7 Tips to Find a Great Equine Photographer

If you're planning a special photo shoot with your horse, then you'll want to find a great equine photographer. These tips can help you find the perfect photographer for your goals.

Know What You're Looking For

Give some thought to the overall look that you want the photos to have. Are you hoping to create a fantastical, magical scene? Or are you looking for some photos to help advertise your horse for sale? Some equine photographers specialize in different types of shoots, so understand just what you want a photographer to have in their portfolio.

Look for a Photographer Who Knows Horses

Photographing horses is incredibly difficult. While you may have plenty of professional photographers in your area, it's important to look for one who knows and understands horses. There are certain positions which are not flattering for horses, and a good equine photographer will know how to make your horse look his best.

Ask for Recommendations

Reach out to those people in your horse network and ask them for recommendations on equine photographers in your area. It's good to hear which photographers have done a great job, and which photographers people wouldn't recommend you go with. Be sure to keep a running list of recommendations, and then start researching each photographer.

Look at Each Photographer's Portfolio

Spend some time looking at each photographer's portfolio. A photographer should have a good portfolio of quality samples of their work. Look for photos which impress you, and see if you like the photographer's style. The more time that you spend looking at different portfolios, the better an idea you will have of what you like and what you don't like. Be sure to look at each photographer's photos which feature horses, too - are the horses portrayed attractively, and are these the types of photos you want to have taken of your horse?

Have a Conversation

The next step in your process is to contact each photographer that you're considering using. Find out where they're located, how soon they might be able to do the shoot, and how much experience they have in photographing horses. Talk about your plans and desires for the photo shoot, and get a sense of whether you and the photographer seem to connect about your plans.

Get Prices

Many photographers don't list their rates on their websites. After having an initial conversation with a photographer, you will need to ask for his or her rates. Most photographers have a shoot rate, a travel charge, and then separate rates for photo purchases. Remember, good photographers need to make a living off of their work, so be prepared to pay professional rates for quality photos.

Ask Questions

Don't forget to ask the photographer any questions that you may have. These can be questions about what you should wear, what time of day they recommend scheduling a shoot for, what their refund policy is, and more. A good photographer will be willing to answer your questions and make sure that you're comfortable and well-informed about their services.

With a bit of time and research, you can find a great photographer. Have a wonderful time during your photo shoot!