Equine Photographers Podcast
Learn how today’s professional equine photographers got to where they are and how their niche works. Host Suzanne Sylvester interviews 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.
Episodes
52: Field Notes – Who Made That Rule?
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Introduction
Photography has a lot of rules.
Professional photographers always do this. Professional photographers never do that. You have to use this lens. You should never sell digital files. You have to shoot manual. You can’t crop a horse that way. You should never discount. You h
50: Field Notes – Your Price Has Nothing to Do With Your Worth
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Introduction
“Charge what you’re worth.”
It is one of the most common pieces of advice photographers give each other when the subject of pricing comes up. It sounds supportive and empowering, but it also takes something that should be a business decision and makes it deeply personal.
Your w
49: Field Notes – What Job Is the Photograph Supposed to Do?
Not every photograph has the same job. Explore how art, documentation, marketing and commercial photography require different approaches.
48: 10 Years Later with Phyllis Burchett
Equine photographer Phyllis Burchett returns 10 years later to discuss photography, business, change, career longevity, and finding where you fit.
47: Field Notes – When We Ask the Wrong Person
Official photographers often take the blame for horse show photography policies they didn’t create. Here’s why we may be asking the wrong person.
46: Field Notes – Not Every Horse Show Is Your Client
Not every Official Photographer contract is worth taking. Learn how choosing the right horse shows can build a stronger, more profitable photography business.
45: Field Notes – Luck Is Not A Business Strategy
Hope is part of every business owner's journey, but hope alone has never built a sustainable business. In this Field Notes episode, I explore why intentional decisions—not waiting for the perfect opportunity—shape the careers that stand the test of time.
44: Field Notes – Photography Business Mistakes
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Introduction
When photographers talk about mistakes, the conversation almost always turns to technical problems. We talk about missed focus, poor lighting, bad timing, or equipment failures because those are the mistakes we can see immediately.
Looking back over more than twenty years in bu
43: 10 Years Later: Shelley Paulson
Ten years after her first appearance on the Equine Photographers Podcast, Shelley Paulson returns to reflect on the evolution of her business, changing priorities, and the lessons that come with experience.
42: Field Notes – What Clients Are Actually Paying For
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.
41: Field Notes – The Throughput Problem
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.
40: 10 Years Later: Carien Schippers
Carien Schippers joins the 10 Years Later series to discuss a decade of change, business evolution, industry shifts, and lessons learned along the way.
39: Field Notes – The Backup Gear Myth
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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 t
38: Field Notes – Where People Think the Standard Lives (Part 7)
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, Su
37: Field Notes – Photographers vs Designers: Where the Line is Actually Drawn (Part 6)
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 bein
36: Field Notes – The Pricing Problem: Why So Many Equine Photographers Struggle to Make a Living (Part 5)
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
35: Field Notes – From Film to Digital to AI: We’ve Seen This Before (Part 4)
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 conversati
34: Field Notes – Stallion & Sale Ads: Why “Pretty” Isn’t the Same as Effective (Part 3)
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 layout
33: Field Notes – Photoshop vs AI: Where the Line is in Equine Photography (Part 2)
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 cle
32: Field Notes – The Changing Standard: How Technology is Reshaping Equine Photography, Design and Marketing (Part 1)
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 t
31: Field Notes – Who Owns Photo Rights Photographer vs Client vs Social Manager
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 full
30: Field Notes – Can Social Media Managers Use Client Photos? Photo Rights Explained
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
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
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.
B
27: Field Notes — The Ethics of Photographing Horse Shows: Can You Just Show Up With a Camera?
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
26: Fine Art Equine Photography & Wild Horse Conservation With Carol Walker
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.
25: Lori McIntosh: Equine Photography Journey from Childhood Passion
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 ridin
24 : Equine Life, Photography & Teaching 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.
23 : Matt Cohen: West Coast Rodeo and Sports Photography Behind the Scenes
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:
22 : Shawn Hamilton: Editorial and Stock Equine Photography Behind the Work
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
21 : Christina Scalera: Legal Essentials Every Equine Photographer Should Know
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
20 : Andrew & Stacy Ryback: Hunter/Jumper Show Photography and Portraits Behind the Brand
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 t
19 : Jon McCarthy — Saddle Horse Show Photography & Learning From the Best
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
18 : Kirstie Marie — The Concept of Beta and Outsourcing
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
16 : Tony Stromberg: Spirit Horses, Visual Storytelling, and Building an 800,000-Follower Facebook Audience
Where did Tony Stromberg come from to get to where he is now? This is from the About Tony on his website and I would encourage you to go over and read more as this is only the first couple of paragraphs describing his journey.
After successfully spending over 20 years as a high-end advertising photographer in San Francisco, I found myself disenchanted, burned out, and ultimately receiving no nouri
15 : Judy Bosco: Balancing Equine Photography, Business, and Life Behind the Lens
Judy Bosco has been an equine photographer for a long time, however she has stayed part-time balancing a full-time job, family, husband and recently other life challenges to continue to pursue her love for photography and horses. Listen and hear about her story on The Equine Photographers Podcast.
SHOW NOTES
Judy’s website: http://www.judybosco.smugmug.com
Judy’s Facebook page: https:/
14 : Lynne Glazer: Endurance Ride Photography and Storytelling Beyond the Finish Line
Lynne is a California-based equine sport, ranch, portrait, pets and livestock photographer for both personal and commercial clients.
Lynne is pictured third from the left in the above image.
SHOW NOTES
Website: http://www.photo.lynnesite.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynne-Glazer-Imagery/42216687604
I’ve known Lynne for many years. She is a talented and very technically
13 : Richard Horst: Building a Multi-Genre Photography Career Across Nature, Horses, and Landscape
Richard Horst is a nature and equine photographer who manages a ranch where ranches are described in hundreds of acres and he has consciously chosen to bring his family and live where the pace of life is different and the love of horses and nature can be expressed in his heart and through photography which he can share with everyone.
SHOW NOTES
Website: http://www.richardhorstphotography.com
Faceb
12 : Terri Cage: Equine Portraiture and Visual Storytelling in Texas Horse Country
Terri Cage is a portrait and equine photographer specializing in senior portraits, show promotion photography, and farm family portraits with animals. Please join us to listen as she explains her business and her life with horses.
SHOW NOTES
Website: http://www.terricage-photography.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TerriCagePhotography/
Horse crazy kid at 10 years old for my first hor
11 : Scott Trees: Lessons From a Long-Term Career in Equine Photography
Scott is one of those fortunate people who has done something they love their entire working career and that is be a photographer. Horses have been the primary subject of his efforts, and he has been able to travel the world capturing their beauty and essence. His style embodies an artists understanding of light and a tactile emotional portrayal of his subjects.
While horses have been the primar
10 : Anette Augestad: Building an Equine Photography Career in Norway
I ran across Anette in the Facebook Group called “Horse Photo Critique”
The group is for people wanting to improve their equine images, not a place to share the latest snapshot of your horse. Some people get it, but sometimes people put up images of their horse snapped on a cell phone and become upset when someone explains how the images could be improved. They will say, “why, it
9: Tracey Elliot Reep: Equine Adventure Photography and Storytelling on the Move
Tracey Elliot-Reep has a truly unique and amazing business model that proves you can create a business that fits your spirit and personality in the equine world. How would you like to live on the edge of a reserve with wild ponies that everyone adores, then take equine trail treks across mountain trails for hundreds of miles in Spain or the Netherlands? How about riding horseback from Mexico to Ca
8 : Phyllis Burchett — Fine Art Equine Portraits and Nature Photography
Phyllis has been part owner and manager of Burchett Training Center for over 30 years so it was only natural for her to turn to equine photography. Her knowledge of horses helps her to fulfill her creative vision for the Equine Form as art. Her passion for beautiful light and candid moments inspires and fuels her to make images that make the viewer want to come along on her journey. Join us now a
7 : Ron McGinnis — Rodeo and Western Lifestyle Photography
When I saw his website and looked around it was reminiscent of the Norman Rockwell covers on the Saturday Evening Post. In our interview we discussed these images and more to discover how an old-time cowboy moved from large format cameras to digital and continues to come up with new ways to grow his business with outstanding personalized service and top quality output for his clients.
From RonR
6 : Charles Hilton — Seeing the Light and Honing Your Craft
Charles Hilton and I got to know each other when he was still in Equine Photographers Network and the world was changing to digital cameras. He dove right in and went digital and started learning Photoshop to enhance his beautiful images of people and horses.
Always improving his photography and business practices
As I mentioned on Facebook, every time that I see an image that Charles shares on h
5 : Carol Walker: Wild Horse Photography, Fine Art, and Building an Online Market
Living Images Horse Photography by Carol Walker – Equine Photographer
Portraits of Horses and their people, Farm Calls, Horse Stock Images, Fine Art Horse Prints and Commercial Equine Photography.
In 2000, Carol Walker started her business Living Images by Carol Walker, specializing in horse photography. Carol’s images illuminate the relationship between horses and their people as we
4 : Shelley Paulson: Developing Personal Style and Vision in Equine Photography
In today’s podcast we explore the work of Shelley Paulson and discuss her new website focused only on equine photography. We find out the reasons for the change and the results that are coming. Many know Shelley’s outstanding photography and her love of horses. She knows how to run her business well and recently moved to a farm where she could wake up in the morning and talk to her hor
3 : Sophie Callahan: Blogging as a Tool for Building Connection and Audience Trust
My name is Sophie. I’m an equine photographer, a horse addict and a story-teller and I’m incredibly lucky to be able to tell the stories of horses owners throughout the UK and call it a job. I’m 27, based in Chelmsford, in Essex and travel all over, photographing horses and their humans. Join us to as we talk with Sophie about her work and her blogging which generates lots of engagement and a cons
1: Community and Connection in Equine Photography with Carien Schippers
An Interview with Equine Photographer Carien Schippers
Carien Schippers has been photographing professionally since 1976. She has an AAS degree from SUNY Cobleskill in Animal Husbandry and a two-year certificate from the New England School of Photography. For many years she was primarily an event and farm p
