My First Blog

Well, people tell me I should be writing a blog, so I have spent a few late nights contemplating what to write for my first blog, what could I have to say that would be interesting enough for people to want to read? It came to me this morning that perhaps there could be interest in a few of my secrets in capturing the best photo possible.

Over the years I have come to understand that "Beauty" is a subjective measurement, for most people anyway. So what looks beautiful to one person may not to another. This is so evident in the Arabian horse world where so much importance is placed on the beauty of the horse. 

However to me, all horses are beautiful, there is always something beautiful to find in every horse - I think it’s because they are a perfect combination of form and function. There really is no more expressive creature, they are a symbol of boundless physical strength and unrestrained freedom; they are perhaps one of the most graceful animals on the planet and their beauty goes far deeper than an exotic head and neck.

I can not stress how important patience is, to both your team and more importantly the horse/horses, along with short fast shoots, I nearly always get my best photos in the first few minutes, and to recognise the importance of when it is time to stop.    

Emotion, expression and movement are the three key factors, along with balance and harmony, and a handler with soft hands, as this gives the horses enough freedom to show expression. Over-controlling handling is a disaster and makes for static lifeless results. This is why I love working with my husband Paul, who tells me he is too old now.  

It really helps if you know your subject personally, I try to be a part of the preparation of the horses for the shoot, for example, doing the makeup myself, this allows me to feel and see the planes of their face up close, plus I have the chance to learn a bit about their personality by having my hands on. I hate razoring and shiny black makeup, I prefer matt, soft and a more natural look, I find that the shiny makeup around the eyes and face only makes their eyes look smaller and their muzzles bigger. As with most things in life, less is more.

I never go to a shoot to judge the horse in a negative way, I take my breeder's cap off. It is imperative that I love the horse or horses I am photographing as near as much as the owner does, and never look for faults because when you acknowledge them they will show up like a sore thumb in every photo you take.

I find emotion is probably the key factor in my photos, IF I DO NOT FEEL IT, I DO NOT TAKE IT!

I hope this has given you a small insight into my work