How to Prepare Your Horse for a Black Background Session
Preparing your horse for a black background session can feel a little daunting, but it doesn't have to be! A little preparation goes a long way, and we're here to make the entire process as easy as possible.
Here are a few of our favorite tips to help you and your horse look and feel your best on session day.
What is a Black Background Fine-Art Session?
Black background portraits are studio-inspired portraits created right at your barn.
Depending on the location, we may use a backdrop or off-camera flash, but many of these portraits are created using natural light. During editing, distractions are removed so your horse becomes the entire focus of the image, details are hand drawn making these portraits a one-of-a-kind work of art.
The result is a timeless piece of artwork that showcases your horse without anything taking away from them.
These portraits are also great for sale horses! Removing distracting backgrounds allows potential buyers to focus completely on the horse.
Preparing Yourself
Planning to be in a few photos with your horse? Here's what you need to know.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Don't rush! Give yourself a few hours to get yourself and your horse ready. Whenever possible, have everything organized the day before.
Bring Outfit Options
Have two or three outfits available. You may change your mind once you put something on—or your horse may decide your clean shirt needs a little slobber.
Choose something that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
Schedule Hair & Makeup Early
If you're having your hair or makeup professionally done, schedule it several hours before your session. Leave yourself plenty of time to get home, change, and finish preparing your horse.
Have an Extra Set of Hands
A friend, family member, or barn buddy can be a HUGE help. They can hold your horse while you change, grab forgotten items, help get ears forward, and assist with last-minute touch-ups.
Have Everything Ready
Lay out your:
- Outfits
- Jewelry
- Hats
- Belts
- Boots
- Accessories
Try everything on beforehand so there aren't any surprises on session day.
Preparing Your Horse
My favorite rule for pony picture day?
Be show ready!
You don't have to prepare exactly like you're heading into the show ring, but you want your horse looking their best.
Bathe & Groom
Give your horse a good bath and allow plenty of time for them to completely dry.
Brush them thoroughly, detangle the mane and tail, clean their face and legs, and polish those hooves.
Braiding is completely optional!
Clean Your Tack
Anything going into the photos should be clean.
Wipe down halters, bridles, bits, buckles, boots, and any other tack you're planning to use.
Exercise If Needed
You know your horse best.
If they're typically more relaxed after being ridden or lightly exercised, working them earlier in the day can help.
Just leave plenty of time for them to cool down, dry, eat, and get cleaned back up before your session.
Make Those Whites POP
Spend a little extra time cleaning white markings and socks.
Grooming powder or baby powder can help brighten stubborn whites—just make sure it's blended well.
Try the Dryer Sheet Trick
A used dryer sheet works wonders for picking up those last stubborn pieces of dust, loose dirt, and hay.
Keep one handy for last-minute touch-ups!
Feed Before Your Session
If your session falls around your horse's normal feeding time, try to feed beforehand.
A full, happy horse is much easier to photograph than one listening to somebody pour grain three stalls down.
Don't Forget Fly Spray
If it's warm and the bugs are out, load up on fly spray.
Honestly, spray yourself too. Nobody needs a horsefly causing chaos in the middle of a portrait.
Clip Ahead of Time
If you're clipping your horse, try to do it about a week before your session.
This gives any clipper lines or imperfections a little time to soften.
Keep Them Clean
Once they're clean—keep them clean!
If possible, keep your horse somewhere clean while you're waiting for your session. Have a small grooming kit nearby for quick touch-ups.
Don't Stress About Perfect Behavior
Your horse does not have to stand perfectly still.
They're horses. They move, look around, get distracted, and occasionally decide something they've seen 500 times is suddenly terrifying.
That's okay.
We can move their feet, reset, take breaks, and work with their personality.
Your job is to prepare them the best you can. My job is to work with the horse you bring me.
