Shireen, Jazz, Pie & Arty

There’s something truly special about winter portrait sessions — and Shireen’s shoot with her two horses, Pie and Jazz, and her gorgeous dog Arty was no exception. We met in February, a time when the landscape still holds that wild, raw beauty, and the low winter light casts the most flattering, golden glow.

With the inevitable February mud in the fields (a rite of passage for every horse owner!), we embraced the rustic charm of the stables. These settings gave us a beautiful, authentic backdrop for some intimate moments between Shireen and her horses. The stables offered the perfect contrast between the rich textures of the wood and the soft light of a winter afternoon.

There’s something wonderfully natural and snuggly about leaving horses unclipped for winter shoots — it adds to the rugged, outdoorsy feel of the portraits and perfectly suits the season. Shireen’s choice of knitwear worked beautifully too; the pop of orange lent itself so well to this time of year, creating that cosy, snuggly aesthetic we all love.

After spending some time with the horses, we made our way down to the woodland at the bottom of the lane for some quieter moments with Shireen and Arty. The timing was perfect — just as the sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows and golden highlights through the trees. It’s one of the many perks of a winter shoot: the light is low and dreamy even mid-afternoon, meaning you don’t have to wait until late in the day to catch those gorgeous golden hour tones.

Arty was in her element, sniffing out woodland trails and trotting happily at Shireen’s side. The images we captured in the fading light were among my favourites from the whole session — full of love, and that beautiful late-winter stillness you can only find in the countryside. We have a silly tradition where we get a portrait of Arty running full pelt towards my camera at every shoot, so this was a fun one to end the shoot on.

Many people wait until spring or summer to book their equine and dog portrait sessions, but winter holds a quiet charm that’s often overlooked.

Here’s why this time of year might be perfect for you:

Gorgeous Light, Earlier in the Day: The soft, low-angle sun in winter creates flattering, golden tones without the harsh overhead light of summer — and golden hour arrives earlier, meaning your session doesn’t run late into the evening.

A Natural, Cosy Feel: Unclipped ponies, thick winter coats, and cable-knit jumpers all contribute to that warm, rugged aesthetic that’s so timeless in prints and wall art.

Atmospheric Backdrops: From frost-covered fields to misty woodlands, winter adds natural drama and mood to your portraits.

Less Busy Locations: Many popular outdoor spots are quieter at this time of year, meaning more freedom to create without interruption.

If you’re thinking about booking your own equine and dog portrait session, don’t overlook the magic of winter. Whether you're in Derbyshire, the Peak District, or anywhere across the UK — I’m always happy to travel to capture you and your animals in a way that feels authentic, relaxed, and full of heart.

Ready to plan your session? Let’s wrap up warm and make the most of this stunning season.