There’s a special moment in every photographer’s journey—the moment you realize you’ve truly found your place in the photography world and know exactly where your business is heading. For me, that moment happened twice during a recent equestrian family session.
It was a gorgeous Saturday morning in late May, with perfect cloud cover and the sun just beginning to peek through. My first gorgeous model was Millie, a talented young rider whose grace made her a dream to photograph - it helped that I immediately fell in love with her pony Quaprice, who knew exactly what he was doing in front of the camera.
Outdoor Pony Photography in the Golden Morning Light
We began the session in a field on the family’s farm. Partially hidden by tall grass, we captured their favourite shot within the first five minutes. The warm morning sun highlighted Quaprice’s chestnut coat beautifully, and Millie’s gentle smile conveyed pure contentment. By carefully changing backdrops, poses, and lighting, we captured a diverse set of stunning images before moving back toward the family home. Including the home as a backdrop added a sense of sophistication and warmth to the session, perfectly complementing Millie’s elegance.
Capturing the Bond Between Children and Ponies
Once Millie and Quaprice were ready for a rest, it was time to photograph Annabel with her pony, Mac. Mac has been a cherished part of the family for years, giving every rider a confidence boost in the saddle. As with every session, I selected locations that brought out the individual personalities of each child and pony - which led us to start Annabelle’s session in the beautiful wall lined arena next to the stables. Relaxed seated poses allowed them to settle in, before moving to more dynamic settings.
My favourite image of their session came from across a nearby lake. With dad on hand to keep ears forward and prevent any early morning swimming, I was able to capture the incredible bond that Annabel shares with her pony. Every smile, glance, and gentle movement reflected a pure, joyful connection—exactly what I aim to capture in my children and pony photography sessions.
Why I Love Equestrian and Family Photography
Moments like these are why I love my work. Capturing children at their happiest with their ponies - free of distractions and external pressures - fills each session with love and gratitude. These are the moments that families cherish forever.
If you want to see how we tailored this equestrian photography session for the whole family, stay tuned for Part 2!
