How To Prepare For Sale or Confirmation Type Photo Shoots

Confirmation photos typically take about 15 - 30 minutes per horse. Confirmation and riding photos typically take about 45 minutes - 1 hour per horse.

-Have your horse clean + ready 15 minutes prior to the start of photos (pro tip: have them fully prepped, tied in a stall with a bag of hay while waiting for their turn for photos)

-Black background images require a large open doorway facing south, north or east (or whichever direction the sun isn’t shining towards)

-If we’re photographing both riding + confirmation shots, we’ll plan to do the riding last in case they get sweaty.

-Have your horse in a good mind frame by exercising them within 2 hours of the shoot (the more tired the better)

-Have horses prepped the way they need to be presented (band, braid, put in fake tails, etc). These things cannot be photoshopped in later.

-Scars, scraps or injuries will not be edited out unless requested.

-Double check that all tack (bridles, bits, reins, saddle pads, cinches, saddles) fit properly + are photo shoot ready

-If wanted to add shine to their face, oped for baby oil vs a face grease (face grease reflects a ton in natural light and can cause too much shine in images)

-Don’t stress about how long the setup for an image may take. Sometimes we can get it in 30 seconds, sometimes it might take 10 minutes. I’m more than happy to be patient in order to get a worthy image. We may have to reset feet a million times, but it will be worth it in the long run for a better image!

-If your horse isn’t happy being take away from the barn alone, feel free to bring along a companion horse to keep them comfortable.

Have any questions before our shoot? Email me at rachelreillyphotography@gmail.com anytime!