To get the best from your shoot, your horse or dog should be cleaned and groomed as if they were going to a show. Horses can be plaited or not whichever you prefer. They eyes and nose often collect bits of 'gunge' so it maybe best to wipe these down last thing and keep the sponge or a tissue on hand. For horses often a little baby oil can help to take the dry look away from these areas but again its your preference.

Any tack or leads being used ought to be well cleaned and where possible kept to a minimum. For horses, often a simple leather headcollar or bridle works best, those colourful nylon headcollars dont always look so good! Similar for dogs, if possible a simple collar and lead which will show off your pet.

Depending on your horse/dog it is possible to photograph them with 'nothing on' but its still usually best to have a lead or halter to hand just in case. More often than not I can remove the lead from headcollars/collars when editing.

It is possible to do the shoot with just you and your horse, however a second pair of hands is very useful for either holding your horse or trying to get his attention. A bucket rattler is always very welcome!

Usually I will have done a weather check with you the night before, if it is a mixed forecast I will likely have checked with you on the morning of the shoot too. Trusting all is going ahead, I will turn up at the agreed location (which can be your yard, stable, woodland, bridle path or garden for a dog) at the agreed time. I will usually have with me two cameras, one is a spare and various lenses although I do usually just favour one.

We will work your horse/dog through a variety of positions to get the types of images you want. Depending upon the length of shoot there should be time for you to change outfits (usually horse shoots only), should you want to.

Horses and dogs by nature can often fidget but that's not a problem, it only take a fraction of a second to get the shot, we can hopefully distract them with tidbits.

I will take an abundance of different shots and the ones that make the final cut will be available (usually within two weeks) to view on a private gallery. These will be simply edited, you can then choose your final selection and these will be fully edited and available for you to download.

We are lucky in this country to 'usually' have four defined seasons, so this is the first thing you need to decide upon.

Do you like the look of spring images where everything is bursting into life, lots of lush greens, cow parsley frothing in the fields and on the bridleways. The bluebells usually around April time make for a spectacular backdrop if you are lucky enough to be able to access a woodland where they are prevalent. Late spring is often the time for tree blossom and also is the time when the rapeseed fields glow yellow, again this can make a wonderful backdrop. Summer can bring with it that stunning late evening glow and of course the fields of golden corn. Or perhaps like me you are an Autumn lover, October is usually the most colourful in terms of oranges and browns. Please do not write off winter though, the light can be subtle, the colours muted but this gives a lovely neutral backdrop for most types of shoot.

So if you are thinking of a horse shoot, perhaps with a change of outfit, think about the type of scene we will be shooting. Perhaps wear something that will contrast it, so if its spring with flowers and such like maybe wear something plain that won't be too fussy, something that will look good against that green backdrop. Summer can bring out the light and airy clothes or perhaps you have just had a school prom and your dress is just hanging there? Think about tweeds and cream colours for autumn and then woolly sweaters and hats for that winter look.

Once you have booked me I will have a date and time in the diary. Prior to the day we will discuss the type of images you require and obviously the location. I am happy for you to forward examples of images that you have seen and like and I will do my utmost to replicate them.

If the weather is going to let us down (rain!) then it will be possible to reschedule on a mutually convenient day. If your horse should be unwell or lame then please let me know as soon as possible so that we can rearrange.

I am reliable, friendly and easy going. Completely at home around horses, dogs and muck! You will often find me on my knees during the shoot.

Nothing on the day will be rushed, I will direct you and your horse or dog into the best positions, trying at all times to emphasis the relationship you have with each other.

Please either drop me an email or a message to check my availability. Once we have agreed upon a date, time and location I will require a £50 deposit to secure the session. The balance is then required a week before the day of the shoot.

*As a rough guide for the one/one and half hour shoots, areas covered by my prices should be within the following perimeter Sherburn in Elmet, Selby, Goole, Thorne, Askern, Ackworth, Normanton, Rothwell, Garforth (you get the drift?) If in doubt please ask me.
Due to increasing costs, anywhere outside these areas will have a combined mileage/travel time cost of 75p/mile
I am absolutely more than happy to cover other areas but please use the contact me page for a quote, I will require your postcode for this.

Due to the lower cost, the 30/45 minute shoots are restricted just to the Selby, Pontefract, Castleford, Sherburn, Snaith and Askern perimeter. Again I am more than happy to travel but additional mileage/travel costs will need to be applied. Please email or message me with the shoot location postcode for a cost.

Thank you x

I know exactly how you feel, there is no one worse than me. But in all honesty you do not even have to look at the camera if you don't want to. Look at your beloved horse or dog and I can take it from there. I will put you at ease and make the shoot fun. Many of the best images I have taken are with no eye contact. Just pretend I am not there or failing that I can capture your best friend on their own if that is what you really want.