welcome!

First and foremost, I'm honored that you have chosen to work with me. Capturing the special relationship between you and your horse is a privilege - thank you for inviting me to tell your story! This guide is intended to give you all the information you need to feel prepared and excited for your session, and I’m always available to answer any additional questions you may have.

a brief overview.

  • The day of your shoot I will arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time to scout around for the best spots to take photos. The shoot itself will last about an hour. 

  • Editing takes some time, but I promise it’s worth the wait! I try to send a preview image or two within one week of the session, and the final gallery can take up to 3 weeks before delivery.

  • When your photos are ready you will receive an email with a link to view your private gallery, where you can download images and order prints.

your checklist.

A few small tasks to complete before your session.

  1. Let me know what type of shots you are hoping to capture during your session (is there a specific theme you have in mind, any specific props or poses, any special occasion?)

  2. Enroll a friend (or 2) to help out during your session. Trust me, an extra set of hands makes a huge difference!

  3. Acquire any permissions and/or permits required for your photoshoot venue, and send me gate codes & any relevant information about how to access your location.

how to prepare your horse.

The better turned out your horse is, the better your photos will be! I advise getting your horse show-ring ready, whatever that means to you. At minimum horse should be brushed & free of dirt, completely dry, with nose/mouth/eyes wiped clean.

Painting hooves is also a great idea, as well as a tidy forelock and mane. Braiding is optional. Avoid going wild with products like Show Sheen - in the event we take mounted photos, Show Sheen can create a challenging slip-n-slide situation!

Let's talk about tack! If you aren’t sure what to use, here are my go-to recommendations:

  • Clean leather halter with a plain, neutral colored lead rope 

  • Clean leather bridle with a simple snaffle bit and classic braided reins

Prior to your session I highly recommend lunging your horse. Standing around and turning this way and that for an hour is a lot to ask of even the calmest, most bombproof horse in the barn. A few large lunge circles at a working trot and one at the canter each direction is usually perfect. It's also a good idea to give your horse a snack before the session, especially if we will be shooting during their usual mealtime.

I strongly encourage you to bring a friend (or two) with horse experience to your session. They can help with handling your horse, holding props, and getting your horse's ears forward so you can focus on posing - the best type of friend to bring is someone who can make you laugh!

Finally, if you plan to use any props during your session (Holiday garland, new tack, etc.) it is always a good idea to desensitize your horse in advance. The less time we spend introducing your horse to props during your session, the more time we have to take photos!

how to prepare yourself.

The most important factor in deciding what to wear for your session is safety. Wear clothes you feel comfortable in and that won't hinder your ability to handle your horse.

A note about safety - there is no photo in the world that is worth injuring yourself or your horse. Social media is filled with images of bare foot riders in voluminous dresses, galloping along the beach without a helmet. While these shots are undeniably glamorous, a photo that captures the special bond between you and your horse is so much better!

How a photo makes you feel is more important than how it makes you look.

Clothing

The second most important factor to consider is: comfort! Being in front of a camera can be challenging - so wear something that you feel confident in. If you would like to incorporate multiple outfits, go for it! Or, if you don’t know where to start, some tried and true formulas are:

  • Casual - Simple jeans and a sweater or blouse.

  • Fun - Midi & maxi dresses that are light and flowy create beautiful movement in photos.

  • Equestrian - Your show clothes are classy, timeless, and always a great idea!

To create a few different looks without a full costume change, bring layers and accessories - hats, jackets, etc. Jewelry is also a great way to add some sparkle to your photos.

To keep the focus on you and your horse, I recommend avoiding busy patterns and clothing with large logos. Black/white and neutral colors always look great, and pastels + jewel tones photograph beautifully as well. To avoid blending in with your horse's coat, I suggest wearing a contrasting color - for dark horses wear light colors, and for light horses wear dark, etc.

Shoes

I encourage closed toe shoes at all times, for everyone participating in the photoshoot - please no flip flops or sandals! If you simply must wear a heel, I suggest wedges or block heels as they make it easier to walk across uneven terrain.

Check out my guide to posing during your session for even more info.

Frequently

Asked

Questions

  • I love Photoshop and will always do my best to remove any blemishes, obvious scars, scratches, etc. from your horses body.

    Editing to clean up dirty horses/tack is available for an hourly fee. Grooming in Photoshop takes longer than grooming in person, so I always recommend grooming prior to your shoot.

  • This is a super common question! I actually never release unedited (RAW) images to clients.

    RAW photos are a bit dull, flat, and unsaturated - they’re essentially just huge files with a ton of data, and it’s the post processing that makes them pop.

    If you are unhappy for any reason with your photos, don’t be shy! Let me know what isn’t working and we’ll find a solution.

  • Your images will be delivered via a private gallery hosted by Shootproof, where you can download and order prints.

  • Nope! Your images are yours for personal use, and you can print them however you like.

    That being said - there is a huge difference between a professional giclée print and something from CVS. Whether you order through your online gallery or through your own printer, I hope you choose a format that will do justice to your beautiful images!

  • Absolutely! I love seeing clients share their images.

    Although credit is never required, it is always sincerely appreciated - if you would like to credit me you can tag Sara Ceraldi Photography on Facebook or @saraceraldi.equestrian on Instagram :)

  • Commercial releases are available for purchase on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in using your photos for commercial purposes, get in touch and we’ll work something out!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime if you still have any questions or concerns. I’m looking forward to meeting you and your horse!

Warmth,

Sara