Josie | Senior Portraits with her horse | West Bend, WI
Senior Portraits with horses
Fluttershy Stables West Bend, WI
As I drove towards the Fluttershy Stables in West Bend, Wisconsin on a particularly hot day this summer, I couldn’t help but feel excited. In addition to getting to spend an entire afternoon surrounded by horses—which is already a dream come true—I was really looking forward to better getting to know the star of the session. At the time of her photoshoot, Josie was a high school senior looking to get some beautiful pictures alongside her horse. And as I pulled up to the Fluttershy Stables, I knew there couldn’t possibly be a better spot.
The equestrian center had sloping green lawns, and natural wood fences. Look in any direction and you are met with a storybook sight—riders exploring a trail while expertly directing their horses, inexperienced students gradually gaining confidence at the tutelage of their instructors, and stunning horses of all breeds and temperaments enjoying the clear day. With Fluttershy Stables as a backdrop, I knew we were already headed for success when it came to getting Josie her dream senior pictures.
Josie’s horse is an Off-Track Thoroughbred (OTTB), and this a breed that I personally find fascinating. I’ve talked a bit before about what it means to be an OTTB, but in case you don’t remember or are unfamiliar with the term, an OTTB is a horse that was bred and trained to be a racehorse but is no longer actively racing. This could be for a variety of reasons, such as injury or an unwilling disposition. So many of these horses go on to have successful and satisfying lives after their time racing, and Josie’s horse is no different. Like many OTTBs, he has gone on to be quite accomplished as a hunter/jumper.
Josie was charming, soft-spoken, and a bit shy in front of the camera, but she did absolutely amazing and is simply just stunning. I think having her horse alongside her helped calm any lingering nerves, and it was evident that the two of them share a deep and trusting bond. Josie’s mom also joined us for the session, and it was helpful to have her along for the journey as she helped Josie to feel more comfortable. But by the end of our time together, I felt as though I’d known Josie and her mom for much longer than just the day—and I would love the opportunity to photograph Josie and her horse again to celebrate one of the many accomplishments I am confident she will no doubt achieve.
It can feel unnatural and even a bit nerve-wracking to have your pictures taken, but I want you to know that I’m dedicated to curating a session that will keep you feeling confident and comfortable. Your time in front of the camera can take place somewhere familiar, like a family farm or the local equestrian center. I also encourage you to bring along friends and family—that behind-the-scenes encouragement can mean everything! No matter what, I’m here for you to have the best experience possible, because getting your photos taken shouldn’t be stressful—they should be fun!
