A Year Wrapped Up: My First Full-Time Year as an Equine Portrait Photographer
We are days out from Christmas now, and I wanted to share this year with all of you amazing people who follow me along on this crazy journey. My first full-time year as an equine portrait photographer — done, dusted, and tied up with a silk ribbon bow ( got to have standards of course!)
This year has been nothing short of a wonderful - with a whole load of chaos too. From sunrise sessions that felt like pure gold to moments of quiet connection between horses and their humans, 2025 gave me more memorable moments than I ever dreamed possible. And now, in the quieter weeks of Christmas and January, it's time to have a little recap.
January - April
These months were crucial to making this year a success. I was still working my way through 3 different freelance job on top of the photography ( told you I liked chaos!) however, these colder months were when all the important phone calls, emails, planning, and branding took place.
May - First Month Full Time!
Not sure where it went, how it started, or how it ended. It was a great start to the busy season, and full of 7 fabulous shoots with amazing clients, new and returning. We had some epic weather this summer, and May saw the start of this too.
June - Great start to another month full of exciting shoots. However appendicitis put a little halt to this.
Thank you to all of those who rescheduled with me in this time.
July - The month before trade stand madness.
7 shoots, lots of viewings, and many many many hours of planning for August.
August - Trade Stand Galore!
Black Isle Show, Moy Game Fair , and Scone Horse Trials owned this month. Of course we still fitted in 4 shoots but it very much a record breaking month in so many ways. Thank you to all of those that book in-person, it means the world.
September — A little pause.
A slower start to Sept after a spectating trip to Burghley Horse Trails, and a pause from shooting over Scone dates, meaning we could press reset, and head into Autumn ready to embrace my favourite season.
October - Similar to May
October passed in the blink of a eye, the weather held up for most of it, and Autumn colours stole the show making photoshoots extra special.
November - Changing things up
Welcoming back the dog photoshoots, and heading out on some pheasant shooting days too, as well and videography projects, we kept ourselves busy!
December - Christmas markets, and an early Christmas
I attended so many amazing market this year. Kinross, Arngask, Solsgirth, and Cairnie Fruit Farm. Not to forget our MASSIVE competition launched with Totleywells Equestrian, and HorsenRider BNB - something in the background for a few years now and it finally launched! I won my first ever awards in the competition world of photography, and I nipped off the scene a week early for a holiday to Budapest before a relaxed Christmas at home.
A little thank you
A little ( or big, or humongous) thank you to all my fantastic clients this year. You are the reason I do what I do. Another thank you to my right hand girl, Becca. Many of you will have met Becca at Scone Horse Trials on the stand, or on the odd shoot with me, her support keeps things going when I'm in desperate need of a little push. And thank you to my dogs and my horse, they don't know it, but they play a huge part.
Coming up in 2026?
Don't worry, I won't bore you this close to Christmas. But I can't wait to re-design many parts of my business in 2026, run an epic 12 days of valentine offers, and push so many new ideas out into the world!
P.S - Keep laughing with your ponies, these are the moments that stay with us
