Equine Photography Workshop 2.0

2019 EHP Workshop || From Concept to Completion

September 2019 saw the second EHP Equine Photography Workshop come to life. If you know me, you know that big ideas are business as usual for me. I am a big dreamer by nature and I truly believe that thinking small is for the birds. Is there something that is in your heart of hearts that you want to do? Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation? It’s not coming unless you write it yourself Friend.

Putting on a workshop is no small feat. For example, you have to organize the schedule of human models, horse models, hair, makeup and prep for all of the above mentioned models, location, wardrobe, transportation and more. Obviously, this is why workshops often come with a fee. Obviously, it takes WERK to make it all happen.

I am an oddball I guess with the way I come up with concepts. I think in color palettes. Always have. I will see a color, or a texture and if I am in the right frame of mind to receive that touch of inspiration, it will give me the whole concept like a bolt of lightning.

When you see the concepts for this year’s Equine Photography Workshop, they might seem simple. Undoubtedly, the concepts were all about tone on tone and texture. A great location added some major drama as well as continued the theme of tone and texture.

Concept #1: The Glamazon Non-Twins

This concept was based off the two sisters that modeled. They are often confused for twins and I wanted to play off of that. We chose “similar but different” outfits as well as horses. Their color palette was entirely neutral. Beige and grey, against their medium toned hair and tan skin. Additionally, they both rode grey horses. Their sequin dresses added the texture pop as well as a high fashion element. They even mirrored a few poses together as well as opposed each other in a few. Their outfits were simple dresses that I sourced from eBay months prior. Nailed it.

Concept #2: Vintage Modern Cowgirl

Model Regan herself is the inspiration for her concept. She is drop dead gorgeous and has curves that just don’t quit. Admittedly, this makes me sound weird. However, there is a saying that the least jealous woman on Earth is a female photographer. We don’t get jealous of beautiful women, we want them in front of our camera! Hence, I found Regan to have natural femininity that lent itself easily to a vintage vibe. Her wonderful personality and attitude make her modern. If you ever need a hype-woman, this is your gal. I pulled various pieces together for Regan’s look, from Herring Custom Hats designed by Gabrielle Kilpatrick Designs and The Brand Paige. She brought her own vintage Old Gringo boots to top it all off.

Concept #3: Western Boho

In this case, I wanted a “pop”. The pop happened to be the model’s awesome Appaloosa horse “Duke”. Teresa is a gifted rider and trainer and has a magical relationship with her horse Duke. He is a gorgeous and flashy Appaloosa that just so happened to match our neutral tone color palette. His dark spots offer the pop and perfectly match Teresa’s hair. Her makeup was meant to be smokey and bronzed and the artists at Tigerlily Salon in San Luis Obispo executed it perfectly. Another ebay find completed Teresa’s western boho look with a unique fringed cape. I love the natural movement that fringe has and it totally added to the boho feel.

I try to organize Equine Photography Workshops roughly once a year. If you’d like to join the next one, sign up for the newsletter here. Check out the 2018 EHP Workshop here. Annnd check out the 2019 Equine Photography Workshop images and video below!