One of my most frequently asked questions, and stubbornly said statements is... I don't have anywhere on my yard that would look good in a photoshoot. Well let me tell you ( in the nicest way possible) you're wrong! The point here is, you don't need a winding, blossom lined driveway, or a weathered stone archway, to have beautiful locations in the backdrop of your photos.
The reason people book a shoot, is to capture the friendship they have with their furry friend. Whether they have been in the family for years, a childhood pony, or a top level competition horse, everyone has a relationship with their horse that they would like to be shown through a different perspective, than you making the journey outside, in the freezing cold, to feed them before you have had breakfast yourself!
I have shot in locations that consist of two fields, a fence and a shelter. These images have captured exactly what the client wanted, and have been displayed in their homes to last a lifetime! Therefore, I would like to show you some images below to show you that we don't need anything glamorous to capture some memories that will tell a story for years to come.
Arriving at Location
First thing we do before you get changed in your first outfit, is a location scout! We take a walk around all areas we can access in the location and make a plan of where we will shoot! Above are some images taken at home, using the building we had on location to add character to the images. From the doorway of a steel container converted into stables ( left) to a breathtaking backdrop framed by rows of storage containers ( right), it was great fun finding these areas in this setting, (especially a textured brick wall which you can never not take a couple of shots with!)
Just got your turnout field?
Fields are a great starting point for you shoot, we can use the fence lines, trees, gates and landscape to really make the most of your location!
This ( believe it or not) was actually a flooded turnout field after storm Babet hit the UK last November. The beautiful autumn trees and reflection in the water take this to the next level, all because we were brave enough to shoot after the storm chaos!
A BTS shot, wooden gates are a FIRM favourite of mine to use.
This ended up going into B & W to bring out the horse's markings and dapples, but the original algae covered gate, really emphasised the realism and "at home feel" of this location.
I could go on forever with many more examples to show, but I hope you can possibly go away from reading this, and feel confident enough to get in touch about a shoot, whatever set you have as your yard/home.
A Final note to address the option of off location shoots ( forests, beaches etc) These are of course great fun to shoot in, and offer so many options, but I ask that these locations mean something to you if you choose to go off location, it really adds the cherry ontop to your photos when the location is special you to!
Interested about a shoot, wanting to find out my dates throughout the year, or just want to have a chat about what I do? Get in contact by emailing info@carenzapinnphotography.co.uk or give me a ring on 07482238707
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