Equine Photographers Podcast

Most photographers believe clients are paying for the finished images, but that's only part of the story. In this episode, we explore why trust, consistency, communication, and professionalism often have a greater influence on pricing than the photographs themselves—and how understanding that can transform your business.

Most photographers think they have a speed problem. They don't—they have a throughput problem. Learn how better systems and workflows create a more profitable photography business.

Carien Schippers joins the 10 Years Later series to discuss a decade of change, business evolution, industry shifts, and lessons learned along the way.

SUBSCRIBE INTRO Backup gear is one of those topics that almost always turns into a discussion about equipment. How many camera bodies do you own? How many lenses? How many memory cards? Do professionals really need backups for everything? But the longer you’re in business, the more you realize that backup gear isn’t really about gear at all. It’s about preparation. In this episod...

INTRO Most people think standards live in equipment, software, or technology. They assume the quality of an industry rises or falls based on the tools being used. But standards don’t come from cameras, editing programs, or AI. They come from the work people see repeatedly over time. In this episode, Suzanne Sylvester explores where professional standards actually originate, how they quietly...

INTRO The line between photographers and designers has been shifting for years. Photographers are creating ads. Designers are picking up cameras. And in many cases, people are doing both. On the surface, that looks like a natural evolution. But underneath it, there’s a growing gap in how those roles are being understood. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS how and why the line between photography and design...

INTRO Pricing is one of the most consistent conversations in equine photography—and one of the most misunderstood. It’s often reduced to undercutting or people charging too little. But the reality is more complex than that. This episode looks at why pricing continues to be a problem in the industry, and why it’s tied to larger structural shifts rather than individual decisions. WHAT THIS EPISODE C...

 EPISODE SUMMARY The current conversation around AI feels new—but the pattern isn’t. In this Field Notes episode, we look at how the shift from film to digital mirrors what’s happening now with AI, and how increased access has changed both the industry and the people working in it. SHOW NOTES The conversation around AI in photography is being treated like something completely new. But it isn’t. Th...

Field Notes | Equine Photographers Podcast  EPISODE SUMMARY A good-looking ad and an effective ad are not the same thing. In the equine industry, especially in stallion and sale horse marketing, there’s a lot of emphasis placed on how something looks. Clean design, polished images, visually appealing layouts. But none of that matters if the ad doesn’t actually communicate the horse. In this Field...

Field Notes | Equine Photographers Podcast EPISODE SUMMARY Editing has always been part of professional photography, especially in equine work where environments are often unpredictable. But as AI tools become more common, the line between refining an image and altering the horse itself is becoming less clear. In this Field Notes episode, I break down the difference between traditional editing too...

Field Notes | Equine Photographers Podcast EPISODE SUMMARY The equine photography industry is changing—but not in the way most people think. A lot of the current conversation is focused on AI. But this shift didn’t start with AI, and it won’t end there. It’s part of a pattern the industry has already gone through before. In this Field Notes episode, we step back and look at what’s actually happeni...

Field Notes | Equine Photographers Podcast This episode breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in photography right now: who actually owns a photo—and who has the right to use it. As the demand for content has increased across the equine industry, more people are handling images daily without fully understanding how ownership and licensing work. That misunderstanding is leading to misuse...

Can Social Media Managers Use Client Photos? Episode Summary Can social media managers use client photos? This question is coming up more and more—and it’s where a lot of misunderstanding starts. In this Field Notes episode, we walk through what’s actually happening when images are passed from a client to a third party, and where that use can cross the line. This isn’t about bad intent. In most ca...

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...

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:...

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...

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...

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, Lor...

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 crea...

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 N...

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 photograp...

Where to Find Christina: Instagram: http://instagram.com/christinascalera Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeatlaw Facebook: http://facebook.com/christinascalera Website: http://christinascalera.com Email: hello@christinascalera.com Periscope: @cscalera You can ask Christina questions here:  http://www.christinascalera.com/contact1 Photo by Shelby Rae Photographs Christina is an attorney based in...

One big family It is interesting interviewing show photographers and finding that one thing they love about what they do is getting to know the riders as friends over time. Andrew and Stacy do this to the nth degree and hire people who will continue with their sales philosophy and the feeling of family in their business. It sounds like they have a blast shooting and selling their photography at th...

I contacted Jon because I saw some of his farm call images. As I explored his website, I found out that his main gig is Saddle Horse Shows from all over the country. I’ve been wanting to have some interviews with show photographers, so I was delighted when Jon was willing to come on the podcast and tell us about his history with horses and his equine photography business. What makes a great...

A Texas portrait equine photographer When I was exploring for new people to interview, I came across Kirstie Marie Photography in Texas. I put off calling her because I had just interviewed another photographer from Texas, so I signed up for the Kirstie Marie email list. Once or twice a week I have been getting samples of beautiful horse and rider portrait sessions she is having. The emails are ve...