Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
- Clean all of your tack and anything that you might want for photos
- Give your horse a good bath and apply fly spray once he's dried. Keep fly spray handy!
- Remember any cosmetics you may want applied to your horse, and put those on, such as bands in the mane, hoof polish, tail extensions, and petroleum jelly.
- Petroleum jelly around the eyes of a horse with black skin will make the eyes appear bigger in photos.
- Feed your horse before the shoot, so he is not worried about dinner. And don't forget to feed yourself!
- Clip your horse. If your horse is not clipped often, or if you are inexperienced with clipping, I suggest clipping a week before the shoot. This way, the hair has a bit of time to even out, but still looks short and neat.
- Show sheen will make your horse really shine.
- If your horse has a lot of energy and you're worried about him behaving himself during the shoot, I suggest lounging or round penning him. This way he will sweat more evenly than if he is ridden, and you wont be left with saddle marks (which can become darker if he's bathed afterwards!)
- Find a friend to be an assistant. An assistant can help get the horse's attention.
- Get a bucket of grain or a bag of treats ready as a reward an motivator
- I highly do not suggest wearing white in photos with horses, as it can easily get dirty and reflects light.
- Find a few pretty places around your barn that you would like to be photographed at.
- If you feel like your tack may be insufficient, see if you can borrow something from a friend. Make sure to give it a thorough cleaning before and after!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What sort of camera do you use?
I shoot with a Nikon D80 or Nikon D200 and have both a standard lense and a macro lense.
2. Do you ever shoot in film?
I do own a Nikon D80 that I use for emergency back-up (although it's never been needed!). I no longer shoot in film due to rising costs in today's economy.
3. Will you digitally edit any photos?
Because I shoot digitally, it is very easy for me to digitally manipulate images for minor edits. I will remove flies, stray hairs, and acne marks from all images. At your request, I can remove scars. I will NOT remove brands or alter the conformation of a horse.
4. Will the watermark that appears on your website photos be added to my images?
A small watermark will be applied to all images larger than 5 x 7, unless requested otherwise at an additional cost. The large watermark that appears on most of the photos will not be present in the images and is only to protect copywrites for the images on this website.
5. Why do you retain the rights to photographs of my horse when I own the horse?
Photography is a form of art. A painter who paints a picture of a bridge that he sees retains the rights to his painting, even though he does not own nor did he construct the bridge. In the same fashion, a portrait taken of an equine or any other animal or subject matter remains the property of the photographer.
6. How long does the shoot last?
Usually about 45 minutes per horse, but may be more or less depending on the horse.
7. When are you available?
I prefer to shoot in the morning or evening, as the sun's glow is more indirect. I am usually available on weekends, but am also available some weekday evenings.
8. How many images do you normally take?
Depending on your contract, I will shoot usually 60-100 images, but will only present my best to you. I do NOT charge by number of images or "filling the card" because I fee that quantity doesn't always reflect quality.
9. How long does it take before I can see my proofs?
Usually you can expect about three to four weeks. I like to digitally alter images to make them more artistic, unless requested otherwise. Because I will be working on a number of images at once, it may take a few weeks until your photos are available to you.
10. Can I use my images to promote my horse for sale or my farm?
This depends on which package you purchase. When I take a photograph, all the rights of that photograph belong to me and I may use that photograph in any way. However, those same rights do not apply to the owner of the subject of the photograph automatically; they must be granted. If you choose the advertising package, you are buying the rights to use your photographs for marketing your horses, business, or services. If you choose the personal package, you are only buying the individual photographs and not the rights to copy, print, or use the images for marketing. In no case may images be sold for a profit.
11. Can I order reprints?
Yes, please contact me for pricing and availability.
I shoot with a Nikon D80 or Nikon D200 and have both a standard lense and a macro lense.
2. Do you ever shoot in film?
I do own a Nikon D80 that I use for emergency back-up (although it's never been needed!). I no longer shoot in film due to rising costs in today's economy.
3. Will you digitally edit any photos?
Because I shoot digitally, it is very easy for me to digitally manipulate images for minor edits. I will remove flies, stray hairs, and acne marks from all images. At your request, I can remove scars. I will NOT remove brands or alter the conformation of a horse.
4. Will the watermark that appears on your website photos be added to my images?
A small watermark will be applied to all images larger than 5 x 7, unless requested otherwise at an additional cost. The large watermark that appears on most of the photos will not be present in the images and is only to protect copywrites for the images on this website.
5. Why do you retain the rights to photographs of my horse when I own the horse?
Photography is a form of art. A painter who paints a picture of a bridge that he sees retains the rights to his painting, even though he does not own nor did he construct the bridge. In the same fashion, a portrait taken of an equine or any other animal or subject matter remains the property of the photographer.
6. How long does the shoot last?
Usually about 45 minutes per horse, but may be more or less depending on the horse.
7. When are you available?
I prefer to shoot in the morning or evening, as the sun's glow is more indirect. I am usually available on weekends, but am also available some weekday evenings.
8. How many images do you normally take?
Depending on your contract, I will shoot usually 60-100 images, but will only present my best to you. I do NOT charge by number of images or "filling the card" because I fee that quantity doesn't always reflect quality.
9. How long does it take before I can see my proofs?
Usually you can expect about three to four weeks. I like to digitally alter images to make them more artistic, unless requested otherwise. Because I will be working on a number of images at once, it may take a few weeks until your photos are available to you.
10. Can I use my images to promote my horse for sale or my farm?
This depends on which package you purchase. When I take a photograph, all the rights of that photograph belong to me and I may use that photograph in any way. However, those same rights do not apply to the owner of the subject of the photograph automatically; they must be granted. If you choose the advertising package, you are buying the rights to use your photographs for marketing your horses, business, or services. If you choose the personal package, you are only buying the individual photographs and not the rights to copy, print, or use the images for marketing. In no case may images be sold for a profit.
11. Can I order reprints?
Yes, please contact me for pricing and availability.