Five Poses to Inspire Your Next Horse and Human Portrait Session

Posing can seem daunting, but it certainly doesn’t have to be hard, awkward, or uncomfortable! In this article I share 5 easy poses we may try during your next portrait session. And don’t worry, you do not need to remember any of these. I will guide you along, every step and hand placement of the way.

Before we jump into the poses themselves, a few quick notes about how I like to do things.

Safety always comes first! You know your horse better than you do. Please let me know anytime you get an inkling that something I’m asking might not work for the two of you. As a lifelong equestrian, I am also knowleadgable enough about equine body language to know when a specific pose may be risky to attempt in any given moment.

Clear guidance. I’m always happy to show you exactly what to do, and will do so with your permission. I also arrive prepared with an example photograph, in case that kind of a visual reference is helpful for you.

Consent. I will always ask first whether you’re comfortable with me touching or interacting with your horse, as well as whether you’re comfortable with me touching you, for example for the purpose of correcting hand positions or fixing a hair strand.

Now that those have been mentioned, let’s jump into the posing ideas!

The Walk

This pose is not only amazing to get the session started in a relaxed way, but it can also act as a great way to provide the more restless horses a break in between all the standing still. All you have to do is walk away from the camera, and then straight back towards me. Stay beside your horse, so you can interact – for example by giving scratches. Every now and then I might ask you to peek at the camera from over your shoulder when walking away from me!

Stronger Together

I love the more high fashion -type look of this pose! Especially with a unique outfit, it can lend itself to strong, powerful images. For this pose, your horse will be positioned so that they are standing as square as possible with their side facing towards me. You will then stand with your back against the belly of your horse, standing tall with relaxed shoulders (not leaning back on the horse). You can bring your leg over the other (this is a part I often demonstrate with my body), with the arm on the side of the leg hanging relaxed against your leg and the opposite hand in your pocket. If you don’t have a pocket, variations exist! Next we only need a Vogue-inspired look and attitude, a little attention from the horse, and we’re all set for a great image.

Lean On Me

This pose is a great way to make use of the environment, and is basically a carbon copy of the set-up for the previous pose with the exception of me being at another angle! In case your horse tends to get a little bit pushy or over-expressive with their front legs, we will want to find a solid fence and bring your horse to the side opposite from you. You will then lean your back against the fence and have your horse bring their head over the fence, on the side opposite from the camera. That way a similar pose can be recreated in a safe way, allowing for those close-contact, cuddly images also a horses that benefits from that physical boundary.

Looking Back

Ready for the tricky one, which also happens to create some of the most stunning pictures? This is one of the more complicated poses, and one I will gladly demonstrate in practice. With most horses, an assistant is required, along with a healthy amount of patience and a sense of humor.

To achieve this pose, you want to ask the horse to stand facing away from me. You will then give your horse a hug so that you are facing the tail of the horse (and me as the photographer). You’ll want to be positioned as close to the neck as possible, with your head gently leaning against their neck, and your visible hand placed softly towards the whithers of your horse. Now all you have to do is maintain this position, relax, and wait for our assistant to take care of the rest.

Our assistant will be standing just out of the frame, encouraging your horse to turn their head to the side so that it almost looks like they are giving you a hug. This might take a few tries, but be patient. You’ll get there and the image will be well worth the effort!

Sitting Down

This pose can make for some very special images! If the setting is right in terms of the energy levels and cooperation of the horse, you will want to sit down on a safe surface (i.e., tack box, bench, hay bale). Only if your horse is extremely calm and you are 100% confident in it being safe, should you sit on the ground at a distance where your horse’s nose can reach you. I always encourage a little “stretching the neck required” -space to make sure you are being safe. Once in a comfortable position, we can go for a variety of poses and interactions with your horse. Kisses on the nose, looking up with a big smile, looking into the distance while still physically connecting. I also love to make use of any long grass or other environmental features I can find to bring in some extra interest.

Ready to try these out for yourself? Click here to book your Horse and Human -photography session in the Greater Toronto Area.