There's a myth in pet and equine photography: that a "real" portrait requires a picture-perfect barn, a sweeping mountain vista, or a styled studio setup.
But let's be honest: do you really think your horse or beloved dog is standing there thinking, I wish we had a better backdrop?
Of course not. They just want to be wherever you are.
What I'm Really Photographing
Scenery doesn't make a story.
Ten or twenty years from now, you won't be studying the fence line. You'll be remembering the soft look in her eye when you told her how much you love her, the way he looks at you instead of the camera, and that goofy, perfectly-them expression nobody else would recognize.
That's what I photograph: the relationship. It exists wherever the two of you are together, and it doesn't need a prettier location to be worth celebrating.
Animals are honest.
A dog who is nervous in a new spot will show it.
A horse who is tense in an unfamiliar place won't give you the calm eye and relaxed posture that make a portrait feel true.
When they're in a place they know by heart, everything changes.
Ears relax, and a deep breath or a sigh tells you they've settled. Your shoulders drop, and the laughter, the nuzzles, and the tender moments happen on their own.
That's why I focus on photographing you somewhere you feel at ease.
The energy you give off is felt by your horses and dogs.
Ordinary places have the real moments
The neighborhood park.
The backyard.
Open space with trees for shade.
The place a horse calls home.
The old side of the barn.
The hay shed.
The dirt road or farm lane.
I see the light filtering softly through the trees.
I see a great place for black background images.
I see a rustic background that goes well with your western lifestyle.
I see a road leading to the store you share together.
These are the things that help make your images personal of you and your relationship.
My goal when I arrive is to photograph you in a place that feels like home.
What does West Texas have that other places don't?
Well.. On the days that the dirt blows (yes we complain about it), a lot of times the dust particles provide beautiful sunsets in our wide open spaces.
Cotton and wheat fields that change with the seasons. Dramatic clouds, and sometimes even storm-lit skies in spring and summer.
Caliche roads and rusty windmills.
My late Dad used to say, there's just nothing like a West Texas Sunset, and I've definitely seen such beauty in the skies we have here.
For beautiful and unique portraits to you, all we need is a bit of time, some space, inspiration, and you with your animals that are part of your family.
Don't wait for Perfect
Don't wait for the perfect day, the perfect landscape, or the perfect anything. The truth is that the relationship you have with your dogs and horses is the most important thing to focus on.
There's one thing I always emphasize when I talk with clients about portraits of their animals: our furry family members just never live long enough. Don't they deserve a spot in your home and on your walls, so you can enjoy the memories you made together?
If you're in the West Texas region and you're thinking about a fall or winter session with your dog or horse, now is the perfect time. The hot weather is behind us, there are fewer flies, and the golden light seems extra special. These are some of my favorite times to photograph.
Where do you want your story told?
