Horse Photographer,
Horsewoman & Dog Lover
I’m Nicole. I photograph horses, dogs, riders and the people who would rather spend their free time at the barn than almost anywhere else.
I’ve been a horse girl a lot longer than I’ve been a photographer.
I was 12 years old and living in Germany when a friend introduced me to horses. That was pretty much the end of that. I was hooked.
I started with dressage, which taught me to pay attention. Really pay attention. A horse’s expression can change in a second. So can their ears, their weight, their attitude and the entire feel of a photograph.
These days, my world looks a lot more like ranch riding, cutting and reining than white breeches and polished boots.
The discipline changed. The way I watch horses didn’t.
I notice the little things because I’ve spent most of my life learning to notice horses.
And that is probably one of the biggest things I bring with me when I photograph your horse. I’m not just looking for a horse standing in the right spot. I’m watching what your horse is doing, what they’re telling me and when that expression you know so well shows up.
And yes, I’m absolutely the person who will stop what I’m doing because someone’s horse has a really good expression.
I also have my own horses, which means I know that horses rarely care about the schedule you carefully planned for them.
JJ is my Quarter Horse and my heart horse. She changed the way I look at horses, riding and partnership. She also gave me Penny, her daughter, who is becoming the next generation of my ranch riding and cutting plans.
So when you tell me your horse has a very specific personality, I get it. When you tell me they are perfect until the camera comes out, I get that too.
I know horses. I know dogs. And I know what it feels like to be the one in front of the camera.
My Belgian Malinois, Zoe, is my constant shadow, occasional supervisor and full-time source of entertainment.
Zoe has opinions.
She is smart, intense, funny, slightly ridiculous and very convinced that whatever I am doing is something she needs to supervise.
Photographing dogs has taught me the same thing horses have: you have to pay attention to the animal that is actually in front of you.
Some dogs want to run. Some want to investigate everything. Some want to sit next to their person. Some need a little time before they decide I’m interesting.
I’m not interested in forcing every dog into the same photograph. I want to see your dog.
The same goes for your horse.
More than a camera.
You don’t need to know how to pose, where to stand or exactly what you want every photograph to look like. That part is my job.
I know animals.
I watch their ears, expression, body language and energy. If something isn’t working, I don’t keep forcing it. We change something and keep going.
I know what it feels like.
Being photographed can feel awkward. You don’t suddenly become a professional model because someone handed you a camera. I’ll give you direction so you always know what we’re doing.
I care about what you get.
I’m thinking about the finished photograph while I’m shooting. Composition, light, expression, details and how the image will look when it is actually printed and displayed.
Client first. Animal second. Photos third.
That order is intentional.
I want you to feel comfortable with me. I want to understand what you’re hoping for from your session. I want to know what matters to you about your horse or dog and what you want to walk away with.
Then we take care of the animal in front of us and let the photography happen from there.
When everybody is comfortable, I can concentrate on doing what I came there to do — making really good photographs.
A few things you should know about me.
I will probably make you laugh.
Being photographed can feel awkward. I’m not expecting you to know what to do with yourself every second. We’ll talk, laugh, move around and figure it out as we go.
I have an opinion.
If I think a different location, pose, outfit or setup will photograph better, I’ll tell you. You hired me for my eye and experience. I take that seriously.
I notice everything.
Ears. Hands. Feet. Tack. Clothing. Hair. Backgrounds. Light. The little things can completely change a photograph, and I’m watching for them while you’re busy with your animal.
I don’t need a perfect plan.
You can come with ideas, a Pinterest board, no ideas at all or something you’ve always wanted to try. We’ll build the session around you, your animal and the location.
I want you to enjoy being there.
We can ride, walk, talk, play, scratch ears, hang out or change direction completely when your horse or dog has other plans. The session should actually be enjoyable.
I think about the finished photograph.
I’m not only thinking about what looks good on the back of the camera. I’m thinking about the photograph as a finished piece — something you can print, frame and actually enjoy in your home.
I like photographs that make you stop.
Not because everything went perfectly.
I like the photograph where your horse has that exact expression you know so well. The one where your dog looks completely ridiculous because that is exactly how they look at home.
I like photographs of people that actually look like the person in them. Not somebody trying to figure out how a model is supposed to stand.
Those are the photographs I’m looking for.
And when we find one, I want you to have something to do with it. Put it on the wall. Frame it. Give it a proper place in your home.
I’m usually somewhere outside.
If I’m not at a barn or photographing a dog, I’m probably with my own horses, my dogs, my family or somewhere outside.
I like dirt roads, open spaces, camping, good coffee and having absolutely no reason to dress up.
And if you want to tell me your horse’s entire life story before we start photographing, I’m probably going to ask questions right along with you.
And yes — I will probably ask your dog’s name before I ask yours.
The things that probably won’t come up on our consultation call.
Because you’re going to spend some time with me, you might as well know a little more about the person behind the camera.
Tell me about your horse or dog.
Tell me who we’re photographing, where you’re located and what you have in mind. You don’t need to have every detail figured out before you reach out.
We’ll talk through what makes sense for you, your animal and the photographs you want.
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