Poses from an equine photographer to help you look confident in front of the camera (even if you feel a little awkward)

Does this sound like you?

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“I'm afraid to have my photos taken”

“I don't like being in front of a camera”

“I don't feel confident when having my photo taken”

“I've never had a professional photoshoot”

Having your photo taken can me nerve-wracking! Especially if you're not used to being in front of a camera. You might be worried about looking awkward, you might not like your smile, and the oh-so-common-question,

"What do I do with my hands?"

As a photographer I hear this all the time, but don't worry, you do not have to be a model to get photos that you love and feel good about!

 If you've ever thought,

" I hate having my photo taken"

Or

"I never look good in pictures..."

This is the post for you!

Here are some of my top tips and photos to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to enjoy your photoshoot!

Tip 1: Shift your focus: Think about the experience, not the camera...


Instead of thinking, "I am booking a photoshoot," trying to replace that thought with, "I'm booking an experience!" Work to focus on where you are, a photoshoot is a special occasion! It's meant to capture moments that you want to keep forever! Don't let the camera lens be what stops you! The photographer that you choose should be offering an experience where you are having fun, feeling powerful, confident, and encouraged!


Tip 2: Movement......


A lot of people think that posing means to stand still and...strike a pose! But movement is such an important factor when creating natural movement. So instead of standing still, don't be afraid to move! You can fix your shirt, walk, run a hand through your hair, laugh and look off to the side. And of course interact with your horse or your dog!

Tip 3: When Your Hands Forget How to Exist....


If you've booked a good photographer (hey!🙋🏼‍♀️) they should guide you on where to put your hands. But a couple tips to bring with you:


Place one hand in your pocket

Lightly touch your hair, or your face

Find a prop and hold it, switch hands, bring it up to your face.


And tips for during your horse and rider or canine session:

Hold your horse's reins

Gently place your hands on their neck

Gently wrap your hands around their face

Pet your horse or your dog

Tip 4: Wear something that makes you feel ✨fantastic✨


Not only do you want to feel confident while posing, you want to also feel confident in what you're wearing! You want your outfit to fit your body type, feel comfortable on your skin, and allow you to move naturally. If you wear something to your session that you don't feel like a badass in, then it's going to show in your photos! Don't be afraid to ask your photographer for advice! Photographers have an eye for outfits!


If you missed my horse and rider style guide you can find that here

You deserve to feel great!


You should feel good about your photoshoot! Go into it with confidence! Don't be afraid to voice if something makes you feel uncomfortable. You got this! Go and pose with confidence!

My Favorite 5 Horse & Rider Poses

Casual Walk


Walk towards or away from the camera with your horse.

Hold your reins in both hands, or hold them in one hand and pat your pony as you walk towards or away from the camera


Woman in jeans and black top walking down gravel path with two chestnut horses in wooded outdoor setting.
A brown horse and a white horse graze together in a sunlit pasture during golden hour.
A couple walks together through a scenic field at golden hour as sunlight filters through trees in the background.

Hug Your Pony


This is one of my favorite poses for those who don't know what to do with their hands!

It's such a natural action to gently place your hand on your horses shoulder, or around their nose!

This pose works both facing towards your horse or the same direction.

A rider in a turquoise sweater and cowboy hat embraces a brown horse in a sunlit forest setting.
A series of photos showing a brown horse and someone in a white tiered dress standing together in a grassy field at sunset.
A person in jeans and green shirt shares a tender moment with their dark brown horse in a sunlit outdoor setting.

Lay Down


This one work best for those comfortable enough to sit on your pony bareback!

This one can be done a couple of ways, either leaning forward, laying on your back, or turned completely around. I only do this pose with rider's whose horses are comfortable.

A brown horse stands in a grassy field with autumn mountains and foliage in the background.
A person riding a dappled gray horse through a wooded trail on a sunny day.
A young person in a pink dress rides a brown horse through a scenic outdoor setting at sunset.
A brown horse stands in a fall meadow with mountains in the background as someone reclines on its back.
A series of photos showing someone lying on a brown horse's back in a relaxed pose with trees in the background.

Kiss your pony

If you’re standing beside your pony, kiss them right above the eye.

If you’re standing in front of your horse kiss right on their perfect velvety nose! 

And if you’re squatting or kneeling beside your nose, go for the side of their nose. 

A dark horse and rider perform a sliding stop maneuver in an outdoor arena, kicking up dirt and dust.
A woman in a white tiered dress shares a tender moment with a brown horse at sunset in a rustic field setting.
A sequence of three photos showing a person interacting playfully with a chestnut horse by a black fence in a sandy arena.

Bring in your model face ( The Power Pose)

I like to use this prompt when I’m going for a more stoic look. Another way to think about it:

“Lift your chin up as though you are the queen of the world”

OR

 “Look through the lens and think of what makes you feel most powerful!”


This one can really bring out your power pose! My goal is to have your horse looking away, preferably in their most regal way! 

A brown and white horse and rider in pink walk along a white fence on a sunny summer day.
A person gently pets a brown horse in a grassy field during golden hour.
A woman in a white dress stands with a dappled gray horse in a sunlit field during golden hour.

Feeling ready, confident, and prepared!

Time to book your photoshoot!