Equestrian Commission Guide
Thank you for considering me to create a portrait of your horse.
Every equestrian commission is approached as a collaboration. My goal is not simply to document how your horse looks, but to create artwork that captures something of its character, presence, and the relationship that makes it meaningful to you.
This guide answers some of the practical questions that arise when preparing for a commission and will help us make the most of our time together.
Before We Begin
Every commission begins with a conversation.
I’ll want to learn about your horse—its personality, temperament, history, and your relationship with it. We’ll also discuss the kind of artwork you envision, where the photography will take place, and any particular ideas or considerations that may influence our approach.
If possible, I may ask you to send a few casual photographs or short videos of your horse and the property before the commission. These don’t need to be professional. They simply help me become familiar with the environment and begin thinking about possibilities before I arrive.
Location
Most equestrian commissions take place where the horse lives, trains, or is most comfortable.
Before the commission, we’ll identify several potential locations around the property. Depending on the creative direction, these might include a barn aisle, stable entrance, paddock, pasture, training arena, open landscape, or another area that has particular meaning.
Good photography is highly dependent on light, so the best location at noon may be very different from the best location late in the afternoon. I’ll make those decisions based on the property, weather, available light, and the artwork we’re creating.
Please let me know in advance about any access restrictions, safety considerations, or areas where photography is not permitted.
Timing & Light
The photography session will be scheduled around the conditions most appropriate for the commission.
For exterior work, this will often mean working during the early morning or later afternoon when the light is most flattering and expressive. Interior portraits may require a different schedule depending on the barn, available space, and lighting conditions.
I may recommend adjusting our planned start time as the commission approaches based on weather and seasonal light.
Whenever possible, I recommend keeping the remainder of the horse’s schedule relatively flexible on the day of the commission. Creating exceptional work sometimes requires patience.
Preparing Your Horse
Your horse should be groomed and presented as you would like it remembered in the finished artwork.
Please allow enough time before our scheduled session for grooming and preparation so that we can begin photography on time.
Pay particular attention to the mane, tail, face, eyes, muzzle, hooves, and any areas where dust or stable debris tend to collect.
If professional grooming is customary for your horse, you may wish to arrange it for the commission. Otherwise, thoughtful everyday preparation is perfectly appropriate.
The objective is not necessarily perfection. It is for your horse to look like itself at its very best.
Tack, Halters & Presentation
We’ll discuss tack and presentation before the commission.
Depending on the portrait, I may recommend a favorite halter, bridle, show tack, or a simpler presentation that keeps attention on the horse.
If you have several appropriate options, have them available. Small details can make a significant difference in the finished portrait.
Please make sure tack is clean, properly fitted, and in good condition.
I generally prefer to make these decisions based on the horse, location, and intended artwork rather than impose a single approach on every commission.
Does My Horse Need to Stand Still?
No.
Horses are horses.
I don't expect them to behave like trained photographic models, and I don't want the experience to become stressful for either the horse or the people involved.
We’ll work patiently, allowing time for the horse to become comfortable with me, the equipment, and the environment. Breaks are completely normal.
Some of the most compelling photographs happen between the moments we planned.
Safety and the well-being of the horse always come first.
Assistance During the Session
Please arrange for an experienced handler who knows the horse well to be available throughout the photography session.
Depending on the portrait, additional assistance may occasionally be helpful for positioning, movement, attention, grooming, or managing equipment.
I may also bring a photographic assistant or other production support when the requirements of the commission warrant it. Any additional production requirements will be discussed with you in advance.
Weather
Weather is part of working with animals and working on location.
Clouds, mist, wind, or dramatic skies can sometimes create extraordinary photographic opportunities. Heavy rain, dangerous conditions, extreme temperatures, or weather that compromises the safety or comfort of the horse may require us to adjust the schedule.
I’ll remain in communication with you as the commission approaches if weather appears likely to affect our plans.
The objective is always to create the strongest possible work—not simply to photograph because a particular date appears on the calendar.
The Commissioned Subject
Your photography session is dedicated to the horse or subject established for the commission.
This allows me to plan the photography specifically around that subject and devote the appropriate creative attention to the work we set out to make.
Occasionally, additional portrait opportunities arise. You may decide you would also like a portrait with your horse, another horse photographed, a family portrait created, or perhaps a portrait of a beloved companion animal.
I'm happy to accommodate additional commissions when scheduling, available light, and production requirements allow.
Any expansion of the original commission will always be discussed and approved before the additional photography begins.
Portraits With Your Horse
If your commission includes a portrait of you with your horse, we’ll discuss wardrobe and presentation beforehand.
Generally, I recommend clothing that feels authentic to you and appropriate to the environment rather than something selected specifically because you're being photographed.
Simple, well-fitting clothing tends to photograph beautifully. I generally prefer to avoid logos, busy patterns, or anything that unnecessarily competes with the subjects.
If you're uncertain, bring several options. We can make the final decision together.
What Happens After the Commission?
Following the photography session, I personally review and edit the work.
This process is intentionally selective. I am not trying to deliver every photograph created during the session. My role is to identify the images that most successfully express what we set out to create.
Once the final photographs have been prepared, we'll schedule a private artwork presentation to review the collection together.
From there, I'll help you select the photographs, sizes, materials, and framing most appropriate for your home, office, or collection.
Finished Artwork
Finished artwork is produced using museum-quality archival materials selected for exceptional image quality, longevity, and presentation.
Prints are available in a range of sizes and may be professionally framed to complement both the photograph and the environment in which it will live.
Every finished print is individually signed in verso and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the work and its provenance.
Finished artwork, framing, shipping, and installation when required are quoted separately from the Creative Fee.
Creative Fee & Travel
Equestrian Portrait Commissions begin with a $4,500 Creative Fee.
The Creative Fee includes the initial consultation, creative planning and pre-production, a dedicated photography session for the commissioned subject, professional image editing and preparation, private artwork presentation, and artwork consultation and ordering assistance.
Travel and lodging, when required, are quoted separately.
Any specialized crew, equipment, location requirements, or other production expenses will be discussed and approved in advance.
There are no unexpected production charges.
A Few Things to Remember
You don't need to prepare your horse to perform for the camera.
You don't need to know exactly where we should photograph.
And you don't need to arrive with a predetermined idea of what the finished portrait should look like.
That's part of what you're commissioning me to do.
Come prepared, give us time, and allow your horse to be itself.
Together, we'll create something worthy of the relationship you're asking me to photograph.
Before I Arrive
A simple checklist:
Your horse
Groomed and ready before our scheduled photography time
Preferred tack, halters, or bridles clean and available
Normal feeding, exercise, and medication routines maintained unless we've discussed otherwise
Your property
Potential locations accessible
Barn aisles and likely shooting areas reasonably clear
Vehicles, equipment, buckets, hoses, tools, and other temporary clutter removed from areas we may use
Any access or safety restrictions communicated in advance
Your people
Experienced handler available
Anyone included in the commissioned portrait ready at the agreed time
Alternate wardrobe options available when appropriate
And most importantly:
Don't worry about making everything perfect. My job is to find the photograph.
Have Questions?
Every commission is unique. If you have questions about your horse, location, scheduling, travel, or anything else related to your commission, please don't hesitate to get in touch.