A picture is worth 1,000 words.
You only get one chance to make a first impression.
Seeing is believing.
Whether you’re looking to promote your horse, sell it, or just plain show it off, the old saying “a picture is worth 1,000 words” couldn’t be more true. In today’s horse world, pictures are everywhere. Be it a candid from a mobile phone or a full-on photo session by a professional, horse pictures inundate our daily lives constantly as proud owners use them as an expression of pride in their four-legged friends. Now, more than ever, it is essential to have a good picture that showcases what your horse has to offer and doesn’t create any flaws where none exist.
Although the evolution of mobile phone cameras has made everyone a bit of a photog to a certain extent, we can’t stress enough that you definitely get what you pay for. There is simply no replacement for the years of skill and expertise that a professional equine photographer will bring to the table. And, although do-it-yourself quick pics have their place, for the best results and for just about anything advertising worthy, leave it to the professionals for the best results. Even the most prolific amateur social media photographers know this. But, if you’re looking for ways to improve the quality of your candids, give these tips a close inspection.
Meet the Experts
Larry Williams of Larry Williams Equine Photography
Larry (pictured right) started shooting horses in 1992 and learned techniques from Harold Campton with the conformation details gleaned from Don Shugart. Before that, Williams was a vet assistant and carded color breed judge, only retiring that card in 1992 to shoot full time. His background offers an understanding of the mechanics of the horse, a “form to function” foundation, and the knowledge of what an ideal subject should look like. This means he can make use of the geometry of angles in photography to minimize flaws and accentuate the positive conformational features of each horse.
Carl Sims of C Sims Photography
Carl (pictured left) is a hard-working photographer new to the equine scene. He’s also a DIY Amateur quickly taking on the halter world due to his enthusiasm for learning and tireless work ethic. Carl took time out of a busy spring shooting schedule to share some advice for capturing high-quality images of your horses on film.
Clark Rassi of Clark Rassi Quarter Horses, Inc.
Clark (pictured right) isn’t a professional photographer, but he is an all-time leading breeder of AQHA World Champion halter horses. He also happens to be well-known as a sharpshooter behind the lens who consistently captures images that show off a horse’s best assets.
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