Don’t Book That Horse Session Yet—Ask These 8 Things First!
Planning a Horse Photo Session? Read This First
Okay, Let’s Talk Horse Photos (Because Not All Photographers Are the Same
Horse Photo Session in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia
So you’re thinking about booking a horse photo session? Eeeek, so exciting! But also… kind of nerve-wracking, right? Like, how do you know who to hire? What if your horse decides today’s the day they hate cameras? What even comes with a session??
No worries, bestie. I’ve got you.
Before you throw down a deposit or get your boots polished, here are 8 questions you definitely want to ask your photographer.
Kind Words
We had the best time…We had the best time getting our engagement photos done with Nicole! She was so nice and helpful and really captured exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend!!
Nicole I.
1. What kind of horse photos session do you actually do?
Fine art? Fun and candid? Sales photos? Rodeos?
This is a great one to start with because not all horse photographers do the same thing. Some love big moody black background shots, others are all about those playful, natural moments between you and your horse. Some are all about capturing you mid-slide at a reining show. You want someone whose vibe matches yours. So scroll their IG. Look at their website. If you’re loving their work—ask if they’ve done sessions like the one you’re dreaming of!
2. Do you actually know horses? Like… really?
This isn’t just a “loves animals” kinda question.
You don’t want someone who’s scared of a tail swish, ya know? You want someone who gets that horses are horses—they move, they spook, they sniff your camera bag and try to eat your hat. Bonus if they’ve shown, ridden, or at least cleaned a stall or two. They’ll know when to click the shutter for that perfect ear flick or tail swish.
3. Do you help me plan everything?
Because I have no clue what to wear or when the light is best
A good horse photographer will walk you through all the prep—what to wear, when to shoot (helloooo golden hour), and how to get your horse looking sharp. Like, are they sending you a guide? Outfit inspo? Do they even care that your horse has a grass stain on his white sock? (They should.) You don’t have to figure it all out yourself—they should help make it easy.
4. What if my horse acts like a total goof?
…because we both know he will.
Let’s be honest, horses have a sixth sense for “we’re doing something special” and that’s their cue to act like wild mustangs. Ask your photographer how they handle that. Are they chill? Patient? Armed with tricks to get ears forward or work around fidgety legs? The last thing you want is someone who gets flustered when your horse does zoomies mid-session.
5. What’s included in my horse photo session—like actually?
Digitals? Prints? Something fancy for Grandma?
You need to know what you’re getting for your money. How many photos? Do you get to pick them? Are there any print options? Can you share them online? And how long do you get access to your gallery? Don’t be afraid to ask for allll the details—it’s YOUR session!
6. Do you travel to my barn or do I come to you?
And what’s the deal with travel fees?
Some photographers stay local, some will pack up and hit the road (especially for multiple sessions in one area). If you’re not sure, ask! If they’re doing a barn day or mini sessions, you might even split a travel fee with friends and save some $$.
7. When will I get my photos and what will they look like?
Are we talking bright and light, moody and bold, or something in between?
Editing style matters, friend! Make sure you love how they edit—whether that’s warm tones, creamy skin, dramatic black backgrounds, or soft natural light. And don’t forget to ask how long it takes to get your gallery. Waiting is the worst but at least you’ll know what to expect!
8. Can I see a full gallery—not just the Insta bangers?
I wanna see the whole thing. Not just 3 perfect photos.
Instagram is like a highlight reel, but you deserve to know what a whole session looks like. Ask to see a full gallery so you know the variety, the consistency, and how many photos you’ll really get. It’ll give you way more confidence when booking.
