Horse Careers: Equine Photographer

Since I have four children, it can be a juggling act to find time frames that work with my schedule and my clients. One thing I have learned is to find balance with my family and work life to avoid burnout. Kirstie is a mom too, so she schedules time off each week. I like to take the winter off so I can enjoy my kids’ winter sports seasons.

For Shelley, the stress comes with Minnesota’s uncooperative weather.

“The horse, I can generally work with, but the rain and clouds make it hard to create the kind of dynamic photos that are the hallmark of my work,” she says.

Advice for Aspiring Equine Photographers

Here are some tips if you think you may be interested in a career as an equine photographer. Kirstie’s degree in finance has helped her with the business side of her job.

“I’m less of a photographer than I am a small business owner who has to manage marketing, accounting, contracts, payroll, outsourcing contractors, client communications, booking travel, et cetera,” she says.

Shelley points out that purchasing quality photography equipment is always money well spent.

“Don’t cheap out on camera gear,” she advises. “[And] find a mentor that can help you learn and grow.”

Though Shelley has to contend with Minnesota’s challenging winters, she has grown a huge equine stock photo library used by many major horse brands and businesses. Photo by Shelley Paulson

My advice: Always remember safety! This comes in several forms. Use a contract for your sessions that covers liability for yourself, your client, and the horses. Make sure you take an assistant with you to your sessions. They are invaluable! Finally, remember you are working with a large animal. Horses can be unpredictable and dangerous, and you should always keep this in mind when working around them.

Amanda loves photographing horses with their family members as part of yearly photos. Photo by Amanda Tonagel

Both Kirstie and Shelley are known in the industry for providing education to other photographers. Education is important at any stage of your career! Invest in learning from others when you are starting out, and then continue your education through workshops, mentorships or online courses. There is always room to grow and better yourself and your business!