Prepping for your photoshoot : Bridle or Halter?
The number 1 question I get asked before an Equine Portrait session is if you should have your horse ready in a bridle or a halter. So let’s break down your options and help you feel a bit more prepared to have your horse in front of the camera!
leather looks best!
While a nylon or rope halter is fine for horse and rider sessions, black background portraits are all about accentuating your horse’s natural beauty and to show off their wonderful personality. Leather keeps it simple and classy, highlighting their features but not distracting. Nylon and rope just do not create the same effect and the colours and patterns can be very distracting, so I will always strongly recommend away from these options!
have both ready on hand!
It’s easy to switch from a bridle to halter halfway through the session and this lets you have the best of both worlds and appreciate the different looks that a halter and bridle offer! As long as both are clean and properly fitting, they are both sure to accentuate your horse’s natural beauty!
consider what works best for your horse!
If you know that you will have more control over your horse in a bridle, or maybe they will be more relaxed in a halter, go with the option that will keep them the most comfortable and keep you the most in control. Photoshoots are tricky enough when horses are on their best behaviour, so we want to do everything we can to keep them calm, happy and collected!
make sure it’s clean and fits properly!
I always say that when you are getting ready for a photoshoot you should think of it like you are getting ready for a horse show. You want everything to be sparkling spotless and to fit perfectly. Dirty and ill-fitting tack is not something that can be fixed in photoshop, so you want to get it right the first time!
keep it simple!
When possible, use the simplest bit you have, a D-ring or snaffle and avoid any other pieces attached to your tack (bridle charms, name tags etc). Make sure that everything is tucked into the keepers and take the reins off your bridle before we start. Come to the session with a leadrope clipped onto one side of the bit.
what about western or double bridles?
For these bridles, disregard everything I said about keeping it simple. For any western or double bridles we want to leave the reins on. Shank bits or double bridles without reins stick out like a sore thumb. These are complex and usually blingy pieces of tack to begin with, so trying to make them simpler doesn’t really work and it is better to just lean into the look.
or, go for the natural look!
If you’ve got a well-behaved horse and want to have a completely natural look, throw a lead rope around their neck and we are good to go! Make sure you’ve practiced this before and know that your horse will behave under these circumstances. It creates a truly unique and beautiful look that shows off the horse completely.
