Are you planning to include horses in your senior portraits and looking for the best ideas and tips? If yes, look no further.
We have gathered the best photoshoot ideas for senior pictures with horses from around the internet into one convenient place for your browsing pleasure.
We have also gathered some expert tips to help ensure you have a successful senior photo session with your equine companion. But before the tips, here are the ideas:
A. Creative and fun ideas for senior picture with horses
There are several photoshoot ideas for high school senior pictures with horses. However, here are the best horse senior picture poses you can try:
1. Hugging the horse
This is one of the simplest ideas you can try, particularly if you want the picture to showcase your profound love for horses.
If the horse is yours, consider having the picture taken in a location that holds meaning for you and your horse friend. It could be a barn, a regular grazing spot, or even where it was born.
If the equine is not yours, you can consider using any natural setting with lush greenery and soft, warm light for the photo shoot. Or you can consult your photographer for location ideas.
Once you have a suitable location, move closer to the horse and consider giving it a passionate hug or pat on the neck. The picture will definitely showcase your love for the horse.
2. Brushing the equine’s body
Brushing the equine’s body is another great and creative idea you can try if you want your high school senior portrait with the horse to showcase how much you care for it.
You can let your photographer take the portrait while you are still brushing it, or you could simply lie down on the horse’s back with a brush in your hand, as shown in the picture below.
3. Sit on the horse for your senior portrait
Sitting on a horse for your senior portrait can be a fantastic idea, especially if you want a more relaxed and cool picture.
When sitting on the horse, maintain good posture and exude confidence. This will make your senior photograph with the horse appear cute and powerful.
If you are not confident about sitting bareback, you can use a well-fitted and secure saddle. Make sure the saddle is comfortable and won’t cause any discomfort to the horse.
4. Looking at the horse
For cute senior pictures with horses, stand in front of the equine and look at its face to create a beautiful, emotional image.
Ensure you wear an outfit that complements the horse’s coat color. This will help create a harmonious and visually appealing photograph.
5. Action pose
If you are a good or skilled rider, consider showing your skills by performing stunts while riding the horse. You can show yourself jumping over a fence or pole, performing a dressage movement, or standing on your trusted steed.
6. Group riding
For group high school senior pictures with equines, consider riding in a line or formation if all of you are comfortable with riding horses. This will showcase your unity and interest as friends.
You can tell the photographer to capture a silhouette shot of you and your friends riding the horses. This will make your senior group shot with horses appear even more creative and dramatic.
B. Tips for senior picture with horses
Below are some expert tips to help you have the best grad photoshoot moment with a horse.
7. Bond with the horse before your senior photoshoot
As you may already know, research has proven that horses are intelligent and social animals capable of complex behaviors, such as learning from experience and communicating through body language.
Therefore, we recommend you spend some quality time with your horse before posing with it for your grad pictures. This will help make the horse feel comfortable during the shoot, resulting in good senior portraits.
The best way to bond with a horse for a senior portrait is to spend time together calmly and positively, building trust and familiarity.
Ensure you pay attention to the horse’s body language and responses. This will help you understand how the equine feels and whether or not she’s in a good mood for pictures.
8. Use only trained horses for your senior pictures
Some horses are trained for special purposes, like military parades and sports activities like racing. Such steeds may not make good senior pictures. So, consider using only horses trained for educational or photoshoot purposes for your grad pictures.
Equines trained for educational purposes are usually familiar with basic commands and cues, making it easier for you or the photographer to position them for different senior picture poses without unnecessary struggles.
9. Involve a horse handler
If you are not experienced or confident enough to handle the horse yourself, ensure you have a professional horse handler or trainer present during the photo shoot for your own safety.
10. Respect the horse
Respect the horse. Do not provoke or try to abuse it by doing silly stunts or poses. As mentioned earlier, they have feelings and instincts. So, be patient and treat them with kindness.
Similarly, ensure you watch out for signs of discomfort, pain, or stress in the horse during the photo shoot and take appropriate action if necessary.
11. Wear simple outfits for senior portraits with equines
Simplicity is key when it comes to choosing outfits for senior pictures with horses. For the best experience, consider wearing a comfortable, casual outfit that will allow you to move freely.
You can try a pair of denim jeans with a polo top or a rider’s jacket. Ultimately, we recommend wearing attire that will complement the horse’s coat color for senior photographs.