Using a horse in Senior Pictures

[Schatzi]

Hey Y'all!

Im going to be taking pictures on sunday of a senior that wants some pix with her horse.
Ive never done it before!

any tips??

Thank you!

[jdepould]

Try not to use flash and avoid sudden movements.

Horses are weird.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by jdepould

Horses are weird.

Quite.

Even flashes will disrupt the horse. If you can avoid using a reflector, that's good too. Big shiny things make them nervous as all hell.

[lputman]

Here's one from the very first time that I attempted to do any portraits, I rented an 85 f/1.2 lens. We were actually in the barn for this shot with the open door behind me...

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture: f/1.2
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 200

[Schatzi]

Originally Posted by lputman

Here's one from the very first time that I attempted to do any portraits, I rented an 85 f/1.2 lens. We were actually in the barn for this shot with the open door behind me...

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture: f/1.2
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 200

WOW! That is beautiful!
Thanks for the tips guys!

Any poses that might be good? Ive looked online, just to get some insiration, and didnt find as much as i'd like.
Im thinking to def. bring my small step latter so that i can get up higer, to be close to the same level as the hose. I think it might be better then all the shots being from 'under' the horse.

I love horses, so i feel pretty comfortable with being around it, just wanting to make sure i get some nice shots!

And thank you for the tips about the flash and reflector, thats a good idea.

[lferri]

Ask the senior what the personality of her horse is. I photograph equestrian events as well as people with their horses. I ask the owner if their horse will mind the flash. Most of the time the horse does not mind it at all. In fact, they put their ears forward and it looks very nice. I wouldn't use a flash if the person was jumping or barrel racing as a sudden flash of light might make the horse spook. But, for someone standing, holding their horse or even sitting on its back, a flash shouldn't be a problem. I use the Speedlight 580 EX II and I angle the flash at about 45 degrees. Good luck.

[Xposurepro]

Here's my tip .. don't trust the horse. So far this year I've only shot 4 seniors who had horses and 1 of them nearly stomped my foot and another one bit the crap out of me without warning .. it was was rubbing it's head on me after the shoot was finished and I was talking to the senior. I stopped petting him and I guess he wanted more attention so he bit me on the chest and then kept rubbing his head on me ... I was bruised for 2 weeks .. couple inches higher and it might have taken a nipple off.

[bariga]

I collect horse pictures for your site Horse Pictures / Digital Art Gallery. You can put your photos on the site.

[ilookalot]

Originally Posted by Xposurepro

Here's my tip .. don't trust the horse. So far this year I've only shot 4 seniors who had horses and 1 of them nearly stomped my foot and another one bit the crap out of me without warning .. it was was rubbing it's head on me after the shoot was finished and I was talking to the senior. I stopped petting him and I guess he wanted more attention so he bit me on the chest and then kept rubbing his head on me ... I was bruised for 2 weeks .. couple inches higher and it might have taken a nipple off.

i agree 100% a horse head butted me in the ... umm family jewels since then i wont go closer than 6 feet to them