Bea & Chief

Winter is usually a quiet time for us equine photographers. There's mud everywhere, it's cold and wet, and it's just simply not the best time of year to have a horse. But I love the magic of winter... It probably helps now I don't have a horse of my own, but I mean the cold frosty mornings, the beautiful sunrises, pastel pink skies and the quiet that's in the air before everyone goes about their day.

Winter is a window of opportunity to get creative for me. When client portrait sessions aren't so busy, and I've got time and space to dream up ideas and check things of the bucket list.

This location in the Peak District is one I've visited often, I've done dog portrait sessions here before, and taken photos of my own dogs at all times of the year here. The scenery is simply stunning. From the rocky edges to the rolling green hills, it's really a place like no other. Couple that with a beautiful winter sunrise, a gorgeous grey connemara stallion, and a very dedicated and willing past client, and you get these absolutely gorgeous results.

When I say that Lee took half Bea's wardrobe half way up the edge, I mean it literally. The effort these guys went to for me was exceptional. And Chief's temperament is just to die for. Halled out of bed in the early hours, boxed up to a new place and up a rocky icy path to get to the location, he has got to be everything you want in a stallion for breeding.

Of course I can't forget Bea braving the icy cold to wear a ball gown with the most epic views as a backdrop, and mum Rachel, for tittivating and making sure they both looked their best at all times.

I'm located about an hour from the centre of the Peak District... It's a place people travel from all over the world to visit. So I was baffled when I realised I'd never done an equine portrait session up there before. It's not actually something I've seen anyone do really.

These are locations we enjoy so much with our dogs, but rarely with horses. And there's a huge network of bridleways and great places to park.

I've now scouted a handful of amazing locations up in the Peak District to use with clients if that's something they're up for, something a little more adventurous with their horses. A lot of my clients come back numerous times, so being able to offer something totally different to previous shoot locations is a big plus for me.

This is just the start of 4 winter collections I've shot over the past month or so, I can't wait to share the rest with you.

If this location has inspired you to get some of your own images like this, please get in touch using the methods below. This location looks amazing all year round, including late summer when it turns bright purple with heather.