A horse and its rider enjoy an outdoor photoshoot session near rustic wooden fencing on a sunny day.
A beautiful black and white paint horse stands with a person on a sunny autumn day outdoors.
A series of photos showing a person with red hair interacting with a dark horse in a soft-focus outdoor setting.
A series of photos showing a person in a white polka dot shirt with a black horse in a golden autumn field.
A person in a flowing red gown poses with a majestic black horse in an autumn forest setting.
People walking with a black horse through autumn foliage in a scenic outdoor setting.
A person in a pink sweater and jeans stands with a black horse against a backdrop of golden autumn foliage.
A Paint horse stands on a tree-lined path covered in fallen autumn leaves during a fall photo session.

One of my favourite parts of what I do is travelling to my clients’ homes and spending time with them where life with their horses really happens. There’s something incredibly special about being welcomed into that quieter, more personal space – and even more so when there’s a top competition horse like Fred waiting in the stable.


Fred is a three-star event horse, used to the intensity, precision and pressure of competition. But this session wasn’t about that side of him. Instead, it was about capturing the other side of the partnership – the calm, familiar moments at home with Ellie, away from dressage boards and start boxes.


Those moments are often the ones we forget to document. The simple joy of being with your horse, pottering around the yard, soaking up their presence. It’s a little throwback to childhood really – when the biggest worry in the world was how you were going to spend time with your pony that day.


Ellie's highlight was definitely getting to sit on him bareback - this is why Fred is called the pet of the yard! He's such a good boy.

A brown horse and rider in a white sweater pose together against autumn foliage in soft natural lighting.
Three brown horses stand in a sunlit autumn meadow with someone in an emerald green dress beside them.
A beautiful bay horse wearing a black bridle stands next to someone in a white lace dress in an outdoor setting.

And then there was the light.


People often tell me they’re waiting for summer to book their portrait session, but honestly… winter light is something else entirely. We were gifted the most beautiful December morning at Ellie’s home in the Peak District. The sun was warm and hazy, wrapping everything in soft pastel tones that only winter mornings seem to offer. That gentle, diffused glow translated into the most stunning final images.

A series of seven photos showing a white horse and rider interacting at a wooden fence in an outdoor setting.

Winter portrait sessions have so many advantages, and this shoot was the perfect example:

  • Beautiful light throughout the day – no ridiculously early mornings or late evenings like in summer
  • Winter styling – knitted jumpers, fluffy gilets and long coats add such an elegant, considered feel
  • No flies – which makes a world of difference for both horses and humans
  • Clipped horses – looking incredibly smart, shiny and polished, just like Fred did

When you bring everything together – the right location, thoughtful styling and truly understanding how to use winter light – the results can be seriously special. This session with Ellie and Fred is a perfect reminder that you don’t need peak competition season or summer sunshine to create artwork that feels meaningful and beautiful.

Sometimes, the quiet moments at home are where the magic really lives.

Ready to go for it and get gorgeous images like this for yourself?

Call me on 0795810155, or use the button below to fill in the enquiry form and lets start planning your dream portrait session.

Two riders stand with their animals - a dog and a dark horse relaxing outdoors in a black and white photo.

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