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HORSE + RIDERstyle guide

welcome!I am so excited to have this opportunity tocapture the bond you share with your belovedhorse! In this guide, we will cover clothing tips, colorselection, and preparing you and your horsefor your session!

WHAT WEAR to

DressesModern EquestrianSTYLE IDEAS

CasualChic + Equestrian Inspired

Statement PiecesFringe + LeatherPashmina Vintage Blazer, EquestrianJewelryHats

Almost anything can go with a lightcolored horse. This look brings alittle more drama.Whereas the white dress with alight horse gives an airy feel.Complimentary colorsAdd in another layer + a pop of colorfor an additional look.Contrasted lookSofter lookSame Look, Different HorseSame Horse, Different LooksVARIATIONS + EFFECTS

Remember to staytrue to yourselfand bring your personal,unique style to your shoot!

TIPS

COLOR THEORYWhat is the Color Wheel? It is an illustrative tool used to help us definecolors and their relationships to one another. It'simplemented all around you ( blonde people willknow what a purple toning shampoo will do fortheir hair!) It's also a helpful visual aid to assistyou in selecting the best colors to wear next toyour horse!Colors that are directly across from one anotherare known as complimentary. This means thatthey photograph well and create a nice colorbalance or harmony. For example, if you have achestnut colored horse then consider shades ofblue/green/indigo. If you have a horse with awhite/gray/black coat, just about any color pairswell.You can also go for a more monochromatic oranalogous look by pairing colors that are similarto your horses coat as well.

MONOCHROMATIC COLORWearing similar color schemes can be tricky, but I love the effect! Some photographers will say not to match your horse, but I disagree. I love theoverall look! Take in mind the colors you may be selecting and the season of when yoursession is taking place (ahem color wheel!) While I love the colors here, theyworked well in late summer/early fall. If they were photographed in late fall,there may not be a lot of contrast between the subject and background while allthe leaves are turning similar colors.

POP OF COLORA pop of bright color can be great in the right circumstances. When selecting anoutfit, take into mind your horses coat color, the season and location. For example, these two images were done in fall + winter so they fit the scene and feelof the locations. However, wearing a summer-y color, like hot pink, outside in the fallwon't complement the scenery as the two examples above.

PATTERNSI love a good patterned top or dress! Try to avoid really obnoxious (READ: NEON)colors, but in general, I find you can't go wrong with patterns. Be careful with a reallytight pattern or stripe design - it can affect how the camera sensor reads it. Example of a "tight" stripe pattern. It produces a visual effect called, moiré.Sometimes it can be corrected, andsometimes it can't. I love this top fromHarcour USA - it just can be troublesome tophotograph depending on the angle/setup.Stripes and flea bitten "spotted"coat play off each other.I love this neutral, geometric pairedwith a paint!Solids + FloralsHead's up!

PREPHorse + Human

PREPPING YOUR HORSECheck all the little areas where dirt can gettrapped and hideIf you choose to clip your horse, be sure to do soabout 2-3 weeks before the session if you wanttheir true coat color to be presentPlease make sure your horse has plenty of timeto dry before the session. DetailsFinishing TouchesGrooming + BathingGreen spot remover and/or whitening shampoois highly recommended if needed. Be sure to give your horses mane + tail extra TLC Braiding will always elevate your images if youchoose to do so!Trim any muzzle hairs if you don't want them inyour photos. Tidy up around your horse's eyes + nose. It's agood idea to keep a cloth on hand for slobbertouch-ups! A dab of baby oil applied around the eyes andnose before the shoot is also a nice touch.Spray with show sheen and wipe down with aclean cloth.Clean, polished feet will complete the overalllook. Make sure they have a time to dry.

Grooming Tips for You!Make sure your nails are free of dirt or chipped polish!Either have them freshly painted or no polish. If you want to spray tan - make sure to do a trial runbefore hand. It's a good idea to not do it the day beforethe session. If having your hair and/or makeup done, it's a goodidea to do a trial run, unless you've worked with yourstylist before and familiar with them and their work. Hydrate! Don't overdo it on the alcohol the night beforebecause it will show up in your images!Don't go all day without eating! Make sure you also have alight snack before your session. Depending on yoursession length, we may have breaks involved. But it'salways a good idea to have snacks/drinks ready incasehanger shows up! Arms are free of hair ties, concert wristbands, smartwatches or fitness trackers.Wear nude/neutral undergarments.Think of what types of images you want paired with theclothes you are wearing - if you want mounted images, afitted dress or mini skirt won't be a good idea.If you choose to do bareback photos, make sure you andyour horse are very comfortable before your session.Be sure that any riding gear you wear is cleaned/polished.Feel free to bring multiple outfits if you are having troubledeciding! We can work together to select items. Helpful AdviceIf you have any questions, reach out to me!I'm here to help guide you!

TACK OPTIONSYou have the option of having your horse wear a bridle,a halter or they can be "bare". BRIDLE HALTER BAREIf you opt for the bare look, I use a long, thin rope halter that I will edit outin post processing. However, it also means you wont be able to hold on tothe rope while being photographed (to assist with the illusion.) It may bebest to shoot in a closed paddock/outdoor arena if this option is selected.Please make sure that any tack being used for the session is fitted, gunk-free, cleaned and conditioned before your session. Tip: Brand new leathertack may not be broken in enough and may not fit your horse properly.

AFTER YOUR SESSIONApproximately 3-4 weeks following your session, your digital imageswill be delivered via email in a private online gallery. Your gallery willhave a print shop attached to help you visualize your images in the finalproducts of your choosing. I offer a small variety of premier, heirloomprint products from my private lab for the ultimate finishing touchfrom your session. I can also custom order anything that may not appearin the print shop or if you have a specific item in mind.your private image gallerygallery print shop inside your gallery

HANDHELD ARTthe walnut folio boxthe signature albumA beautiful and modern way to showcase all of your fine art prints. The perfect piece to complement yourcoffee table and you can rotate your images for a new look! Comes with an add-on custom wooden USB thatnestles beautifully in a cut out in the bottom of the box.The traditional heirloom. Available in a variety of leather, linen and velvet options with nice thick pages.

WALL ARTstatement wall artWall art pieces are available in a curated variety of mediums: acrylic, metal, canvas and custom framed archivalprints. I can assist you in selecting the best size and finish for your space!

I will bring a few samples to your session so you can seeand touch them in person!

FAQ's

What if the weather is bad?Depending on the forecast, I will be in touch with you if there looksto be severe or questionable weather (heavy rain, extreme temps,storms) Keep in mind that overcast days provide a soft, even light.What if my horse is naughty?I always recommend your horse be worked or longed the day ofyour shoot. A tired horse is a (more) cooperative horse! If yoursession falls around feeding time, I would suggest feeding thema light snack. I would also suggest having a friend, trainer orfamily member join the shoot to help out.Does my horse have to be clean?YES! Believe it or not, I have been asked this question before. Remember your sessionis an investment and you want your horse looking their finest! I recommend yourhorse be show-prepped clean. Bathed, dry, show sheen and hoof polish. No greenstains, mud crusts or spots. Braids will always elevate the look. If you want to clip yourhorse, I would suggest clipping at least 2-3 weeks before your session if you want theirtrue coat color to be visible. What if my barn is ugly?Can you photoshop this?Chances are, your barn and surrounding areas are probably not as bad as you think! I usespecific lenses that compress and soften distracting backgrounds. I'm typically moreconcerned with finding the best light on the property. I do include light retouching in my regular editing work. Light retouching wouldinclude: blemishes, small marks or scars, small hair patches, etc. If an imagerequires further reconstructive work (ex: thinning, smoothing, mouth or earreplacements) then they will incur an additional fee depending on the nature ofthe request. Please let me know if you would like me to leave in or take out particular scars ormarks on your horse. Some people like them omitted, some people leave thembecause it's part of who their horse is.

see you soon!other questions? 312.618.6797leah@leahlewis.com