior of animals in their usual conditions, and also pay attention to the people who care for them. When choosing horses for a photo shoot, check the cleanliness of the stables where the horses are kept.

To organize wedding photography with horses, you will need to sign a corresponding agreement. Check the full rental price in advance and carefully study all clauses of the contract. Do not be tempted by tempting offers from dubious animal owners. To avoid unpleasant surprises during a wedding photo shoot, you should approach the issue of renting a horse responsibly.

It would be a good idea for young people to learn the basics of horse riding at the nearest equestrian club. Basic skills will help prevent unexpected incidents, which are often associated with fear of large animals, as well as a lack of appropriate knowledge about them. Take help from a professional riding instructor. The ideal option is to learn to ride a horse and take a mount from the same trainer.

When choosing a horse, preference should be given to the calmest animal. Check with your instructor about the behavioral characteristics of different horses. After the choice is made, meet the future participant in the photo shoot, try to get used to him, ride him. Keep in mind that each horse has its own character, which should be taken into account when choosing an animal.

Find the place where the wedding photo shoot will take place in advance. At the same time, take into account the time of year, as well as the weather that is predicted on the day of filming. To take spectacular photos in summer, you should give preference to green areas, coniferous forests with clearings. The location of the wedding photo shoot should definitely be discussed with the horse’s owner, as you may not be allowed to take the animal far from its usual location. Be sure to inform the instructor of the date and time by which the horses must be prepared.

Wedding photo shoot

Wedding photography with horses is always relevant. Filming is carried out outdoors, regardless of the time of year. It often happens that newlyweds are ready to spend a significant amount of money on this event. It’s especially great if you can hold a costume photo shoot. For example, in the Russian style of the 17th century. The main rule is that you only need to invite a professional photographer with experience in such photography and knowledge of the characteristic features of horses. If the equestrian club offers its own specialist from the state, you should not refuse this service.

Such photography requires mandatory staging. This will significantly transform and fill the photo with kindness. A well-chosen place for a photo shoot will only emphasize the solemnity of the event. It is worth remembering the weather and thinking about a backup plan in case of strong wind or rain. Although more often in this case they prefer to postpone the event.

General information

Horses are smart and wayward animals with certain habits. Based on this, you should not put off communicating with them until the last day. The choice of a horse should be approached responsibly and seriously. Animal owners may themselves offer you horses for filming, however, there is no need to rush. Study the habits, see in what conditions the animal is kept, and how it behaves. Once you have made your choice, you should make sure that the horse gets used to you.

To do this, you can take several lessons in riding the animal that is supposed to participate in photography. This gives some guarantee that the photo shoot will be calm and successful.

You need to draw up a contract with the owner, carefully read the terms and conditions and sign the document only when all the points have been studied. Keep in mind that the rental price is quite high, so you should not “buy” on a low price, which may hide an unpleasant nuance.

For photography, you should choose calm animals. It is better to develop a route for a photo shoot in advance, at least a few days before it takes place. It would be ideal if you walk this route with your horse. It should be noted that these animals have a good memory, and they will definitely remember the places where you plan to film. This is another nuance in favor of the fact that the animal will feel calm and familiar.

For lovers of unusual photos of horses at a wedding, this is a creative solution. There are many ideas for a photo shoot, and they may vary depending on the time of year in which the event is held.

Photos of horses with children

No special preparation or special staging is required for a photo shoot. A child may like a beautiful costume or a princess look (for a girl). An experienced photographer without props is able to convey children’s delight in the chosen subject. The child can be placed on a horse and given the reins in his hands. The moment where the little model feeds the animal from her hand will be bright and memorable. If your child feels awkward in front of the camera, having a horse in the frame can help overcome this problem.

Poses for a photo shoot with horses

The event can become a source of positive emotions. In addition to taking beautiful and original photographs, at the equestrian club you can learn horse riding and have an unforgettable ride on the training ground. Do not be afraid that you will not get along with the horse, since only calm and obedient animals are provided for photo sessions. An experienced photographer will always listen to the ideas of the future model and offer his own vision of the image. There are certain poses that will help create a winning composition in a photograph:

Wedding photoset: newlyweds lead a pair of stallions by the bridle, the bride sits on horseback and the groom leads a horse, the girl peers into the distance, waiting for her prince on a horse, posing in a carriage, a themed photo shoot with horses.
A family photo, in which both adults and children can be on horseback during a walk (to ensure safety, you need to take care of the child’s appearance: a helmet, gloves, high boots, accessories).
Shooting in nature: against the backdrop of haystacks, near the water, at the edge of the forest, in a birch grove (you need to think about clothes in advance; a light dress is suitable for a girl, and a cowboy suit for a man).

You don't have to be photographed on horseback every time. A person can be nearby, for example, sit down to rest or just press their cheek. In any case, it is worth thinking about the composition in advance, since in some cases you will need to have special props. The presence of small details in a photograph always makes it more full and alive.

Interesting poses

During a leisurely walk, a couple can look into each other's eyes or kiss. The main thing here is to stay on the same level. This option is well suited for those who feel great in the saddle.

Photo next to the horse. It’s as if the couple decided to relax after a long walk. While holding the horse, the groom can tenderly hug the bride. Kisses also look good next to a horse.

A couple sits on the same horse. The groom hugs and kisses his beloved from behind her.

The bride can sit on a horse alone, and the groom can stand nearby. At the same time, both reach out to each other to kiss.
One variation of this pose is for the groom to take his bride in his arms straight from the saddle. At this moment it is important to look at each other. This will emphasize the romance of the atmosphere.
The bride can take photos alone. You can also capture a girl while galloping (if she rides a horse well). Excellent angle - from the back or in profile. At such moments, your hair flutters beautifully in the wind. A professional photographer will definitely catch such a shot.

You can also take static photos. The bride hugs the horse, leaning her entire body on it.

The bride stands with a bouquet waiting for the groom. Some wedding dresses are very uncomfortable to ride on a horse. Therefore, the bride can simply look into the distance, while her prince gallops towards him.

Tender shots will be obtained if the bride feeds the horse from her hands or strokes its head. At the same time, the groom can stand nearby and look at his beloved with tenderness.

The newlyweds are sitting on different horses almost opposite each other. The bride extends her hand to the groom. He takes her tenderly and kisses her.

The bride can sit astride a horse, while the groom leads the horse at a leisurely pace, as if controlling the whole process. Both are looking at the camera.

When photographing with a horse, it is important to remember that it is not just a prop, but a living creature. It feels everything, so treat the horse with respect, listen to its wishes and do not offend it. Only then can your photo shoot go smoothly and leave behind only pleasant impressions and beautiful pictures.