Horse Photos: Make Them Great!

You’re thinking about selling your horse, and you need a photo that makes him look fabulous. After half an hour of snapping pictures, the horse is fidgeting, your helper is bored, and you still don’t have any usable images.

Taking a great picture of your horse is easier if you remember these tips:

• Choose a level spot with an uncluttered background and good contrast with the horse’s coat.
• Stand the horse up “square” or with legs slightly offset from each other.
• You can take good pictures on a sunny day, but outdoor photography on a bright but overcast day eliminates shadows. The sun should be behind the photographer, not behind the horse. Shooting early in the morning or late in the afternoon will usually give the best results.
• Stand opposite the horse’s shoulder or mid-barrel, not in front of or behind him. The camera should be 15 to 20 feet from the horse to avoid distortion.
• The horse should be nicely groomed and in a clean, well-fitting halter or bridle.
• Rattling stones in a can or squeezing out a small puff from a container of baby powder can get the horse’s attention and encourage him to put his ears forward. Coordinate this with one or two handlers, and keep safety in mind as some horses are easily startled.