GROOMING GUIDE
Taking photos can be intimidating, but I promise you there is nothing to fear! My sessions are laid back and super easy.
Think of it as less like a big formal shoot and more like showing off your horse to a new friend (while getting some great pictures while we're at it!).
Your Equine Art Session is the perfect way to create keepsakes of your once-in-a-lifetime horse as classic fine art.
But before we get there, let's go through a few tips and tricks to prepare for your shoot. The below sections will go over what to expect during your session and how to get your horse ready for their closeup.
So don't stress - let's make art together!
THIS IS GOING TO BE EASY
Relax...
IT'S OK TO FEEL A BIT NERVOUS.
Brianna (loved by "Opie")
"Bethany is a wonderfully talented artist who also really impressed me with her professionalism and dedication to produce photos that were beyond my expectation! The photos are absolutely stunning but the part that impressed me the most was after the shoot when she guided me through the process of selecting the appropriate size print and the right medium for maximum enjoyment of the artwork. I learned so much from the entire process and felt with 100% certainty that Bethany was helping me choose what I wanted during each step. Bethany is my first recommendation to anyone looking for gorgeous, unique artwork!"
ERICA (loved by "TRISTAN")
"Bethany knows horses, the way she spoke and moved, it made sense, the whole experience was part of the pleasure. You see, I have lots of photos of my horse but the photos Bethany created are special. They are worthy of being called artwork and they are 100 percent my horse. It gives me shivers to see not just his outward appearance, the pose, but to actually see his personality flowing out to me—it's magical."
Barbara (loved by "brilliant")
"Bethany came prepared and professional. She worked well with both my horse and the ideas I had in mind for photos. She absolutely exceeded my expectations! I am so happy with the work that was created in the photos and the artwork that we decided on. The artwork is now the center of attention in our home. If you are a horse person I think you will understand that. I would highly recommend you seek Bethany out if you are thinking of having some photos done of your horse. She is top-notch and so very creative."
MISSY (LOVED BY "TARTAN")
"Please don’t deny yourself the opportunity to commemorate your partnership with your equine. Be prepared to laugh and cry, its a wonderful experience. Bethany’s work is amazing, I hope your photos are as stunning as mine were and they give you joy for years to come! Life is short, buy the boots, love your horse, get some fabulous pictures!"
BRIANNA (LOVED BY "OPIE")
"Bethany is a wonderfully talented artist who also really impressed me with her professionalism and dedication to produce photos that were beyond my expectation! The photos are absolutely stunning but the part that impressed me the most was after the shoot when she guided me through the process of selecting the appropriate size print and the right medium for maximum enjoyment of the artwork. I learned so much from the entire process and felt with 100% certainty that Bethany was helping me choose what I wanted during each step. Bethany is my first recommendation to anyone looking for gorgeous, unique artwork!"
ERICA (LOVED BY "TRISTAN")
"Bethany knows horses, the way she spoke and moved, it made sense, the whole experience was part of the pleasure. You see, I have lots of photos of my horse but the photos Bethany created are special. They are worthy of being called artwork and they are 100 percent my horse. It gives me shivers to see not just his outward appearance, the pose, but to actually see his personality flowing out to me—it's magical."
BARBARA (LOVED BY "BRILLIANT")
"Bethany came prepared and professional. She worked well with both my horse and the ideas I had in mind for photos. She absolutely exceeded my expectations! I am so happy with the work that was created in the photos and the artwork that we decided on. The artwork is now the center of attention in our home. If you are a horse person I think you will understand that. I would highly recommend you seek Bethany out if you are thinking of having some photos done of your horse. She is top-notch and so very creative."
MISSY (LOVED BY "TARTAN")
"Please don’t deny yourself the opportunity to commemorate your partnership with your equine. Be prepared to laugh and cry, its a wonderful experience. Bethany’s work is amazing, I hope your photos are as stunning as mine were and they give you joy for years to come! Life is short, buy the boots, love your horse, get some fabulous pictures!"
THE PORTRAIT PROCESS
FROM SHOOT TO PRINT
I'll contact you to confirm our scheduled date and time are still good barring any emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. This is a great time to ask any last questions before your shoot as well.
1 WEEK
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
I always check the weather! If everything looks sunny, you'll get a quick note from me 2 days before with a thumbs up. If the weather looks iffy, I'll be in close touch with you up to the day of our session. Most weather conditions are acceptable with the exception of snow and significant rain.
Remaining session fee balances are also due 48 hours before your session.
1-2 DAYS
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
I'll arrive 15 minutes early to set up for our shoot. Don't worry! I'm not there to rush your preparations! Once our session starts - I'll take it from there with gentle instructions and a laid back atmosphere. By the end of our session, we'll have captured your heart horse as stunning, classic art.
THE DAY OF
YOUR SESSION
IMAGE SELECTION APPOINTMENT:
We'll meet over zoom to view unedited proofs from your session so you can select which 8 poses you love the most for final delivery. Love more than 8? You'll have an opportunity to purchase additional images you can't part with during our meeting.
Keep an eye on Bethany P's Facebook and Instagram for a sneak peek from your session! @bethanypphotography
1 WEEK
AFTER YOUR SESSION
GALLERY REVEAL APPOINTMENT:
We'll review your completed images during your final zoom meeting as well as complete your final selections for artwork in your home. Using cell phone images of your home's walls, we'll create digital mockups together during the call so you feel confident in your art investment.
4-6 WEEKS
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Your artwork will arrive at your doorstep to be cherished as heirlooms forever. I can't wait to see how they look in your home!
8-12 WEEKS
AFTER YOUR SESSION
THE PORTRAIT PROCESS
FROM SHOOT TO PRINT
IMAGE SELECTION APPOINTMENT:
We'll meet over zoom to view unedited proofs from your session so you can select which 8 poses you love the most for final delivery. Love more than 8? You'll have an opportunity to purchase additional images you can't part with during our meeting.
Keep an eye on Bethany P's Facebook and Instagram for a sneak peek from your session! @bethanypphotography
1 WEEK
AFTER YOUR SESSION
GALLERY REVEAL APPOINTMENT:
We'll review your completed images during your final zoom meeting as well as complete your final selections for artwork in your home. Using cell phone images of your home's walls, we'll create digital mockups together during the call so you feel confident in your art investment. All included fine art credit from your session fee must be spent within 30 days of your Gallery Reveal meeting before it expires.
4-6 WEEKS
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Your artwork will arrive at your doorstep to be cherished as heirlooms forever. I can't wait to see how they look in your home!
8-12 WEEKS
AFTER YOUR SESSION
I'll contact you to confirm our scheduled date and time are still good barring any emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. This is a great time to ask any last questions before your shoot as well.
1 WEEK
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
I always check the weather! If everything looks sunny, you'll get a quick note from me 2 days before with a thumbs up. If the weather looks iffy, I'll be in close touch with you up to the day of our session. Most weather conditions are acceptable with the exception of snow and significant rain.
Remaining session fee balances are also due 48 hours before your session.
1-2 DAYS
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
I'll arrive 15 minutes early to set up for our shoot. Don't worry! I'm not there to rush your preparations! Once our session starts - I'll take it from there with gentle instructions and a laid back atmosphere. By the end of our session, we'll have captured your heart horse as stunning, classic art.
THE DAY OF
YOUR SESSION
LET'S capture your living, breathing work of art ...
forever.
Most people think a photoshoot it going to be awkward, boring, and full of anxiety. Will my horse behave? What about his ears? How do I keep him interested?
The truth is, we WANT your horse to act his natural self. While I bring plenty of props and snacks to entice him into the right position, I'm thrilled to see their natural goofy character and capture it for you as a timeless heirloom
We'll start off by just hanging out for a few minutes to get to know you and for you to introduce me to your heart horse. Once we're ready to pick up the camera, it's all about producing honest, genuine expressions from your horse - both classic poses and unique portraits that accurately reflect your horse's personality.
So have a fun spa day with your horse and let me take care of the rest!
WHAT TO EXPECT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Over the years, I've collected the answers to the most asked questions when preparing for your shoot. The following section will help guide you in planning for the best results as well as how to groom your horse so he looks his absolute best! If you still have questions after reading through this guide, DEFINITELY get in touch with me so I can go over any concerns.
WHAT KIND OF SPACE IS REQUIRED?
I use natural light to create these one-of-a-kind portraits without any light or backdrop setup. I do require a large opening to shoot in. This can be the end of a barn aisle, indoor arena entryway, large covered arena, or covered shedrow.
PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL POSSIBLE ENTRY WAYS ARE SWEPT/RAKED CLEAN PRIOR TO YOUR SESSION.
SHOULD I BRAID MY HORSE?
As cliche as it sounds, I recommend picturing your horse in your mind.
Is he braided? Or unbraided?
How you envision your horse mentally is how you'll want to enjoy him on your walls every day.
But in case you're still on the fence, here are a few examples to help you decide:
Braided
Unbraided
CAN I BE IN THE PHOTOS?
Absolutely! If you'd like to be included in a few (or all!), just let me know in advance.
Avoid wearing a black or white top, and please ensure all clothes are fitted, wrinkle free, and without stains. This means you'll likely need to prep your horse in a different outfit than what you'd like to be photographed in.
I also REQUIRE you have a friend or family member present for your shoot if you plan to be in the photos to ensure a smooth session while you change.
CAN YOU FIX MY SUNBLEACHED BLACK HORSE?
If your black horse tends to bleach in the summer time, I highly recommend booking a session in winter with a body clip or early to late Spring when they have just shed out. Slight sunbleaching can be adjusted in editing, but excessive bleaching (particularly with black horses who tend to bleach brown in the summer months) is difficult to remove and may not product the final portrait your envisioning.
CAN YOU EDIT THIS OUT?
Extensive touch ups are included in the process for making perfect portraits. So don't worry - small cuts, marks, fungus, and "battle wounds" are easily removed and at no extra charge.
Some things I cannot edit out: excessive dirt, wet spots (leftover from baths), winter woolies, nose chains (please avoid using these!), and broken or ill-fitting tack.
CAN YOU PHOTOGRAPH MY HORSES TOGETHER?
YES!
For no extra charge, I can place your horses together into a final portrait. Horses are actually photographed separately and placed together during the editing process. A session fee still applies for each individual horse.
HALTER, BRIDLE, OR TACKLESS?
When you close your eyes, do you picture your horse with a bridle, in a halter, or bare? What look best represents your horse? These portraits will be cherished and enjoyed for many years, so now is the time to think through how you want to view your horse as art on your wall. Let's talk about the options:
A simple, timeless choice - halters make a classic statement. Avoid nylon halters as they do not photograph well and may distract from your horse's features. Well fitting leather, rope, or braided halters are quite attractive - just make sure it has been cleaned and conditioned before the shoot.
Halter
NEED INSPIRATION?
I encourage you to look through my work on Facebook or on my website for plenty of examples. Let your mind be inspired!
The most popular choice, bridles are as unique to your horse as clothes are to a person! Bridles are a great way to highlight your horse in a way that pays homage to their discipline if they are an accomplished show horse. Just make sure bridles are clean - including the bit! Also, reins should be removed unless you have a western shank bit, pelham, double reins, or just prefer the look of reins draped over your horse's neck.
Bridle
Tackless photos are without any halter or bridle in the final portrait. But that doesn't mean they are photographed without one! I have special "minimal halters" for horses of all colors used for safety purposes during the shoot and then edited out in the final images. Tackless portraits are elegant for those who just want the raw beauty of their horse to shine through.
Tackless
Classic Headshots
Artistic Angles
WHAT POSES ARE INCLUDED?
Every session includes a classic headshot from both sides, a three-quarter body shot, and a half body shot.
The rest of the images are comprised of your horse's natural good angles and my creativity.
Full body shots can be done if you have enough space in your barn aisle/indoor arena opening to stand your horse parallel to the opening without obstructing body parts.
If there is a particular pose you're hoping to capture in the shoot, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to send me examples of the types of poses you have your heart set on in advance, as some poses require some unique preparation.
Let's face it - slobber happens. Your horse may have dinner on his face, be salivating from rampant clover during the day, or foam up after a good treat. A rag will keep his mouth clean and your clothes slobber free!
CLEAN RAG
I use all natural light for Equine Art Sessions, but if Mother Nature threatens to rain on our parade, don't worry, there are always options. Weather can be very fickle, so we'll be in close contact 24 hours before your session to either work around the weather or reschedule if it's a torrential downpour.
RAIN PLAN
A pair of extra hands is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. While I try my best to bring an assistant, I can't always guarantee the help, but I can very easily direct your friends or family how to help me get the very best expression from your horse making for a much smoother session!
FRIENDS
If you're using a bridle with a simple snaffle, please remove your reins from the bridle in advance. We'll use a leadline connected to the bit for safety which will be removed in the editing process.
*DO NOT remove double reins or reins from shank/curb bits!
REIN REMOVAL
- Ride, lunge, or turn out your horse the day of to work off extra energy.
- Feed dinner early if his dinnertime is usually around the time our session is scheduled for.
DAY-OF TIMELINE
TIP
AVOID
- Clean all leather and hardware.
- Halters and bridles should be fitted and inspected beforehand. Ill-fitting or broken tack cannot be fixed in editing!
TACK
TIP
AVOID
- Bathe early and thoroughly.
- Braiding and clipping is entirely your call.
- Avoid face oils. It will mark your clothes!
GROOMING
TIP
AVOID
HOW DO I ORDER ART?
Every session includes the delivery of 8 final portraits as web size sharable digital images. If you'd like to include more images in your delivery, they can be added for $50 per additional image during your Image Selection Appointment.
Image Selection
We'll review your completed images during your final zoom meeting and make your final selections for artwork in your home. Using cell phone images of your home's walls, we'll create digital mockups together during the call so you feel confident in your art investment.
We'll meet over zoom to view unedited proofs from your session so you can select which 8 poses you love the most for final delivery. Love more than 8? You'll have an opportunity to purchase additional images you can't part with during our meeting.
Gallery Reveal
8 - 12 weeks after your Gallery Reveal, your artwork will arrive at your doorstep to be cherished as heirlooms forever. I can't wait to see how they look in your home!
Fine Art Delivery
The end result ...
THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT!
I hope this guide has calmed any nerves and answered all your questions, however, I'm always available to discuss anything you're still unclear on. Just shoot me an email at info@bethanypphotography.com