Equine Photographers Podcast

Suzanne Sylvester - Interviews with equine photographers and other industry professionals to discover their love for horses and how they use their cameras to show the beauty of the horse and to make a living in the niche' of equine photography.
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Learn how today’s professional equine photographers got to where they are and how their niche’ works

  1. 17H AGO

    29: Field Notes - Why Can't Multiple Photographers Just Shoot The Same Show?

    Why Can’t Multiple Photographers Just Shoot the Same Horse Show? Horse show photography isn’t built around competition. It’s built around coverage. This question comes up all the time: Why can’t multiple photographers just shoot the same horse show? On the surface, it sounds like a competition issue. It’s not. It comes down to how horse shows are actually run, and where photography fits into that system. Horse show photography isn’t just about getting a good shot. It’s about consistent coverage for every exhibitor that walks into the arena. That’s the part most people don’t see. This episode walks through what that actually looks like. In This Episode why horse shows aren’t open shooting environments what the official photographer is actually responsible for how larger shows are covered by coordinated teams what happens when photographers work independently at the same event why consistency matters more than people think Key Takeaway Horse show photography is built around coverage. Not competition. The goal is simple. Every exhibitor who goes in the pen should be able to find their ride documented. Not just the big runs. Not just the top riders. Everyone. Related Article Read the full article: Why Horse Shows Use an Official Photographer (And Not Multiple Photographers) Connect The Horse In Focus Equine Photographers Podcast Final Thought Understanding how horse shows operate helps photographers approach the industry with more clarity and professionalism. And that benefits everyone involved — the photographers, the riders, and the events themselves. Subscribe The post 29: Field Notes – Why Can’t Multiple Photographers Just Shoot The Same Show appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

    8 min

  2. 6D AGO

    28: Field Notes - Private Client Photography at Horse Shows

    Horse shows are structured, fast-paced environments where multiple professionals are working at the same time—trainers, riders, show staff, veterinarians, vendors, and photographers. Within that environment, it’s not uncommon for riders to hire their own photographer to document their experience at a show. But when a horse show already has an official photographer, the question naturally comes up: Where does private client photography fit? Understanding the difference between official event coverage and private client work is key to answering that question. While both types of photography exist at the same event, they serve very different purposes—and recognizing that distinction helps photographers operate professionally within the structure of a horse show. Episode Summary Can riders hire their own photographer at a horse show? In this Field Notes episode, we break down what private client photography is, how it differs from official event coverage, and how photographers can approach it professionally. From understanding show policies to working alongside official photographers, this episode explores how private client work fits within the broader structure of horse show photography. Subscribe What You’ll Learn What private client photography at horse shows actually means How private client work differs from official event coverage What a typical day looks like for both roles Why horse shows have photography and media policies How photographers can work professionally within the show environment Key Takeaways Private client photography is not a replacement for official event coverage—it’s a different service entirely. Understanding that distinction allows photographers to provide value to their clients while still respecting the structure of the event and the role of the official photographer. When approached with professionalism and awareness, private client work can complement the overall coverage of a horse show rather than conflict with it. Topics Covered Defining private client photography Event coverage vs. client-focused coverage What private photography looks like during a show day Show policies and media guidelines Professional awareness and working alongside others Why riders value private photography Resources & Related Reading – Read the companion article on The Horse In Focus: Private Client Photography at Horse Shows – Explore more episodes from Equine Photographers Podcast Field Notes About Field Notes Field Notes is a short-form series from the Equine Photographers Podcast focused on real-world topics, industry insights, and conversations that working photographers are having every day. Suscribe The post 28: Field Notes – Private Client Photography at Horse Shows appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

    8 min

  3. MAR 18

    27: Field Notes — The Ethics of Photographing Horse Shows

    Horse shows are busy, fast-moving environments where trainers, exhibitors, and organizers work together to keep everything running smoothly. Along the rail, it’s common to see someone with a camera—but not every photographer is there in an official capacity. The ethics of photographing horse shows becomes an important conversation when someone simply shows up and begins shooting without permission. Understanding the role of the official photographer, the expectations of show management, and the impact on the industry helps clarify why this situation is more complex than it might first appear. Episode Summary Can you photograph a horse show without permission? In this Field Notes episode, we break down the ethics of photographing horse shows and why simply showing up with a camera isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. From the role of the official photographer to the expectations of show management, this conversation explores the professional standards that keep the industry functioning smoothly. Subscribe What You’ll Learn What the official horse show photographer is responsible for Why photographing horse shows without permission creates conflict The difference between spectators, hobbyists, and professionals How unauthorized photography impacts working photographers and event organizers What professional etiquette looks like at horse shows Key Takeaways Horse show photography isn’t just about capturing images — it’s about understanding the structure of the event, respecting professional roles, and contributing to an ecosystem that supports photographers, exhibitors, and organizers alike. What might feel harmless in the moment can have real consequences for the people hired to do the job. Topics Covered The role of the official photographer Permission vs. access at horse shows Industry expectations and professional conduct Common misconceptions about photographing events Why this topic continues to come up in the equine photography industry Resources & Related Reading – Read the companion article on The Horse In Focus: Just Showing Up With a Camera: The Ethics of Photographing Horse Shows -Explore more episodes from Equine Photographers Podcast Field Notes About Field Notes Field Notes is a short-form series from the Equine Photographers Podcast focused on real-world topics, industry insights, and conversations that working photographers are having every day. Subscribe The post 27: Field Notes — The Ethics of Photographing Horse Shows: Can You Just Show Up With a Camera? appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

    11 min

  4. JAN 8

    Mastering Fine Art & Wild Horse Conservation in Equine Photography — with Carol Walker (10 years later)

    Carol Walker Returns: 10 Years of Growth Carol Walker returns to share what changed in her fine art equine photography business over the last decade—what she’d do differently, how her creative focus evolved, and why wild horse conservation remains at the heart of her work. SUBSCRIBE  IN THIS EPISODE: Carol Walker of Living Images by Carol Walker returns to The Equine Photographer’s Podcast for a candid “10 years later” conversation about what changed—creatively and professionally—since her last appearance. We talk about how her fine art equine photography approach evolved, what she would do differently if she were building her business again today, and the practical shifts that helped her stay aligned with her long-term vision. We also dive into photography as visual advocacy and why wild horse conservation continues to shape the stories she chooses to tell. If you’re an equine photographer who wants to refine your artistic voice, build a body of work with meaning, and grow in a way that feels sustainable, this episode will help you think more clearly about the next decade—not just the next booking.     KEY TAKEAWAYS What changed in Carol’s business—and what stayed the same—over 10 years How to evaluate your work as a fine art body of work What Carol would do differently if starting today Using photography as a voice for conservation Building a recognizable artistic style over time Balancing creative integrity with business growth About the Guest: Carol Walker Carol Walker is the artist behind Living Images by Carol Walker. Her fine art equine photography and wild horse work focus on storytelling, conservation, and creating imagery that lasts beyond a single moment in time. Connect with Carol: Website: Living Images by Carol Walker Instagram: @wild_hoofbeats Facebook: Living Images by Carol Walker SUBSCRIBE Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss a conversation—and share this one with an equine photographer building meaningful work for the long term. We invite you to subscribe on iTunes so you never miss a new episode of the Equine Photographers Podcast. Subscribing, rating, and leaving a review helps other photographers discover the show and supports the continued growth of the podcast. If you found this episode valuable, we’d appreciate you taking a moment to leave a rating or review. Subscribe on iTunes → The post 26: Fine Art Equine Photography & Wild Horse Conservation With Carol Walker appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

    50 min

  5. 04/22/2017

    Building an Authentic Equine Photography Career from Childhood Passion — with Lori McIntosh

    Lori McIntosh: How She Built Her Equine Photography Passion from Childhood to Career In this episode, Lori McIntosh shares how a childhood surrounded by photography and horses became the foundation for her equine photography journey — from early studio experiences to endurance riding and professional work today. Whether you’re building your own equine business or exploring your creative roots, Lori’s story shows how passion and persistence shape a meaningful career. SUBSCRIBE IN THIS EPISODE Lori McIntosh’s equine photography story begins long before she ever picked up a camera professionally. Growing up in a photography studio and spending summers at horse camp, Lori built a lifelong connection to both horses and imagery that shaped her creative path. In this episode, she recalls how early studio work taught her the craft, how endurance riding deepened her understanding of horses, and how those elements continue to influence her photographic vision today. Listeners will hear what it’s like to merge a passion for animals with artistic expression, lessons on building a sustainable photography career, and insights into staying connected to the things you love most. Whether you’re an aspiring equine photographer or a long-time creative professional, Lori’s experiences offer both inspiration and practical takeaways for your own journey.   KEY TAKE AWAYS: How Lori’s early life around photography shaped her artistic voice The role equestrian experiences played in her career focus Lessons on building skill through real-world involvement Why balancing passion and professionalism matters What endurance riding taught her about perseverance and creativity About Our Guest: Lori McIntosh Lori McIntosh is an equine photographer based in Auburn, California, whose passion for photography grew up inside her family’s studio and alongside her love of horses. Her work combines technical skill with an unmistakable understanding of the horse–human connection. Connect with Lori: Website: lorimcintoshphotography.com Facebook: facebook.com/LoriMcIntoshPhotography Pinterest: pinterest.com/lorimc26 Email: Lori@Lorimcphoto.com SUBSCRIBE Ready to deepen your own artistic voice? Follow the podcast and explore related episodes below. We invite you to subscribe on iTunes so you never miss a new episode of the Equine Photographers Podcast. Subscribing, rating, and leaving a review helps other photographers discover the show and supports the continued growth of the podcast. If you found this episode valuable, we’d appreciate you taking a moment to leave a rating or review. Subscribe on iTunes → The post 25: Lori McIntosh: Equine Photography Journey from Childhood Passion appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

    45 min

  6. 02/11/2017

    Turning Horse Life & Teaching into a Sustainable Photography Practice — with Pam Gabriel

    From Horse Passion to Photography: Exploring Pam Gabriel’s Creative Journey In this episode, Pam Gabriel shares how a lifelong love of horses turned into a path of wrangling, teaching, and building an equine photography practice rooted in creativity, connection, and community. SUBSCRIBE IN THIS EPISODE: In this conversation with Pam Gabriel, we explore how a love of horses shaped her life and creative pursuits — from wrangling and teaching to discovering the power of photography to connect with equine lovers. Pam reflects on her early experiences with horses, how photography found its way into her work, the joy of capturing horses and their people, and how she continues to grow her craft while supporting her community. Whether you’re an aspiring equine photographer or someone building your own creative path from lifelong passions, this episode reveals how heart, experience, and dedication can guide your career.     KEY TAKE AWAYS How horses have influenced Pam’s life choices from childhood onward Why she pursued both teaching and photography How she uses equine photography to connect with community Creative lessons that shaped her photographic eye Seasonal marketing strategies for slow months About Our Guest: Pam Gabriel Pam Gabriel is a lifelong horse lover, teacher, and equine photographer based in Minnesota. With a passion for keeping horses at the center of her life, Pam has blended her teaching, wrangling, and artistic instincts into a creative path that celebrates the equine bond and community. Her photography captures the spirit of horses and the people who love them, reflecting both her technical skill and her deep connection to the equine world. Connect with Pam: Website: pamgabrielphotography.com Facebook Page: Pam Gabriel Photography Instagram: Pam Gabriel Photography Email: pam@pamgabrielphotography.com  SUBSCRIBE Ready to deepen your own artistic voice? Follow the podcast and explore related episodes below. We invite you to subscribe on iTunes so you never miss a new episode of the Equine Photographers Podcast. Subscribing, rating, and leaving a review helps other photographers discover the show and supports the continued growth of the podcast. If you found this episode valuable, we’d appreciate you taking a moment to leave a rating or review. Subscribe on iTunes → The post 24 : Equine Life, Photography & Teaching with Pam Gabriel appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

    31 min

  7. 07/27/2016

    How to Excel in Rodeo & Sports Photography as an Equine Photographer — with Matt Cohen

    Thanks Kirstie Marie for a great introduction for Matt Cohen. Matt Cohen Rodeo Photography Website: http://www.mattcohenphoto.com Blog: http://www.mattcohenphoto.com/blog/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/1115/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattcohenphoto Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcohenphoto/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmatthewcohen Cody Snow, Red Bluff 2016 SHOW NOTES: Matt describes himself as a city boy. He didn’t really have any exposure to horses at all until he was sent by a local paper to cover a rodeo for one evening. He started his career as a photographer shooting high school sports for several local papers. On that first night at the rodeo, he decided to come back for all three days of the event and was hooked. With high school sports you are just shooting one thing. For example with football, you have about 10 minutes of shooting time spread out over an hour. But, with rodeo you have constant action and there are 4-5 completely different events to shoot. Each event although it involves horses is completely different from the other. This is how Matt describes what intrigued him with rodeo shooting. Bobby Marriott / 926 Sundown of Flying U, Reno 2016 The other thing that makes it a whole lot more fun is that you can get right in there. Between events you can chat with the riders and you have access. With other professional sports you are nowhere near the participants. Even when you are on the side lines, you are 10 to 20 feet from the players. You certainly are not allowed on the field. Everything has horses. Even with the bull riding there are the pick up riders that go in to rope the bulls and get them back in the pens. Social media Matt is on pretty much everything. When he started, he just figured he would put the best pictures out there and figure out how to make some money with it. Facebook seemed to be the key to that as riders were tagged, then their sponsors would see the images and I would make connections with them for additional work. He has 56,000 followers on Instagram, but it does not lead to a lot of business for him. He tends to spend more time on Instagram because he likes the format better. You see more images on Instagram and less “other stuff”. But, Facebook has been the social media that has performed in terms of helping him make the connections. Making money in Rodeo Photography He does not use the old model of shooting with the hopes of the riders wanting images of their rides. He works directly with the rider sponsors and only does a very little bit of selling to riders. Sponsors are looking for outstanding images for promotional purposes. Autograph prints, trailer wraps, bill boards, and other promotional materials. He does nothing on spec. He won’t travel great distances to a rodeo unless he knows that he has several sponsored riders at that event and the pictures are already spoken for. He questions whether the old model is very workable any more. The better riders have been there and done that already and they don’t buy 8 x 10s. It took him a long time to get to where he is today. As editorial diminished, he moved more and more of his business to commercial. It used to be that Sport Illustrated, a cover for example or a two page spread, was a real payday. Now instead of a couple thousand dollars, you are looking at a couple hundred bucks. Now they have laid off all their photographers and they get whatever pictures they can find. Matt said he has seen covers that were out of focus. It’s sad, he said, when he first started there was more in editorial. Blake Hirdes, Marysville 2016 Why a great shot is important Matt explains that in editorial, you are a cost to them. They look for the cheapest solution to their need that they can find. Advertisers, however, need the best possible images and are willing to pay to get those. Getting as close to the end-user, the people who are selling products, is where the you can make a living. JR Vezain / 631 Lil Josey of Flying U, Reno 2016 A sponsor might have 15 guys that ride for them. Another might have three. Each contract is tailored to their needs. He is basically on a retainer with these sponsors and this is what funds his income, his travels, his equipment, hotels and so on. NO FREE PICTURES warning on his website Before someone can click on the contact photographer form, they have to agree that they are NOT GOING TO CALL FOR A FREE IMAGE. This is a waste of time and spending 20 minutes explaining that he is a professional photographer and he gets paid for his work. If someone still calls him and asks for FREE IMAGES for their small publication or whatever they want it for, Matt will tweet out that such and such publication asked for free image and embarrass them. He has a bit of a reputation. He explains that getting a tag line for free images does nothing for you as a photographer. Negotiating from FREE is very difficult to do. Sarah Rose McDonald, Clovis 2016 He shoots rodeo March through September. In the winter he shoots other sports. He spends more time working on his rodeo image sales than he does on the other sports. There is much more action to shoot in rodeo so he spends more time on the images as well. Big Lens Fast Shutter Podcast Him and a partner help people learn sports photography. He has been working on that for about 5 years. He enjoys helping others to improve their work which is gratifying and there is some income stream from it. SUBSCRIBE, Rate and Review: The Equine Photographers Podcast We also encourage your to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes so you never miss an episode. This is also where you can leave a RATING or COMMENT about the episode or the podcast. More comments and ratings helps others find our podcast on iTunes. If you enjoyed the podcast consider leaving a rating and review: Subscribe on iTunes Click HERE Also, please use the SHARE buttons at the bottom of the page to share The Equine Photographers Podcast with other equine photographers that you may know. The post 23 : Matt Cohen: West Coast Rodeo and Sports Photography Behind the Scenes appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

    39 min

  8. 06/15/2016

    Growing Your Editorial & Stock Equine Photography Business — with Shawn Hamilton

    In a changing market with changes in photography and changes in the economy their have been publications that have ceased to exist and others have cut back on photography budgets. Stock photography has also changed over the years. Throughout all this change, Shawn Hamilton has been able to run a successful editorial, commercial and stock photography business focused exclusively on equine photography. My wife an I have been to the Rolex Three Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Kentucky for the cross-country jumping portion of the event many times over the past many years. One year I had the pleasure of introducing myself to Shawn as she photographed at the water jumps. She had a very large lens which I think was a 300mm prime lens. I’m not sure where this picture  (below) was taken, but this is pretty much how I remember her on that day 4 or 5 years ago. For me it is just a 2 hour drive from Dayton, Ohio, however Shawn comes from Canada to shoot the event each year rain or shine. But, as the interview progresses, you’ll hear from Shawn how she morphs her business to meet the needs of the day and now may also create some offerings that give her a chance to “give back”. Website: http://clixphoto.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CLiXphotocom Email: clixphoto7@gmail.com        SHOW NOTES: As with every episode we start out talking about the origins of interest in both photography and especially horses. She got her first 35mm camera from a rich ante when she was about 10 years old. She started riding lessons when her mom traded fabric for riding lessons. She started her business in the mid 80s. She picked up The Photographers Market and entered all the magazines she had an interest in into a data base. She was working with a data base management company at the time. After a pregnancy leave of several months when she came back to work she realized that she wanted to go full-time with photography, so she quite her job and dove in. It took about a year of shooting horse shows and three-day events before she would say that she was actually making money as a business. She started out as a show photographer. In order to make it as an editorial and commercial equine photographer in Canada, you must have clients in the USA. With the down turn in the economy she went back to school to learn more about writing and she has refocused on travel photography and writing, but still focused on equine vacation opportunities. National Geographic Traveller Magazine UK version Her recent accolade was her photography in National Geographic Traveller Magazine UK version. Shawn had taken a 7 day trip crossing the Andes Mountains from Chile to Argentina. A National Geographic writer had taken the same trip, but the photographer she had did not work out for whatever reason and they were able to use Shawn’s photography instead. It’s been in the works for some time and was just published recently. She is still looking for a copy of the magazine. 30 years photographing the Rolex Three Day Event She has only missed two over those thirty years. Once because she was pregnant and another because she was living overseas. It used to be as an assignment photographer for several publications, but now she does the photography there for stock. She still shoots for several clients, but not like she used to. There are so many photographers at the event these days so the competition and the availability of good images is much greater. In any case Canada is still gray from winter and coming down to the Rolex where it is already spring, inspires her and gets her stock photography Fine Art Equine Photography Fine art is something that she has been working on for a year or so. We discussed pricing a little bit. How to Photograph Your Horse She was invited to do a presentation at an event. She presented about how to photography your horse. Afterwards, she had people coming up to her booth with lots of questions and asking if she would do a workshop. She scheduled a teaching workshop about how to photograph three day events. That is happening in mid June 2016. She is ready to give back and feels that this will be a great opportunity to do so. A Book About Horse Back Riding Vacations If she writes a book, the name will be “From the Saddle” because she does a lot of her travel photography from the saddle of the horse. We discuss how to have cameras while riding a horse. She has Lowe Pro bags and belt attachments for the cameras and lenses. The HOW-to of Editorial and stock photography Find magazines that resonate with you as a photographer. Send emails to the photo editors or call them on the phone to get an idea of what new types of work they are looking for. Go to the media center of the events. Don’t be afraid of the phone. Don’t be afraid to talk at the events with publications and show them some of what you have. She works with “want lists” and sends out emails with links to her images. She discusses where her income comes from today. It comes from stock, editorial, fine art, travel photography, and now perhaps workshops. The below photo is from her website and the list goes on and on. SUBSCRIBE, Rate and Review: The Equine Photographers Podcast We also encourage your to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes so you never miss an episode. This is also where you can leave a RATING or COMMENT about the episode or the podcast. More comments and ratings helps others find our podcast on iTunes. If you enjoyed the podcast consider leaving a rating and review: Subscribe on iTunes Click HERE Also, please use the SHARE buttons at the bottom of the page to share The Equine Photographers Podcast with other equine photographers that you may know.   The post 22 : Shawn Hamilton: Editorial and Stock Equine Photography Behind the Work appeared first on Equine Photographers Podcast.

    30 min
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About

Learn how today’s professional equine photographers got to where they are and how their niche’ works

Information

  • Creator
    Suzanne Sylvester - Interviews with equine photographers and other industry professionals to discover their love for horses and how they use their cameras to show the beauty of the horse and to make a living in the niche' of equine photography.
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Equine Photographers Podcast
  • Show Website
    Equine Photographers Podcast

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