“There is nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse.”
-John Lubbock, “Recreation,” The Use of Life, 1894
Why Invest in Equestrian Portraits
There is nothing like the bond between you and your horse. It’s one of those bonds that only other equestrians can understand, and as equestrians, we know your horse is not just a pet. Together you two make a team, form a strong bond and build a unique relationship. Your horse is always there for you, even when other areas of your life seem to be falling apart. When you have a fight with family or friends, your remedy is to go to the barn and spend time with your horse! There isn’t much that a gentle nuzzle from a soft nose can’t fix. It is true, a bad day riding is better than a good day at work! Despite the more challenging days at the barn, you wouldn’t change being a horse owner for the world.
Having been a horse owner myself, and as the current owner of two bulldogs, I know first hand how attached we get to our animals. I also know that, as hard as it is to face, our time with our animals is limited. After they leave us you will always have the wonderful memories of the times you spent together and how they made you feel, but there is something about having photographs to go with those memories that is simply irreplaceable. You try to capture you and your horse with hundreds of selfies on your phone, but they somehow can’t do your relationship justice. A once in a lifetime relationship with your horse deserves to be captured in unique and exceptional photographs. Photographs that you will be proud to hang on the walls in your house that you will cherish forever.
Unfortunately, I never had professional portraits taken with my mare and it is one of my biggest regrets! I lost her very unexpectedly, a story for another day and time. I have professional photos from shows, the selfies from my phone (see below), and other snapshots taken by my family but they don’t really showcase the true relationship we had, and the selfies definitely aren’t quality enough to be hanging on my walls.
Instead of hiring a pro for my high school senior pictures, my step-dad and I headed out to a field with Bree and he snapped a few photos, in the typical non-professional-photographer-snap-shot fashion (on his latest and greatest 3 megapixel digital camera I might add), see examples below. I am not hating on my step dad’s lack of camera skills, he did his best! And although I do cherish those pictures now because they are all I have, I regret not investing the money in a professional photographer to create quality images that I would be proud to hang in my house and have to remember Bree by.
Looking back I would have scrounged up any money I could to pay for professional portraits with her so, at the very least, I could have one big canvas of a beautiful picture of her and me to hang in my house. I lost Bree very unexpectedly 5 years after those senior pictures were taken and never had the chance to have my bridal portraits taken with her, which I had dreamed about doing for years.
After all, we have photos around the house showing off our relationships with our husband, children, family and friends. Shouldn’t we do the same thing for our animals (who we might even love more than our family and friends?…jk!…but seriously).
It means so much to me to be able to create something for other equestrians that I don’t have for myself! Professional portraits are truly a priceless investment. Someday, no amount of money will be able to create photographs of our beloved animals after they are gone. What better ways to remember them by than having canvases of them hanging around your house (that make you smile and spark a joyful memory every time you walk by), having an album to show off to your family and friends and having heirlooms to pass down to your children and grandchildren?
An equine session does not have to come with a special event in life, like becoming a senior in high school or having bridal portraits taken before your wedding. The session itself is a special event to showcase your passion in life, your horse. If this sounds like something you want for yourself please take my advice, don’t make the same mistake I did and have regrets. Don’t wait, because you never know when that opportunity will no longer be available!
I’d love to create lasting memories for you with your horse!
More information on equestrian sessions can be found here.
For great tips and other horse related posts check out my horse lovers blog series!
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