Kirsty & Tommy

Some portrait sessions stay with you long after the final artwork has been delivered, and Kirsty’s session with her beautiful horse Tommy will most definitely be one of those.

Kirsty and her now-husband Alex had just been married, and from the very first consultation it felt as though our lives were running in gentle parallel. I was getting married just two weeks after Kirsty, which meant our calls were filled with wedding planning chatter, shared excitement, and those little stories that only make sense when you’re right in that season of life. It created such a lovely connection before we’d even picked up a camera.

Although Kirsty and Alex had an incredible wedding day, Tommy (and Spud!) weren’t able to be part of it. Having portraits with them afterwards became incredibly meaningful — a way to honour the full picture of Kirsty’s life, love, and the bonds closest to her heart.

Kirsty has had Tommy since he was a foal, they've been together for a long time, and capturing that connection was at the very heart of this session. And really… is there anything more timeless than a woman standing beside her horse in her wedding dress? For so many of us, that image lives somewhere in our imagination from childhood. That dream became the focus of our time together.

Tommy is kept on the most beautiful estate in Barnby, Nottingham, and mid-November gave us the most perfect backdrop. Deep evergreens, soft muted light, and just enough burnt orange leaves clinging to the trees to complement Tommy’s rich coat. Late autumn has such a quiet elegance to it, and it suited the mood of the session perfectly.

Alongside the more romantic bridal portraits, we also captured some relaxed, everyday moments — Kirsty simply being herself with Tommy. We included Kirsty’s mum for a few images, and of course Spud made his appearance too, bringing warmth, personality, and a lovely sense of family to the final collection.

One thing Kirsty shared with me that really stayed in my mind was that she didn’t have any photographs of herself and Tommy together — aside from the familiar sight of his ears when they’re out hacking. To be able to give her images where she can truly see their connection, their quiet understanding, and their affection for one another was incredibly special.

On a calm late autumn morning, we created portraits that celebrate not just a wedding, but a lifetime bond — love, loyalty, and the horses and dogs who stand beside us through it all. It was an absolute honour to be commissioned to capture such meaningful moments for Kirsty, and a session I’ll always remember very fondly.