Be A Problem Solver

As a client, preparing for the photography session is hard work. It involves an immense amount of planning and logistics to ensure that all subjects (human and horsey) are perfectly prepared for the start time of the session. That includes a person’s: hair, nails, makeup, outfits, jewelry, accessories, etc. It also includes the horse’s: clipping, bathing, grooming, hair care, hoof care, tack cleaning, and more.

I put myself in the position to be photographed often so that I have a very clear understanding of how stressful the event is for the person I am photographing. I want to be empathetic and as helpful as I possibly can to make this process easier, smoother, and more enjoyable.

How do I do this?

I send a welcome magazine with a long list of helpful tips and instructions.

I offer advice on my website and blog posts and remind my clients of the resourses I’ve given them.

I send reminders before the session.

Yet, no matter how much I prepare them… sometimes I just need to help do the work for them.

“What happens when you show up to a session and the horse isn’t ready?”

I get the horse ready. Me. I do it. Typically with the help of the assistant I brought, too. We get to work as fast as we can!

I give the horse a bath.

I curry and brush it.

I am on my hands and knees applying hoof polish.

I wipe away every eye and nose booger.

I clean the bridle/halter myself.

I arrive 30 minutes early to every session to discuss outfits and scout locations… but if the horse isn’t ready upon my arrival then I go into full problem-solving mode.

It is MY JOB to provide a service that includes both an enjoyable, memorable experience and beautiful images and I will do absolutely anything to make sure that happens.

As soon as I arrive on set, I want the horse trainer, assistant horse trainer, groom, client, client’s mom… and EVERYONE there to take a big breath and relax and know that I have this covered and I’m going to solve ALL of their problems. I want to make every person’s job easier! If there is a problem, I want to be the solution.