Horse & Rider Session // Dakota & Turf Bomb

This session was very last minute and happened early and sunrise because it was the only time I had available in my schedule. Normally I would never do a session so last minute but the circumstances left no other choice, Dakota’s horse Turf had been diagnosed with a rare cancer and we needed to book the photos before he started chemo.

Turf was the offspring of Dakota’s first horse, Waxey, who had unfortunately passed away before Dakota could capture photos with her. I knew this meant that these photos would only be more special, as not only a memory with Turf but also of her first horse.

It was obvious almost immediately that Dakota and Turf shared a truly special connection. I arrived at the frosted field to find her gently and carefully grooming him, love and care expressed in each brushstroke. As the session began, it only became more clear that they shared a calm and quiet connection and that Dakota held a strong love for him. She told me that once his chemo started that she wouldn’t be able to touch and pet him, or give him hugs. He was an incredibly affectionate and involved horse so I could only imagine this would be difficult.

“he loves attention, to be in your face, checking out what you have, playing with anything and everything, loves sleeping and eating, and a big softy.”

Turf has now completed his chemo and is doing well. I know this was a scary time for Dakota and her family, especially after losing her first mare not long ago and I have been so glad to see Turf doing well. Knowing the circumstances of Turf’s condition, I booked the session last minute because I know that if Dakota were to lose Turf, having these images to look back on would help ease the pain and hold onto his memory. I am so glad that the circumstances have changed and she can still hug Turf, instead of only having a photograph but it is still a reminder, don’t postpone getting photographs with the people and animals you love, you never want to leave it until it’s too late.