Horse & Rider Photoshoot | Rileigh & Company
Horse & Rider Photoshoot | Rileigh & Company
Blackstone Equestrian Center in White Lake, MI
When you’re as involved with horses as I am, you’ll notice that horse lovers are constantly weaving threads throughout the complicated tapestry that is the equestrian community—and it’s not unusual for those threads to find their way back to us. That’s why I am very excited to share with you a photoshoot that is personal to me in many ways.
It is not often that I get to photograph an old equestrian companion, but a recent session had me reunited with Nola, a sweet and beautiful American Paint Horse I once called my own. Nola’s connection with her new owner Rileigh was such a special thing for me to witness, and really, it is just a small part of Rileigh’s story. Our encounter allowed me to see the world through a familiar lens—the enduring companionship and unrivaled bond between a girl and her horses.
Rileigh’s profound relationship with each one of her horses was the inspiration behind our shoot, and in taking their pictures I quickly realized I was documenting an extraordinary partnership, one built on mutual trust and unconditional love. Her horses Misty, a 3-year-old AQHA sorrel mare, and Tequila, a 2-year-old AQHA palomino, were both quick to respond and eager to please, awaiting Rileigh’s cues with trust and patience.
But it was Nola who especially had my interest, and having been Nola’s previous owner though, I don’t think anyone could blame me for that. Each new picture reminded me of my own journey with Nola, unearthing memories I hadn’t revisited in a while. Getting to take pictures of Nola with her owner—someone she so clearly adores—was such a beautiful blend of the past and the present. Each new picture is a testament to the love that Nola has not only received but reciprocated.
A photoshoot with three horses is not the easiest of tasks, but fortunately my husband Chris was on the scene to help, and Rileigh’s grandpa was there, too. And the beautiful Blackstone Equestrian center in White Lake, Michigan was a calming and lovely spot for our pictures to take place. You can really see how at ease everyone is, and Rileigh looked beautiful in the ensuing shots. I was also able to take some fine art photographs of the horses.
When I take photographs of riders and their horses, I know instinctively that each horse has a story, and sometimes, I’m not entirely familiar with the complexities of its entire journey. But just being a part of Nola’s past—and getting a glimpse of her present—was an enriching and emotional experience that made this photoshoot incredibly special and equally rewarding. I’ll cherish these photos as much as I hope Rileigh does, and I’ll be waiting to welcome the day when our paths all cross again.
