While attending the end of year banquet for the GHJA, Eliza and her mom Abbie noticed an exciting donation for horse and rider portraits with me. They found it was perfect timing as Eliza was an upcoming senior in need of senior portraits! While they had family portraits created about 5 years prior, they had not worked with a photographer who specialized in equine portraits or a full service experience. 

While Eliza does not typically enjoy having her portraits taken, she was excited to have this experience with her Holsteiner, Corey. We knew we wanted to create these portraits at Eliza’s favorite place, the barn. While we wandered around the grounds of MDS Farms in Canton, Georgia we took advantage of the well groomed driveways, pastures and stunning barn doorways. 

Abbie looked back on how the day of experience was by saying:

“Eliza enjoyed the whole experience and how we purposefully scheduled their portraits for when you can get those sunset shots. We felt Eliza out and always kept her involved in the experience. In the past, a lot of professional photographers put her in unnatural positions and made her feel very posed where it never felt that way for her senior portraits.”

There was a specific vision in mind when creating Eliza’s portraits, after our planning call going over how I would be shooting and designing their session, Eliza sent many photo ideas of what she wanted to wear. We ultimately landed on a casual black and white romper, jean jacket and sandals followed by a floor length formal lilac gown. Both outfits complimented Corey’s dark bay coat against the beautiful natural backdrop. 

One thing Abbie recalls is how we clearly use a well-organized and laid out process for each client from start to finish. When it came to planning those must have shots for Eliza, she knew she wanted to get on Corey bareback with a flowy dress. It took some time and effort, but eventually the beautiful dress you see pictured brought her dream photo to life. 

While Eliza can be shy, there was always a sense of comfort and confidence for this natural animal lover. Abbie likes to say that Eliza is your typical barn girl who loves horses more than people and that was the exact person Corey needed in his life. They had purchased Corey from a professional who had imported him to the United States and he had very little experience with horse girls in general. Eliza has worked tirelessly with him on social skills and how to have a genuine connection with people. While he was never mean, he just didn’t have the urge to socialize with anyone. She would often take a book and sit in his stall for hours without any acknowledgement until he realized she had treats with her. Today, Corey is known to be waiting right at the stall door as soon as he knows someone is walking by. 

It was Abbie’s goal to capture the relationship Eliza and Corey worked so hard to build throughout their portraits and that is exactly what we did. At the time, Abbie was in the process of building their home and had not yet moved in, she was able to send me measurements of the rooms we planned to decorate and still order exactly what would fit that wall. She remembered thinking how she’d never buy a canvas that large had she not known through the virtual assistance that it would compliment their home perfectly. Today, their large canvas’ are displayed in the foyer as well as Eliza’s room and their album is something they look back on fondly.

While Eliza is now off to college and missing Corey terribly, she looks forward to bringing him out once her trainer Melinda Sise of MDS Farms has completed her work with him. Together they compete frequently in the Equitation classes and have a bright future awaiting them. 

Are you looking to have portraits created with a photographer who knows her way around both you and your horse? Click HERE for more information and begin the portrait experience of your dreams today!