While on vacation in the beautiful state of Georgia, Marianne discovered Southern Cross Ranch in Madison. As she scrolled through the information on this beautiful guest ranch she came across information on an experience of photography and horses. Immediately, her daughter Lulu, an avid equestrian back home came to mind. When scheduling portraits for her daughter, Marianne wanted to have Lulu’s love for all things horses preserved and displayed on their wall.
When planning the vision for Lulu’s portraits we had one word in mind – fairytale. As soon as they mentioned a whimsical theme, I knew Hildie was the exact horse for the job. Hildie is a Haflinger with a calm nature and gorgeous mane residing at Southern Cross Ranch. I pulled a few options from my client closet and we ultimately chose a tulle white tiered dress and floral crown suited for this 8 year old princess! We also added a beautiful floral wreath around Hildie’s neck to match Lulu’s crown!
We spent our time in an open field of tall grass and forest background that could be found illustrated in any fairytale storybook. Marianne fondly remembers the patience in getting the perfect pose and of course giving a horse crazed girl all the time she needed to love up on her dappled Haflinger. The lighting provided the final piece to the puzzle bringing this whimsical vision to life allowing Lulu to enjoy every aspect of being in the moment.
It was no surprise when I found out this tiny 8 year old with a huge passion for horses was also an active equestrian back home. Lulu enjoys spending her time competing with Shooting Stars, an Equestrian Vaulting team in New Jersey. With her outgoing and energetic personality, Marianne describes her daughter as having a passion for life and I agree.
Today, Marianne enjoys remembering her adventure to Madison, Georgia by displaying a large wrapped custom canvas of Lulu and Hildie as well as a few smaller framed portraits throughout her modern farmhouse inspired home. If you are making the trip out to Southern Cross Ranch and want to have once in a lifetime portraits created with one of their incredible ranch horses, visit HERE.
While planning their vacation from Rhode Island to Madison, Georgia’s Southern Cross Ranch, Ida and Matt, recently engaged, knew they wanted to have portraits created with horses. Ida had been an avid equestrian for quite some time and Matt was beginning to take part in her passion. It had only made sense to have engagement portraits created while enjoying their trip to the south.
Ida wanted her engagement portraits to be more interesting than simply standing in a location. She wanted it to be an experience to remember especially because she hadn’t had professional portraits created in the past. Our goal was to capture the true emotion behind their relationship without feeling stiff or posed and Ida very fondly recalls how the experience stayed relaxed and comfortable.
While planning the color scheme and wardrobe for the happy couple, we wanted them to stand out against the beautiful Georgia backdrop as well as their loving ranch horse provided by Southern Cross Ranch. Ida modeled a subtle green dress with a high low skirt and ruffles followed by a blue keyhole backed dress for the perfect mixture of texture finished with a simple handkerchief braided into her hair. Matt complimented her wardrobe with a simple button up dress shirt, a green jacket for layers and jeans. Ida recalls the original outfits she and Matt planned to wear and believes their portraits would not have turned out as well on the wall had they gone with their first idea.
While getting to know Ida and Matt, they shared the beautiful story of how they had met. While both were active in a Rhode Island swim group in the ocean, they had not crossed paths until they matched on the dating site, Hinge. While enjoying their first date at Aleppo Sweets, a Syrian Bakery and Café, they found they had many interests and circles in common and the rest is history. Now happily married, Ida and Matt enjoy sharing an active life filled with hiking, swimming and now horseback riding as Matt has started taking lessons. This beautiful bond they share came out throughout their portraits the entire time, while Ida is often camera shy, Matt made the environment seem as if it were just the two of them enjoying a walk through the meadow.
Matt and Ida enjoy reminiscing on their trip to Southern Cross Ranch by displaying their collection of three metal wall pieces in their home as well as a few tabletop prints which they displayed at their wedding guest table. We made the process of selecting wall art simple and true to their personal style and taste to ensure everything tied in perfectly within their home. When Ida thinks back to her engagement portraits on the ranch, she remembers how much they had loved walking the property and enjoying time with one another and of course, a perfect ranch horse.
“I loved how personable Charlotte is, she doesn’t make it seem like a business, she makes it feel personal and friendly. The portraits feel like an entire experience and I loved that she called us a couple times before to touch base on the shoot and create wardrobe, it was very organized. Charlotte takes great care of the horses she is photographing, she spent a good part of the day prepping the horse for portraits and you can tell she has a really good heart for the horses.”
-Ida & Matt
Are you recently engaged and looking to have one of a kind portraits created with your fiancé? Head HERE to schedule a consultation and begin the unforgettable portraits experience of a lifetime!
Have you put off having professional portraits created with your horse out of fear that they won’t cooperate or stand still for a nice photo? Much like the dogs I have worked with in the past, not every horse I photograph is as patient as the last, and that’s okay! Part of who I am and what I create as an equine photographer is one-of-a-kind artwork tailored to exactly who you and your horse are. It wouldn’t make much sense to have a piece of wall art or an album full of your normally forward-moving, sassy mare standing in a halter class pose the entire time.
When we begin planning your upcoming portraits and the artwork you are hoping to remember your horse with, we will chat about their unique personality to help me better plan how I will shoot your portraits. I love getting to know your horses and more importantly making sure they are comfortable and properly documented in their truest form. While we may make adjustments on the day of your portraits, there are also a few tips and tricks I have on preparing an antsy horse for professional photos.
Lunging
If you have portraits scheduled for that stunning evening golden hour and you have a horse that might be a little too high energy for you, taking time to lightly work them on a lunge line that morning/afternoon will help give them something to do. Lunging too close to your session runs the risk of a sweaty horse and you want to give them enough time to cool down after that working rush.
Low-Stress Day
If you have a sensitive horse, keeping their day low stress for their upcoming professional photos is never a bad idea. This means try not to schedule vet or farrier visits the day of and keep their routine close to normal if possible.
Feeding
I get it, when it is time to eat and it hasn’t happened, you get a little hangry. Our horses are creatures of habit, make sure when you are scheduling portraits with your horse that if it lands on or during feeding time that you give your horse enough time to eat their dinner. Make sure you give them enough time to eat and drink followed by your grooming touch ups before we get started. If you have a drooler while eating, give them a little more time and have a rag on hand for your portraits.
Know Your Horse
You know your horse better than anyone and while we may plan your portraits based on what you told me about your horse, we may miss something big to them. For example, if you have a horse who gets antsy or uncomfortable when his barn pal isn’t in sight, having a friend bring his pal out for encouragement will help. We do this to keep you, your horse, and everyone around us safe and happy throughout the entire experience.
If you know your horse has certain locations, sounds, or sights that set them off please make sure you disclose that to me as soon as possible so that I make sure I don’t put your horse in a situation they don’t like. Read more on the importance of communicating with your photographer HERE!
Practice, Practice, Practice
My final piece of advice when having professional photos created with a sometimes antsy horse is practice! Practicing basic ground manners like standing in place with their head up, respecting your boundaries, and posing with multiple people or animals. For a deeper dive and information on how I suggest you prepare your horse for their upcoming portraits click HERE.
Whether your horse is comfortable standing for portraits all evening or needs a little prep work and patience, I know we will create portraits custom catered to you and your horse. If you have a horse you have been dying to have portraits with, you can schedule your discovery call HERE and begin your unique portrait experience today!
As we stood outside with the subtle autumn colors shifting in the background, I knew that I was documenting something truly special. Sometimes life has a funny way of leading you to the exact place you are supposed to be. For Susan, she had a few detours before finally matching with her Rocky Mountain Gaited Horse, Skippy.
In 2021, I donated a horse and rider portrait experience to a silent auction that immediately caught Susan’s attention. At the time, she had her Hanovarian mare in mind for these portraits, unfortunately, she found out that her mare was suffering from kissing spines and had to be euthanized. After grieving the loss of her mare, Susan began her search for her next equine partner. She finally bought a horse in Houston with hopes of dressage but after a serious accident with that horse, she suffered from many broken bones as well as a brain bleed. Ultimately, she decided to return the horse and Susan swore off riding for quite some time.
That is, until a Rocky Mountain Gaited Horse in Ewing, Kentucky appeared out of the blue at Acadiana Stables. He was 5 years old when she bought him from Larry and Naomi LeBlanc who had bred him in Kentucky. Within 2 minutes of a 2-hour trail ride, Susan knew this was the horse she had been waiting for.
It wasn’t until they had arrived home to Inyazura Farms of Athens GA, trailer in tow, that Susan came up with the perfect barn name for her newest addition. After cantering through the pasture one afternoon she pulled back on the reins saying ‘whoa Skippy’ and the rest is history. Today, Skippy can be found indulging in the finer things in life, German Horse Muffins are always a fan favorite for this bougie boy!
While Susan can find herself being camera shy, Skippy loves anything that has to do with a camera. A mixture of my squeaky dog toy and my curious accent made getting ears forward incredibly easy and quite hilarious. We navigated Susan’s shyness in front of the camera with flattering and natural poses to feature the best assets of Skippy and Susan.
While I normally create a wardrobe experience for my clients, after a little encouragement to think outside of the box, Susan chose a black cocktail dress, heels, and pearls to pair with her husband’s formal attire and of course Skippy! After seeing her “Jackie Kennedy-esque” look in her final portraits, Susan shared that she was so happy to have received some guidance on choosing a more special outfit for the occasion. We also featured a textured top with jeans for a perfect mixture of looks within Susan and Skippy’s collection of portraits.
After we were done with outdoor portraits, we headed inside the barn for some Black Background Portraits to round off Susan’s album. Susan proudly displays her wall art from her portraits in her modern turquoise-inspired living room and to this day has friends and family comment on how much they adored her Christmas Cards featuring her favorite portraits!
Custom Heirloom Album
You can now find Susan and Skippy Fox Hunting with Shakerag Hounds, Georgia’s oldest recognized Foxhunt. They had started the season out in fourth field and proudly had finished in second field. After a 12-year break from horses and an active life breeding, training, and showing. Susan says she would go through everything all over again if it meant she would have Skippy come into her life.
Learn more HERE and begin the once-in-a-lifetime portrait experience you and your horse deserve.
Whether you are a repeat customer, a past portrait client, or an admirer of their work, there are many ways you can thank and help the photographers in your life. Whether it is a review from your experience, referrals, or sharing your favorite portraits, every bit counts towards supporting your favorite photographer. While there are endless opportunities to show your appreciation, let’s focus on 5 ways to help and thank your photographer.
1 | Leave Them A Review!
Think about it, when you are looking for a place to stay, eat, or experience, checking the reviews is one of the first steps. After you have completed your portrait experience with your photographer, they may ask if you could write a review for them. Even if they don’t ask, it means the world to see those reviews come across our screen! Find their Facebook and/or Google page and share your experience with others looking for portraits like yours. Adding your favorite photo from your session is the perfect bow on top of a positive review for your photographer.
Review From Charlotte Detienne Photography’s Facebook Page
2 | Refer Your Friends!
The best compliment a photographer can receive is the gift of referrals. We like to know if we have done a good job for you and meeting barn friends, family or work colleagues because of you makes our day. Whether it’s during lessons at the barn or you come across a social media post searching for a photographer just like the one you had, mention their name and their business, it never hurts! Can you think of someone you know who would enjoy spending an evening dressed up with their horse?
5 Horse Girls
3 | Share Your Portraits!
Sharing your watermarked portraits on social and business platforms is much appreciated, but don’t forget to tag our business as well! When you give credit to your photographer on Facebook or Instagram, you can simply apply @ before the name of their business and you are good to go! For example, @charlottedetiennephotography
We also love keeping in touch after your portraits are complete and tagging us will ensure we can see what amazing things you are up to!
Family Portrait with Palomino Horse
4 | Document Your Art!
Once you have completed the planning call, enjoyed the session, and picked out your artwork you will finally have a perfect package arrive at your doorstep. I know it can be super exciting when that wooden crate arrives with your custom canvas inside. Take a moment to video yourself opening your package as well as photos of your artwork in your home! Sharing those photos both online as well as sending them to your photographer makes their day and helps them use it to promote their work! If you have wall art in your home and haven’t sent a photo our way, feel free the next time you are home to do so!
Custom Framed Canvas From Family Portraits with Dogs
5 | Purchase a Gift Certificate!
The best part about Gift Certificates is that you can either purchase them for a friend or yourself in the future! Investing in Gift Certificates is an extremely helpful and direct method when it comes to showing your support and gratitude for your photographer. Gift Certificates make amazing gifts for birthdays, holidays, and of course, bringing home a new horse or dog! Do you have someone in mind who you think would love a gift certificate for professional portraits?
Family Portrait with Dog in Front of Horse Barn
We always love working with you and getting to know your furry friends and are grateful for your trust in the experience we are providing. Thank you for returning when it is time to update your portraits, leaving those reviews, sharing your portraits, and investing in future sessions! Make sure you apply a few of these tips and tricks to your favorite photographer if you haven’t already!
-Charlotte
Are you looking to schedule one-of-a-kind portraits catered to you and your (furry) family? Visit HERE to begin your portrait journey with Charlotte today!
While wandering around the shore at their lake house, the Setterlund family created an unforgettable series of portraits with the ones they love most. With their trusted dogs McKinsey and Zoomer by their side, we began our adventures throughout the beautiful scenery Lake Oconee has to offer.
It had been 2 years in the making to have updated family portraits created and Cindy Setterlund knew it was time to schedule. Their dog McKinsey at the time was 14 years old and had been a part of the family for twelve years. Their son Ryan was 13 and the years were only going to continue to passing by, it was time.
Although in the beginning, Cindy’s husband, Kamran was apprehensive about the need for updated family portraits, he soon realized the value in what those portraits would create. With the goal of creating custom artwork for their Lake Oconee home and their Atlanta home, with the added bonus of a nice Christmas card in mind, Cindy also wanted to have a quality experience with her family and their dogs. One of Cindy’s favorite aspects of their portrait experience was how relaxing it was from start to finish and the ability to feel comfortable in front of the camera.
When creating the wardrobe inspiration for their family portraits, I knew I wanted a color scheme that would stand out from the background and compliment their home. With this in mind, I decided to use tones of pink and tan for their first set followed by natural tones of blue and tan for their second set. Cindy said she was not typically the type of person to wear dresses or skirts but when we created the plan for their wardrobe, she trusted it would make their portraits stand out on their own.
Cindy’s goal in creating family portraits with the dogs was to capture where they were in time as well as their personalities. Their lab/hound mix originally rescued from Angels Among Us Pet Rescue in Alpharetta, Georgia was fourteen years old at the time and is still with them today! One of their absolute favorite portraits of McKinsey was towards the end where you see she was tired of the photos with her head between her paws.
While McKinsey took a nap after her fun during their portraits, Ryan took Zoomer out to the edge of their dock and watched the sunset which quickly became a fan favorite from their gallery. Zoomer joined the Setterlund family as a coon hound puppy from the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association Rescue. Cindy recalls feeding Zoomer as if he were going to grow into a much larger dog but soon realized this puppy that had joined the family was actually a beagle/hound mix. Regardless of what Zoomer turned out to be as an adult, he was and still is incredibly loved by his family.
The Setterlund lake house has a casual décor style, when creating their wall art from their portraits, we chose the natural feel of Barnwood mounted metals. The creation of their album allowed me to tell the full story of love, friendship and loyalty through their artwork. Have you wanted to create updated memories and portraits with your family? Visit HERE to begin the portrait experience you will never forget!
One of the Setterlund Family’s beautiful museum canvases with its creators in Washington, USA.
Scheduling professional portraits is your first step towards a home filled with custom artwork and memories to last generations. When working with me, you receive a full-service client experience from wardrobe planning, animal preparation guidance, and posing to interior design.
Imagine this, you have professional portraits created with your horses, dogs, and loved ones, and you receive a gallery full of portraits but have no idea where to start. Don’t worry, I will be here every single step of the way including creating the artwork you plan to display your beautiful portraits on, whether that is a beautiful custom canvas for your walls or an heirloom quality album.
When working with me, your portraits are beautiful pieces of art waiting to be displayed in your home. That is why I offer digital interior design to each and every one of my clients when planning out what they would like to do with their portraits. This means you can send me a photo of the walls you would like to display your portraits on and I can virtually display what each portrait will look like displayed in your home, to scale. There is nothing worse than purchasing a piece of art as a focal point for your dining room and realizing it is far too small and the colors most certainly do not go with the other décor! While there are a variety of smaller options available, today I want to highlight the two most popular options my clients choose for their portraits: Museum Canvas and Heirloom albums
One of our artisans working on a canvas
Museum Canvas
A coveted favorite when it comes to the artwork I provide to my clients by far is my custom canvas. These museum-quality, handmade canvases are unlike any other canvases you have seen or felt before. They’re so thick and durable that you can even clean them with Windex or water! Each canvas comes stretched tight as a drumhead with hand-painted clear acrylic brush stroking, a certificate of authenticity, and a canvas crate for safe traveling. The difference you can see and feel; truly a one-of-a-kind, handmade art piece!
Family Portrait (Left) Created on a Custom Framed Canvas (Right)
Heirloom Albums
If you are the type of person who prefers displaying your portraits within an album, I can assure you that I have the perfect one for you! Leading up to your portraits, we will plan not only the location and wardrobe but also chat about what you are hoping to create with your portraits. For example, if you are hoping to create an album, I will ensure that I take a few more detailed portraits of eyes, ears, and the thing that makes your horse or dog unique to tell a full story from start to finish.
The acrylic photo covers on our heirloom albums invite the viewer to take a peek inside and allow you to enjoy your portraits, even when closed.
If both options sound absolutely wonderful, that’s great! I am here each and every step through the sorting process all the way to the design work at the end. Most of my clients enjoy pairing wall art with an heirloom album to complete their home. If you are unfamiliar with creating artwork out of portraits created with your furry family, don’t worry, working with Charlotte Detienne Photography guarantees a full understanding and pain-free creation of artwork from the day of shooting to delivery day!
If you have not yet booked a portrait session with me or have been on the fence, feel free to book a quick chat with me here and begin your portrait journey today!
We all strive to have that one special bond between horse and human, for Ashlee and her horse April, that is exactly what it was. I have always mentioned how April looks like a ‘Barbie Horse’, she is such a beautiful, elegant girl that I had the opportunity to capture in an artistic way!
While Ashlee often lives a busy and sometimes hectic lifestyle, she is perfectly balanced out by April’s calm and willing nature with a hint of spunk! Of course, when I had asked Ashlee what her perfect weekend would be like, it included April:
“A nice, long trail ride and a picnic. I did this with some friends from the barn on my birthday this past year. We went to Hard Labor Creek Park and all rode our horses 12 miles and then stopped briefly for a picnic lunch. It was an awesome birthday!”
While Ashlee originally had Lita, her Icelandic horse, she knew she wanted something with a bit more endurance than what Lita wanted to give. Then enters a 3.5-year-old Rocky Mountain Horse; after learning about how they were the Labradors of the horse world, super sweet and willing to please, and were great on trails and for endurance, Ashlee had to give her a shot. April had originally been owned by Luis Candelario who had bought April for his wife. He sent April off to be trained by Davy and Jennifer Brothers at Horse of Your Dreams in Kentucky. After training, he didn’t feel like April was a good fit for his wife. She needed something a little more relaxed and April has energy that just goes and goes. Turns out, April was exactly what Ashlee was looking for. They felt comfortable around each other and it felt like the perfect match.
April currently resides at Southern Cross Ranch in Madison, Georgia, and will hopefully join Ashlee in Tennessee soon! She has become well known for her hugs and her sweet, calm eyes. She is so delicate in the way she does things and is always interested in saying hello to everyone. She is the perfect combination of sweet and spunky! When in doubt, carrots and treats are the way to April’s heart!
You can also follow the incredible life Ashlee lives on her YouTube Channel Honeysuckle Homestead Retreat. She is documenting the process of building her homestead with a tiny house! Follow along as she figures out how to do things – like building storage sheds, figuring out what crops to plant and what animals she feels are best suited for her little farm! She is doing most of the work alone!
Check out April’s portraits in Desiree’s tiny home in the Appalachian mountains! 👇
Do you have upcoming portraits with me or want to schedule to have black background artwork created with your horses? Visit us HERE to schedule your portraits today and don’t forget the check out our blog on Preparing Your Horse for Black Background Portraits to set your horse up for success!
There are many factors in motion when scheduling your horse and rider portraits from preparing your horse, planning out artwork, and of course, creating your wardrobe. But don’t stress! we will be planning your portrait wardrobe together, I always suggest creating two different looks such as an all-out formal look to maybe a dressed-down casual style. Keep reading for my 8 favorite tips to keep in mind when planning your portrait wardrobe!
Say Yes to the Dress!
Scheduling equine portraits with a professional photographer means you have an excuse to dress up in a way you don’t normally dress. Whether you have wanted to throw on a sequined gown or a tulle skirt, all forms of fashion are encouraged here! Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well but can be restrictive and impractical when it comes to horse and rider portraits. Rent the Runway is a great place to find amazing designer dresses! I also love Anthropologie, Free People, and Joyfolie. We also offer a fun and exciting client closet to look through as well if shopping is not your favorite activity!
Colors
There are a few factors that come into play when planning out the colors you will wear for your portraits with your horse. Consider what season you are in, the color of your horse, where you plan to display your portraits, and what flatters you best! When choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting softer, lighter tones and more muted shades. Avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors and patterns will help bring all the attention to your face and let the eye focus on you! The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, and tan. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments. This will also be a topic we dive into personally once you schedule your portraits with me!
Textures & Layers
While you may be avoiding patterns in your portrait outfits, that certainly does not mean we are avoiding fun! Using textures like ruffles, lace, or sequins will add visual interest to your outfit without distracting the eye too much. Layering is also a great way to add variety and interest to your images without a full outfit change; jackets, vests, and blazers work very well for this!
Arms & Sleeves
When creating your outfit for your horse and rider portraits it is important to factor in any insecurities you may have. A frequent concern I hear when it comes to portraits of women with their horses is how their arms will look. If your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms, I recommend avoiding skinny straps or strapless dresses whenever possible (unless you have toned arms!) and opting for something with longer sleeves or adding a second layer such as a jacket, blazer, or duster. Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve.
Accessories
Once we have the basics of color, style, and texture, we can then move onto the fun part, accessories! Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images, and be a nice tie-in when you’re coordinating with others. Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not as noticeable on camera. Hats, belts, bracelets, and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention.
Shape & Silhouette
Choosing the perfect outfit for your horse and rider portraits means selecting a shape and silhouette that will flatter you best! Flattering silhouettes that complement your natural features are the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos. If your goal is to keep a slim look, avoid baggy or loose outfits as these can add bulk. Instead, try a variety of fits until you find something that accentuates your figure in the “right” places and makes you check that mirror twice!
Shoes
While some locations may work, it is always wise to approach your shoe selection with safety in mind. Remember, we are working with your horse as well so you need to have the ability to walk and function oftentimes on unpredictable footing. We will likely be in fields with uneven ground with your horse. Boots or wedges pair well with both dresses and jeans and provide more stability than sandals or heels. Make sure you practice walking around in your shoes if you purchase a new pair for your portraits!
Desensitizing
Once we have created your signature look it is time for one of the most important steps, desensitizing your horse! Whether you have a sensitive or bombproof horse, I highly suggest trying your look out on your horse just to be safe. If you are planning to wear a dress, spend some time getting your horse accustomed to it- especially if you will be doing any mounted shots! Some horses may require a few tries, and can spook at surprising things such as noisy fabric, sparkly sequins, or even a different type of hat, this is why it is very important to desensitize your horse plenty of time before your session.
While I handle creating your wardrobe for your horse and rider portraits, I hope these 8 tips and tricks will help you better prepare for your upcoming portraits! Have you been on the edge of scheduling portraits with your horse? Make sure you take a moment to book an appointment for a quick info call with me and begin your portrait journey today!
There is an indescribable value in having portraits created with the animals we learned the most from, the ones we bonded with and grew to love more with age. Ginger is that horse for Courtney which made their portraits incredibly special for me. It also was very clear as Courtney mentioned that she and her dog Lira shared an immediate bond since she had been born. I had such a wonderful experience creating these portraits for Courtney as she too is a photographer in the pet industry!
The connection Courtney and Ginger shared was certainly once in a lifetime. When she shared how Ginger came into her life at just 4 years old which put their time together at 30 years, I knew this was special. Courtney described Ginger as a sometimes opinionated mare who simply knows what she wants- and she wants treats! Very few things would catch Ginger’s attention for portraits but we could always rely on treats, wrappers and anything that hinted towards food.
Although this lovely mare lived a luxury life of retirement bossing the miniature donkeys around, Courtney fondly reflects on the ruts created in the pasture from their first years of riding. Having a horse willing to take you to the moon is a rare connection, being the perfect mixture of a pleasure horse and trusted babysitter. From giving treats, learning to ride, laughing and crying, Ginger was clearly that once in a lifetime horse.
When asked why she wanted to have portraits created, Courtney had the greatest reason. Her Grandmother often reminded her to have portraits created with Ginger, unfortunately she passed away before they had been completed. She followed up by saying:
“I made a commitment that I would have our portraits done before it was too late for Ginger.”
Including her dog Lira in her portraits was also important for Courtney as they too share an incredible history. A true photographer’s dog, Lira challenged her mom in the whole pose pretty request for portraits, but ultimately created memorable portraits. When photographing Lira and Courtney, it was quite obvious they had a connection. Lira’s introduction to this world was quite the story. She was born with major congenital birth defects and given less than a 5% chance of survival at birth, but that was 4 years ago and other than a few minor issues she has been in perfect health.
When looking through Courtney’s portraits, there is no question she has tremendous love for the animals in her life. Seeing Ginger’s personality come out and having the opportunity to photograph Lira created the perfect combination of custom artwork and generational memories. Since our time together, Ginger passed away in the comfort of Courtney’s farm after fighting Cushing’s disease, comforted by the human she had shared so much love with those past 30 years. It is such an honor to have had the opportunity to document such meaningful portraits for a duo I will not soon forget.
On top of being a phenomenal businesswoman, equestrian, and animal lover, Courtney also runs a small dog rescue in Rutledge, Georgia called The Rescue Ranch Pups. This entire organization is dedicated to saving medically fragile & special needs Boston Terriers & their friends. They seek to be a positive influence in animal rescue through community outreach, working with other rescues, and making a difference in the lives of animals. Make sure you take a moment to check out this incredible organization and support Courtney’s dream of making this world a better place for animals.
Do you have a senior animal that has become your entire world? Visit HERE to begin your custom portrait journey today!
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