I firmly believe that every beloved horse deserves to be memorialized in portraits at least once in their lifetime! No matter their age, accomplishments or pedigree, a horse you love should be documented just as lovingly.
If you love this image style, there are a number of milestones in your horse’s life worth celebrating:
When you’re redecorating your home
Now’s your chance to bring your horse inside your home in a more meaningful way than an 8×10 show snapshot.
As your horse grows
If you have a young, growing prospect you know you’ll have for years to come, I recommend booking portraits annually or at least every few years. Much like school pictures, we really only see the changes in our horses when we look back and compare!
Well-behaved foals (with their dams nearby) and weanlings are incredibly cute in front of the camera!
When goals are met
Including major ribbons and trophies in some or all of your fine art portraits is a fabulous way to celebrate your achievements!
When your horse is retiring or starting to show his age
You’ll love the way these portraits show off your senior horse’s “wisdom greys.” I always adore the curious spark that still appears when a senior horse hears the sound of a peppermint wrapper or grain bucket!
When your goals shift or you make a discipline change
This is a less common reason, but one I personally champion. Here’s why:
My heart horse, Herbie, and I spent several years DIY-ing our way through ranch horse events. All of his fine art portraits feature his wavy, ranchy mane and a body condition that thoroughly says “mom’s busy but rides when she can.”
In early 2022, however, we pivoted to learning AQHA all-around events (getting me ready for my future step-up partner) and that long, ranchy mane got chopped short. Herbie was in the best shape of his life and looked oh-so cute with his short mane and silver show tack! We worked so hard together and I had big dreams for us. I never got to document this part of our journey, though, because I lost my Herbie to an unexpected veterinary incident in December 2022.
I have thousands of professional images of my sweet boy from his ranchy era, but none that reflect how he looks to me in my last memories of him.
When it comes to scheduling your horse’s fine art portrait session, think about the milestones you want to preserve. Whether it’s a growth phase, a competition win, or the graceful aging of your senior horse, each moment is unique and worth documenting. Consider when your horse is hitting a special milestone—be it a change in discipline, a goal achieved, or simply a phase of growth. These portraits are more than memories; they’re an artful tribute to the bond you share.
Whenever you want!
Any time can be the right time for these special portraits! If your choices are either scheduling now or never getting around to it…choose now!
Have more questions about this session style? Read more in my FAQ blog series Part 1 and Part 2.
