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Professional equine photographer looking for models - best way to approach?

Off Course
#1

Hi guys - I’m new, so if this post is in the wrong area my apologies. Not only am I new to this forum, but I bought my first horse this past weekend and I’m currently on cloud 9 (cloud 10!), so I’m new to horse ownership as well! :smiley:

But my main question - I’m a professional photographer transitioning to solely equine (I mostly survived on family/newborn portraits in the past), and I’d like to do some model calls in my area to bulk up my portfolio a bit while also expanding my reach as far as clients go. I’m not really sure of the best way to find models - I was hoping you guys would have a little insight on how you’d like to be approached for something like this or a good way to get the word out in my area. Unfortunately the FB horse groups for my area don’t seem to be the best place for something like this - I’ve seen many photographers (some legit and quite good, others just starting out or not so good) post in these groups and it’s just crickets - I don’t think the people in the groups are looking for these kinds of things. I have a legitimate website, business, insurance, and a small client base, but I need to expand my client base and grow my business. And I think my work is good - like I’m not a hack that’s going to take unflattering photos of someone in horrible light. My current portfolio reflects that, I’d like to think.

So my question - how would you like to be approached for something like this? I don’t want to skeeve people out by randomly asking “Will you model for me?” And what would make you hire a potential photographer? I do horse and rider portraits and black background horse portraits - no shows. Meaning that I come to the client’s barn and take the photos there - it’s a pretty relaxed and fun kind of shoot. Advice appreciated, thanks in advance.

#2

  1. Do you board your horse? Maybe start by offering your services to your barn mates, or to other horse friends barns.

  2. You could pass out your cards at shows. For example after a nice class, approach and say, That was a really nice ride you had today, I’m a photographer and I wondered if you and your horse would be interested in modeling for my portfolio some time.

  3. I would make sure my vet and farrier know about my business and give them my cards.

  4. Is there a horse rescue in your area that you could offer to do portraits of their horses?

3 Likes
#3

I do board my horse - at a very small barn (not a show barn) and I’ve done sessions with most of the other boarders/leasers (some ad models, some paid). Unfortunately I don’t know many people at other local barns - I don’t show anymore, so I don’t get out much.

HOW DID THIS THING JUST ERASE THE REST OF MY RESPONSE?! Ugh - I’ll go back and redo lol

#4

Go find a local horse rescue or TB retraining place and ask to photo their adoptable horses for the ads. Organizations like Turning for Home, CANTER etc… probably would love to have an experienced horse photographer.

Stop in at a local show barn and talk to the trainer. I bet she has a few ammie adults or teenagers that would love nice non show photos of their horse. She may have a few sale horse that a nice conformation shot would be appreciated.

One of the teenage boarders at my barn did some really nice photo shoots with my trainer and another one of the teenaged boarders. They got to dress in non-riding clothes, have nice flowing hair (not hunter hair) and make-up and take some really nice shots of them holding their horse(s). She just did them in various places around the farm.

I wonder if you can somehow use Facebook to target the seniors that want pictures with their horses for their senior class pictures. Actually I guess you would need to target Juniors for their Senior yearbook photos. You are probably too late for the 2018 graduating class yearbook.

#5

I’m a bit confused - are you looking for models or clients? For models, offer a free session and maybe a free 8x10 print. I would still try FB groups, as well as at shows, tack shops, feed stores, local show organization websites. Maybe approach a few trainers and see if they would be interested in bartering modeling for some photos they could use in their own advertising.

Wherever you go, advertise the free session and print ($XXX value), and explain you are looking to expand your portfolio. Limited time offer! Give examples of some of your horse work, as well as other portraits. Mention insurance and website.

One well-known local horse photographer recently was looking for a specific type and color of horse to use for some advertising photos and she posted a notice on the local FB group. She offered a free session and a print, plus the option to purchase others. She had all sorts of people replying and posting photos of their horses - many not even close to meeting the requested type or color!

If you are looking for clients, I think some of the things you did for family photos will work - “great gift idea” graduation photos, etc. For horse specific photos, advertise all the places already mentioned. One idea I thought was neat - a local trainer with a big riding school did a barn photo shoot - they took a group shot with all the students in their show clothes (which trainer uses prominently on her website), then the individual clients had the option to purchase sessions and individual photos at a discount off the single session rate.

3 Likes
#6

Agreed I wondered the same thing - these are totally different things. Miss Ariel has good advice for both.

4 Likes
#7

Are you looking for human and horse models, or more horse models? Foaling season is coming, local breeders might be a great option–everyone loves foal photos, and if breeders are selling their babies, getting high quality photos is essential. You could offer a portfolio building package–like you come out and take photos, they get 1-2 free digital images, and an option to purchase others at a discounted rate. I know personally, this is something I would be happy to take advantage of!

1 Like
#8

When I was a kid we had a photographer come and take pics of us with out favorite lesson horse. The horses were all clean and gorgeous, parents purchased the pictures and packages they wanted. We got them in the mail a week later.

So try barns in the area with large lesson programs. Contact some horse show managers as well. I don’t know what breed you are trying to get into but Doug Shiflet gets contacted for more shows than he can do and might be able to steer you in the right place. He’s been in the business forever and the nicest person ever. Seriously, he’s a doll.
https://dougshiflet.com/default.asp

1 Like
#9

Awesome ideas, thank you guys so much. I’m looking for both models and clients - I’m only going to need a handful of models (people with their horses), but I’m willing to do intro/discount sessions like some of you mentioned for those interested in a full (paid) session. Ideally I’d get a few models in spring and bulk up the portfolio and then build a (paying) client base from there. Like I figure the more people that see my work, meet me, and hear about my services the better.

I’m planning on visiting some of the vets around here and offering a free session or two if they’re willing to display my work. I’ve seen a few vet offices that do that (mostly cats and dogs), so it’s worth a try.

Again thank you guys so much for taking the time to offer thoughtful suggestions - it’s much appreciated!!

#10

If you are looking for models, I agree with most earlier suggestions but: rather than offer a free print, offer them a free Digital photo - or two. Those can be posted on Facebook, other social media where others can see and be sure your name is OBVIOUS on the file. I personally would have no problem if someone asked me to model my horse - so find a show or two, wander around - stocked w/ peppermints or something - and say “Hey - you have a lovely horse (or adorable pony or whatever, such a nice ride, etc) and I’m looking for some help in building portfolio” I’d say yes in a heartbeat because flattery gets you everywhere!! Some people may want to do it at show, others may say, oh not today but if you came to my barn…

ALSO - make a flyer with a good pic that you’ve done, advertising your equine practice - put it up in tack shops, feed stores, any animal related place that has a bulletin board.

You have to get out more to get this going. Stop into other boarding barns. Go to area shows or horse events. Do you have a therapeutic riding center near you - they might love to have something done w/ their students and horses. Contact local horse clubs and see if there is something they need done. Schooling shows, clinics, demonstrations, etc.

There is someone in our area who will come to the barn for something like $250 for up to 4 hours. Doesn’t care if there are 2 customers or 3 or 4 or 5. AWESOME work.

2 Likes
#11

My standard model call contract is a free mini session (my regular sessions are over an hour long and include outfit changes and multiple horses if desired) for one rider and their horse and 3 free high-res digital files (as well as watermarked files for social media use). They have to agree to share their photos on social media and tag my business in it - nothing major, just basically on FB and Instagram. Everything is totally free for them, and they have the option to buy additional digitals at a reduced rate. So i think it’s a pretty good deal for both of us.

2Tempe the shoots would have to be scheduled for a future date at their barn - I can only do shoots in the evening (because of the light) and I want to make sure everyone is cleaned up and relaxed. Usually the girls want to wear a dress and have their hair all down and pretty - basically the opposite of typical daily barn clothes lol

Honestly guys thank you so much. This has really helped me see things from the perspective of a potential model or client. I HATE having my picture taken, so I sometimes have a hard time relating to anyone that WOULD want to be photographed. This has been helpful seeing it from the other point of view.

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#12

You could offer a session to show managers for a high point/high score/championship award. Give them your brochure and post your work in the office and on show info boards.

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#13

I have a friend who started a photography business (portraits). She offered a drawing for a free session to high school graduates. It got her name out there and doubled her business. Maybe you could offer the same at a local horse show or event?

#14

Are you wanting to all animals or just horses?.. rarely if ever am I at our equine vet’s office… unless its an emergency with a horse then I am not interested in what’s in the office… I cannot even tell if there are chairs there

if all animals, there are things like Dog Scouts of America where the dog owners are highly interested in their dog (and from what I have seen those owners have the cash to layout for photo spread of precious pooch)

but I believe taking photos of babies as you have been doing would be more consistent and profitable as even with today’s easy to use photographic equipment rarely if ever can parents get a photo of both of them and darreling bady child without having someone else take that photo.

(regarding horses… do you have drone? my son’s a professional photographer in the fashion industry, he brought one of his small drones they got to replace helicopter shots at $75k a wack … he did get some interesting shots of our horses from the drone (the thing cost about $1100)

#15

Curious why mornings are also not an option as light is, IMO, just as nice before the sun gets too high in the sky and, again, IMO, more likely that the subjects will be relaxed and clean before the stresses of the day take over :slight_smile:

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#16

Go to horse shows, take pix, and pass out cards. Make sure there is no rule that only another professional photographer is there to take pix exclusively. Right now Aiken and Wellington have a lot of showing and eventing happening.

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#17

“memory session” portraits for people with terminally ill or very old horses… usually the horse is dead by then

daughter who is a photographer had some clients she was taking photos of at the Ft Stockyards, other daughter was there with her Golden Retriever who is a trained service dog (for real) …dog is a trained “Reading Dog” was being used as prop (actually dog just loves to be Admired and will set watching)…a small crowd gathered, then others wanted their photo taken with the dog… I believe it was something like twenty tourists now have photos of them with their dog (who was actually daughter’s dog Sucha)

the $75k was the helicopter rental/use which he has replaced with the drone … he does some high dollar videos for Express Clothing, Cover Girl and others but now he can get most of the shots he used to get from a helicopter done with his larger drone which was about $4k… the small one he had here folds up into a cas no larger than a small laptop… range fully charged is about 5 miles

The small drone was pretty nice, he could select a distance he wanted it to stay away from the horses then have it follow them… the horses didn’t pay any attention to it at all … it also had auto return …it could find its way back to whatever GPS address you had selected

#18

FWIW, I am familiar with sunlight and photography and taking advantage of the softer light at either end of the day.

You had mentioned you could only do late day photos due to sunlight and I was curious why not early in the day as well which didn’t get answered? :slight_smile:

#19

OP there are several kinds of horse photos people want and need.

For sales you need a really nice stood-up side on conformation shot, horse standing even and alert. There are a few tricks to this, make sure you learn them.

For more casual photographs of horses at liberty it is about catching personality in quiet photos or foal photos, and action in movement photos. The last obviously is only really possible with a full pro camera. But the trick is the horse needs to be both expressive and attractive moving! A lot of shots will come out kind of goofy looking.

Show and jumping shots likewise. And with jumping, can you get the perfect shot in midair reliably? Show photos and liberty buck n run photos are probably most like sports photoy.

Most shows even schooling shows want an official photographer so if you can reliably get action photos there may be work there. You can go to shows and practice photography from the rail all you want. The official photographer might be allowed in the ring. Shows are great places to practice!

Then there a horse and rider portrait shots. I have to say, me personally, they don’t really appeal. I love a photo of me riding and looking really correct, but soft focus glamor would look silly on both of us.

Anyhow I think a good horse photographer would have an eye for movement and conformation and be able to take a higher percentage of photos where the horse is both looking his best and doing something interesting. I have pretty good luck with my horse photos but my ecamera is not SLR so I can’t get the incredibly high definition at fast motion and zoom that my friend with a pro camera gets. Her action shots are amazing sometimes.

#20

I think your social media requirements may be more significant than you realize. I can see where it may have worked well with newborn/family shoots, but honestly I know very few horse owners who are on Instagram. Facebook, sure. But not Instagram. So you may need to do some research into what social media your local community is actually using and potentially restructure your contract in response.

Also, maybe branch away from relying on social media. Offer group discounts if multiple people at a barn book a session or a free session after so many referrals, etc. These offers can certainly be shared on social media but would encourage people to reach out to their non-social-media friends, too.

And as others have said, expand the type and style of photographs you can offer. Only offering two styles of photographs (black background and those evening/glowy- photos) and only at the horse owner’s property will seriously limit your potential client base. Those are really niche styles that do not have universal appeal, so unless you are in an area with a huge horse population, I’m not sure you could find enough people wanting those types of photos to run a full-time business off it.

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