Frequently Asked Questions
Forget-Me-Not Sessions
What are "Forget-Me-Not" sessions?
Forget-Me-Not sessions are sometimes known as end-of-life or "farewell" sessions. These special sessions are available for horses who are over age 25 or who are facing a terminal illness or injury. I have also done similar sessions for other 4-legged family members, so feel free to contact me if you have another furry (or scaled, or feathered) family member who may be crossing the rainbow bridge soon. "Forget-Me-Not" sessions capture intimate moments, small details, and raw emotion, and create memories that can be cherished long after your friend has passed on.
What's the point of a "Forget-Me-Not" session?
Forget-me-not sessions allow a special opportunity for owners to have professional photos with their beloved equine partners are facing the end of their life. It's a chance to celebrate the time you've shared together and have photos capturing your connection that you can celebrate forever.
Why are "Forget-Me-Not" sessions priced differently?
As someone who has been involved with horses for 25 years, I understand how expensive they can be, and there are are many additional expenses that can arise as an equine nears the end of their life. "Forget-Me-Not" sessions are offered at a discounted hourly rate in order to ensure they are more accessible to folks who may soon be losing an equine friend. Unfortunately, I cannot further discount the cost of the photos purchased, or prints and products. Please visit the Investment page for details on pricing.
What if my horse doesn't look healthy anymore?
There are often ways we can be creative with angles and light to help your friend look their best for their session. Many clients find that even if their horse doesn't look the same as they did in their prime, they cherish the photos of their horse's later days too.
Still have questions? Feel free to send me a message
Portrait Sessions
What are Portrait sessions?
Portrait sessions are all about capturing your horse's glamour shots! Studio-style sessions, shot in the natural light of a barn doorway, against a black background show off your equine partner dressed to the nines, braided or show-ready, typically posed in their bridle, with different poses and angles to show off your horse's best features.
What kind of setup do I need for black background sessions?
The ideal setup is a clean-swept barn aisle, with concrete floors, free of clutter, and with multiple doorways to choose from. I've shot in smaller doorways, indoor arena doorways, and can sometimes even make a run-in shelter work in a pinch! The black background effect is easiest to create when we can get as close to the first setup as possible however. The image above was created in the open doorway of a smaller barn.
Should I braid and bathe my horse?
I highly recommend that portrait clients bathe their horse and turnout as if you were going to a competition in your chosen discipline. This might mean hunter braids, button braids, bands, etc. Please clean your bit and bridle, make sure all keepers are intact, and ensure the reins can be removed easily. Portrait sessions are meant to capture all the little details, so this is the time to make your horse sparkle! If you're not confident in your braiding/banding skills, I suggest hiring someone who can do it for you.
Does my horse need any special training?
No special training is required, but it is most helpful if your horse will stand quietly, is polite to reposition, and will place their hooves where they are asked (or square up). You can also practice having them bend their head and neck around without moving their feet.
Why are portrait sessions more expensive than lifestyle sessions?
There is a significantly greater amount of post-processing (editing) that goes into making every little detail of your horse's portraits look picture-perfect. The higher price reflects the additional amount of work that goes into creating these images.
Still have questions? Feel free to send me a message
Equestrian Lifestyle Sessions
What are Equestrian Lifestyle sessions?
Equestrian Lifestyle sessions are focused on capturing the unique connection between you and your equine partner. They can be glamorous or more natural - it's all about the images you've envisioned! These sessions are designed to capture all those little details about life with your beloved horse, from milestone moments, to a gallop on the beach, to quiet moments together in the pasture, there's truly something here for everybody
Do I have to set my horse loose for liberty photos?
If "liberty" photos are part of what you're looking for as part of your Equestrian Lifestyle session, fear not! Typically we shoot these images with the horse on a lunge-line, wearing a special rope halter that is designed to be easy to edit out in post-processing. Using this halter lets me give the illusion that your horse is at liberty, even if we're shooting outside of a fenced area. It is crucial that your horse lunge politely for you if we are to capture liberty-style photos.
Can I do an Equestrian Lifestyle session somewhere other than my barn?
If you're able to arrange transportation for your horse, we can do an Equestrian Lifestyle session anywhere that's horse-friendly! Sometimes I've shot them in neighboring fields (after the client has gotten permission to use the location, of course). I can even come along to capture your time galloping on the beach! For beach-specific FAQs, scroll to the bottom of this page.
What should I wear?
What clients wear varies widely from session to session! Some want photos in their competition attire; others prefer the look of long, flowing dresses. Some folks opt for neat jeans and a sweater! Clients have told me in the past that they've been glad they went out on a limb and tried something new by dressing up for their photos, but really it's all about whatever look you'd like to achieve in your images. I do typically suggest that people stick with neutral colors that compliment their tone and their horse's coat, and avoid patterns (including plaids).
I don't want to be in the photos. Can I still have an Equestrian Lifestyle shoot?
Of course! Equestrian Lifestyle sessions can be with or without the owner included in photos.
Should I braid and bathe my horse?
Whenever the seasons allow, I suggest bathing your horse for any photo session. Just make sure you do it the day before, or start early enough that your horse will be dry before the session begins. For Equestrian Lifestyle sessions, I leave it up to the client whether they would like to braid their horse or not. Most clients opt not to braid for Equestrian Lifestyle sessions alone, but do braid if they are combining their Lifestyle session with a Portrait session.
Does my horse need any special training?
No special training is required, but it is most helpful if your horse will stand quietly in unfamiliar locations, is polite to reposition, and will place their hooves where they are asked (or square up). You can also practice having them bend their head and neck around without moving their feet.
Still have questions? Feel free to send me a message
Beach Sessions
What is a beach session?
Beach sessions are a popular variation of the "Equestrian Lifestyle" session! Owners transport their horse to the beach for a photo session, sometimes choosing to be in the photos with their horse, sometimes choosing to have their horse photographed as if it is at-liberty, running free on the beach.
How are beach sessions priced?
Beach sessions fall under “equestrian lifestyle” sessions and are priced accordingly. All pricing information for sessions can be found here, but please feel free to ask if you have specific pricing questions!
Are beach sessions eligible for “forget-me-not” sessions?
Yes! Forget-me-not sessions can be any equestrian lifestyle session. These special sessions are offered at a discounted rate for senior horses (over age 25), and any horses facing a terminal illness, so that owners may have an opportunity to have professional photos with their beloved equine partners who may soon be facing the end of their life.
Will you transport my horse to the beach?
No, I do not offer transportation. You are responsible for trailering your horse to and from the beach.
How to beach sessions typically look?
That’s all up to you! Some people just want someone there to capture professional photos of them riding on our gorgeous New England beaches. Others want “Liberty” photos where it looks like their horse is running free on the beach. Some folks love to wear flowing dresses and have beautiful portraits taken with their horses! Others want photos of them galloping down the beach together. I’m here to capture any part of your experience!
Do you really set the horses free on the beach?
No, we don’t set the horses free on the beach. “Liberty” photos are created with the horse wearing a special rope halter designed to be easy to edit out in post-processing of the photos. Horses can be lead or lunged in this halter and the results are stunning!
What beaches do you photograph on?
I prefer to photograph at Ferry Beach (Saco, ME) but I am open to traveling to other horse-friendly beaches in New England as well!
Why are beach sessions only offered certain times of the year?
Most beaches in Maine/New England are only open to horses October through March, so we have a limited window in which to work to capture your photos before it’s too cold or the horses are too fluffy. If you have access to a private beach that allows year-round riding and want to do a summer beach session, let me know!
Does my horse need any special training for beach sessions?
While I have photographed several horses during their first beach adventure, it’s certainly not what I recommend. I usually suggest that owners/handlers are already familiar with their horse’s comfort level on the beach in different types of weather (windy days, calm days, higher or lower tides) before they schedule a beach session. While we try to strike a happy medium, beach sessions are scheduled for when the lighting is best, not necessarily for when the tide is at its lowest.
The ability to lunge respectfully is absolutely necessary for "liberty" shots where it looks like your horse is running free on the beach. If you wanted to practice other skills that would be helpful for any photoshoot, I always suggest working on ensuring your horse leads politely, will stand quietly in an unfamiliar location, and can bend their head and neck around without moving their feet. Bonus points if they will square their hooves or move their feet where you ask them to!
Do you ever work with groups?
I’m happy to work with groups of up to 4 horses and riders who would like to split their session. I suggest a minimum session length of 1.5hrs for groups. All group members must be ready to pay their deposits and return contracts promptly (see the next question for details). All groups will be final, no horse/rider substitutions can be accommodated after booking.
How do I book a beach session?
Fall beach sessions begin the week of October 1st and typically open for booking the first week in September. I will announce on social media 48hrs in advance when beach sessions will open for scheduling so like/follow to stay in the loop! Sessions will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis and a 50% deposit is required to book your session. Bookings will be accepted via inquiry through my website. Due to anticipated interest in these beach sessions, once contracts have been sent out, clients have 48hrs to return their signed contract and deposit or I will have to move on to the next client.
Still have questions? Feel free to send me a message