Senior pictures with horses..any ideas?

Question

I'm hoping to get some of my senior pics done outside this summer, then some outdoors in the fall, then studio shots. I can only afford it because the guy is my dad's old friend from high school :].....I'm hoping to have some with my horses, but haven't been able to be on either of them since April because of a spinal injury, and don't know when I'll be able to ride again. My one that I feel I might be able to lay on bareback is sort of crazy, as is my 3 year old gelding, so first of all how can I get her to let me sit bareback on her (once I can ride again)? And any good scenery or posing ideas? Really anything would be great...links to pictures are appreciated! Thanks!

**And my doctors have said I can probably start riding again this fall, once I have some nerves cauterized and start therapy to strengthen my neck! So it is doable....as long as the horses don't freak out! They love pictures, so they should be okay.

Answer 1

If you aren't able to ride, a close up on you and your horse's faces looks nice, my friend had a photographer out and they had a pic of her and her horse, where she was standing at her horse's head and it was from her elbows or so up, and her horse's head. It was really nice(though I'm bad at explaining it)

If you are able to get on bareback, I recommend as close up as you can get, with a pretty simple background, maybe by a tree? Nice jeans and a long sleeve shirt looks good(medium or light colored jeans are better-dirt doesn't show up as much)

As for your horse, the simpler the tack the better. If possible, no halter (esp. for not riding pix) and if you do have a bridle, let the reins loose(tight reins are distracting). If you decide to have a saddle on(not a bad option) I personally think western saddles look nicer. DARK saddlepads are good-they don't distract as much. If you have a choice of  western saddles, I personally prefer a light orange/tan color with minimal silver.

For english saddles, it's tough because you really need to have a BLACK saddle and bridle with a VERY clean and white pad. Any dirty spots are very noticable.

Good luck!

As for bareback starting... If possible, have someone else start it for you. If you're coming back from a spinal injury you don't want to get hurt again! If the horse is broke to ride you really shouldn't have too much of a problem riding bareback. Just make sure to sit down softly, as it could be a bit suprising.

Answer 2

My student cadet had her senior picture taken with her chestnut Arabian gelding.  She wasn't riding him, she was lying on her side, propped up on one elbow looking at the camera, and her horse was grazing in the background.  It was absolutely the most beautiful senior picture I've ever seen.  If she'd been on the horse it wouldn't have been half so beautiful!

Answer 3

My son in law is a photographer and he superimposes and does all kinds of things with photos all the time.  He did one where my youngest daughter posed wearing a beautiful white flared dress with a fan blowing her hair, and superimposed her onto a white horse with mane blowing, and superimposed a unicorn horn onto the horse, also superimposed onto a New England background.  It was awesome.  You should look into some creative photography of the horse, then you, then the background and put it all together without any risks.

Answer 4

try these websites and you can get an idea.

http://www.equinephotographers.org/membe...

I love this second one.

http://www.equinephotographers.org/membe...

http://www.equinephotographers.org/membe...

http://www.equinephotographers.org/membe...

I hope i helped.

Answer 5

I've taken several senior's pictures with their horses.  I like to take them early morning or later on in the day, the light looks better.  The nicest one I think I took was when the sun was going down and this gal had an Arabian gelding.  We were done taking pictures, and she put a peppermint candy in her mouth.  The horse smelled the candy and sniffed at her face and I snapped another picture.  The Arab had his curious head and neck just perfect. The breeze was blowing her hair a little off her face and she was giggling at her horse. The sunset was amazing.  That was the one she ended up using for her senior pictures.  Her parents have a big print of that one too.  One of those right place at the right time things.

A little hint, don't wear anything too flashy or distracting.  You want the attention on you and your horse.  Pick an interesting background, like maybe one of your favorite places to ride?

I agree with the other post, you can get better senior pictures without being on your horse's back.  Close ups turn out better.

Nice job, thunderhorse!  That's what I was talking about with the gals not wearing anything too distracting.  Backgrounds are good too!  I also love that second picture.

Answer 6

My cousin did the same thing. SHe stood infront of a really pretty oak with fall leaves falling and on the ground with some hay bales and a pumpkin and had her white arabian mare stand next to her with the horses head resting on her shoulder. It looked really nice. She also did one with her quarter horse where she is on him bareback. laying forward by a pond. like this-http://journal.thefarmattralee.com/horse...

(but she was more relaxed , with her but down more)

I ALSO LOVE THIS STYLE-http://www.equinephotographers.org/membe...

Answer 7

i was gonna suggest bareback~ they make adorable pictures

idk how old the first horse you were talking about is.. but i would suggest just getting a mounting block and putting pressure on her back, then just sitting on her bareback. its not like you have to ride her. she doesnt have to be dead broke.. she can be a little nuts.. as long as she can stand for a little amount of time you need. you just need to work with her

sorry if im no help :(

Answer 8

Who says you have to be ON the horse for senior photos?  A friend of mine had lovely senior photos hugging her horse, for example.

I actually find it difficult to make a nice composition when the person is ON the horse... especially those shots where they lean forward and hug the horse.  You either get cleavage showing (that's trashy...) or the horse's nose is huge and cartoonish due to it being closer to the lens

Answer 9

Why don't you try pictures standing under a nice tree, holding the lead or walking. You don't necessarily have to ride.