Horse & Rider Session Tips for a Smooth Session

When you're planning a horse and rider session, there’s a little more involved than just picking out an outfit and showing up with a smile.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated.

A little preplanning can make your whole horse and rider photography session run more smoothly and help both you and your horse feel more relaxed.

Get Your Horse Spruced Up

Your horse doesn’t have to spend the whole day in the spa, but a little grooming will make a big difference in your horse and rider portraits.

If the weather cooperates, give them a bath the day before or the morning of your session. If a bath isn’t realistic, a good brushing works too. Be sure to pay extra attention to the mane and tail, work out the tangles, and clean up any mud, dust, or grass stains.

If you normally clip or trim your horse, I’d do that a week or two ahead of time instead of the day of the session. That way, if there is an oops, it has a little time to grow out and hide it.

Basically, give them the same once-over you would if you were getting ready to head somewhere to compete.

Don’t Forget Their Accessories — Tack

This is an area that sometimes gets overlooked, but it is important because your tack will definitely show in your horse and rider pictures.

If you are using your saddle, bridle, halter, breast collar, or anything else, give it a good cleaning before the session. Wipe down the leather. Dust, dried sweat, and mud are not nice to see in pictures. Make sure to polish any silver on saddles, halters, or breast collars. Make it shine like new.

Also make sure your tack fits your horse properly. If something needs adjusted, take care of that before your session.

Just like with the outfits you choose, this is probably not the day to try something completely new or out of the ordinary. Stick with tack and equipment that you and your horse are comfortable with.

Keep Your Horse Happy

You know your horse best.

If they tend to be a little fresh, lunge them or go for a ride beforehand to work off some of that extra energy before your equine portrait session. Just enough to take the edge off so they can relax, pay attention to you, and do what you ask.

And feeding…please feed them before the session.

A horse that is comfortable and satisfied is usually much easier to work with than one that wants to spend the entire session reaching for grass.

Most of All, Don’t Forget About YOU

It’s easy to spend so much time getting your horse ready that you end up rushing yourself.

Give yourself plenty of time to get completely ready so you aren’t starting your session already stressed.

It can also be a great idea to bring a helper. Someone who can help with outfit changes, swap tack, hold your horse, carry things, or grab those last-minute items can make everything run much more smoothly.

It gives you a little time to breathe and enjoy the experience too.

Choose Outfits That Feel Like You

Bring outfits that are comfortable and feel like you. Jeans and boots, a favorite shirt, a dress, a nicer outfit, a cowboy hat, or even something a little more dressed up can all work beautifully.

Variety is always a good thing, and it’s nice to have choices.

Also be mindful of the colors in your outfits and how they work with your horse and tack. Choosing colors that complement each other helps create a more cohesive look throughout your final gallery of horse and rider portraits.

Most of all, wear something you feel confident in. If you’re comfortable and not constantly adjusting or fiddling with your clothes, it shows in your pictures.

Keep It Simple

Your horse and rider session should be a fun and memorable experience.

These sessions are about creating photographs of you with a horse that has become an important part of your life. Whether you compete together, ride trails, work cattle, spend your evenings in the arena, or simply enjoy having them around, that relationship is what I want your photographs to show.

And if you’re stuck on choosing outfits, tack, or what will work best with your horse, send me pictures ahead of time. As a Nebraska horse and rider photographer, I’m happy to help you put everything together so it photographs well without making it complicated.

If you’re ready to start planning your horse and rider photography session in Central Nebraska, use the link below to get st