Let’s change how you think about horse show photography!
I write this blog not from the perspective of a photographer but from my perspective as a horse girl, a girl who has ridden in more horse shows herself and a competitive equestrian! I can vividly remember leaving a horse show, with not many pictures or videos to show for it, anxiously waiting for the show photographer to upload the pictures from the day and then being entirely disappointed when I finally saw them. Maybe there would be 1 or 2 decent pictures from my rides, but usually, those weren’t even great and the prices usually favoured buying pictures in bulk, so getting 1 or 2 photos wasn’t usually worth the investment. This is the reason that after 5+ years of consistent showing, I have purchased all but 3 show photos, and this is coming from someone who loves having tangible photos as memories more than anything.
As a photographer, I have now been on the other side of the equation, as the official photographer for a couple of shows and let me tell you, it is not easy. All this lead me to thinking that there has to be another way, a way that achieves happy clients and makes the job easier and more enjoyable for photographers. Out of this came my Private Client Photographic Experience.
Private Client show photography is something that has started to take off in the US and is becoming more and more popular at some of the larger venues like WEF and Desert Horse Park, but it has yet to take hold in Canada and I’d like to see that change!
so you might be wondering, what is private client photography?
Hiring a private photographer for your horse show experience means that you are essentially hiring your own paparazzi for the day(s) or week! You are hiring a photographer devoted solely to capturing your memories and moments at the show, not those of hundreds of riders. Every photographer does it a bit differently but my experience as your photographer means that every moment will be captured, from the minute you arrive at your horse’s stall to the moment that you pack up for the day and head home. Your moments inside and outside the ring are captured, everything from your great success in the ring, to high-fiving a teammate, to brushing your horse in their stall. I like to think of myself not only as your photographer for the day but as a part of your team. I will become just as invested in your success and rides as your family and friends and will happily take on the job of horse holder or running to get you food from the concession or even just being someone to help you memorize your course or dressage test. I not only want to capture every moment for you but I want to do my best to ensure that your day is stress-free and enjoyable!
I like to think of horse shows a bit like weddings. Now, this might sound a bit strange but hear me out. Just like a wedding, this horse show is only going to happen once, and the day is full of rushing around and can feel quite overwhelming at times. These events can also be of special importance, maybe it’s your first show with a new horse, or your first time moving up with your horse, or maybe it is the last show before you retire your horse. Although horse shows represent the culmination of training and a test of our athletic abilities, they can also mean a lot more and there can be a lot of emotion and significance involved. Would you trust a photographer you didn’t pick to photograph your wedding? Or would you want someone to photograph hundreds of other weddings on the same day as your wedding, just hoping they get the right shots but having no real say in the matter? Personally, I wouldn’t, and I don’t think you should have to settle with the photographer for your horse show either!
Now I am not saying that there shouldn’t be official photographers at horse shows, of course there should be! I have a huge amount of respect for official photographers, after having done it myself a couple of times. It is a whole other world of equine photography, and it is a difficult niche to exist in. There will always be a place for official photographers in my opinion because not everyone can afford to or wants to hire a private photographer. I do think, however, that the opportunity for competitors to hire a private photographer should always be available to them and that official photographers and private photographers can coexist at show venues and support one another!
thinking about hiring a private client photographer?
Obviously, I would love if after reading this blog you would want to hire me as your personal paparazzi for a 2021 horse show! I adore capturing the chaos, excitement and athleticism of horse shows and would love to add you to my list! I am already booking for the 2021 season, with availability at all around Alberta and potentially some travel to venues in British Columbia. If you want me to come to your show, just ask and I’ll try to make it happen!
You can find out more information about my services and get in touch with me to book.
If you don’t think that we would be a good fit, or maybe are looking for a slightly different image style from your photographer, The YEG Equestrian (Sarah Mavro) also offers private client photography.
