A photo taken with a horse stands out from everything else in the album. The horse’s stance, its mane and the landscape behind it tell a story on their own. But standing next to a horse is not enough for a great shot. Light, backdrop and the horse’s mood in that moment make a photo either very good or very ordinary.
In this guide we have gathered tips that will help you take photos at a horse farm. The same rules apply whether you come with a professional photographer or shoot on your phone.
When the light is best
In photography, light comes before everything. For shoots with horses, two times of day stand out.
Sunset. As the sun gets lower, the light becomes warmer and softer. The horse’s coat shines and there are no harsh shadows on faces. Light from behind paints the edges of the horse and the rider gold. This is the favourite hour for couple shoots.
Early morning. The light is soft here too, but with a cooler, cleaner tone. In the forest, morning light filters through the trees and draws lovely lines. The farm is usually quieter as well.
At midday the sun is overhead, so shadows are short and harsh and people squint. If you have no other option, choose a shaded spot or shoot under the trees.
It is also a good idea to check the Turkish State Meteorological Service forecast for Istanbul before the day of your shoot. A cloudy sky can change a sunset plan.
Choosing a backdrop
The north of Sarıyer is a rich area for photos. At the farm you will find three different backdrops.
The beach
Sea and sand make the best known horse photo. The horizon gives a simple backdrop, so all the attention stays on the horse and on you. A beach shoot at sunset is the picture most people have in mind. If you are curious about the route, see our horse riding on the beach page. We describe the ride down to the sand and how to reach the farm in our guide to horse riding near Kilyos and Zekeriyaköy.
The forest
Trees add depth and a natural frame to the shot. A horse walking along a trail looks very natural when photographed from behind or from the side. The greens of the forest contrast nicely with light coloured clothes. Route details are on our horse riding in Belgrade Forest (Belgrad Ormanı) page.
The arena
The arena is a fenced practice area. It is the easiest place to shoot with children and with anyone meeting a horse for the first time. Because the setting is controlled, it is easier to pose close to the horse. The fences and the stable in the background give a rural feel too.
Posing safely next to a horse
However good the photo, safety comes first. A horse is a large animal that startles easily. Everyone needs to follow these rules.
- Do not walk behind the horse. A horse cannot see behind itself and may kick if startled. If you need to walk around it, go in front, the way the guide shows you.
- Move calmly. Sudden arm movements, running and shouting make a horse nervous. Approach with slow, gentle movements.
- Do not use flash. A sudden burst of light can startle the horse. Turn the flash off on both phones and cameras.
- Leave the horse to the guide. The guide holds the horse’s head and the pose is set around that. Do not try to lead the horse somewhere on your own.
- Watch the horse’s mood. If its ears are pinned back or it seems restless, take a break from shooting. A photo taken with a calm horse looks better anyway.
The best poses are often the simplest ones. Touching the horse’s neck, walking beside it, looking at it and smiling. Leaving a little space between the horse’s head and your face is safer and also looks more balanced in the photo.
Outfit colours
Your clothes set the tone of the photo. Here are a few simple suggestions.
- Cream, white, beige and light earth tones look soft in both the forest and on the beach.
- Next to a dark horse, light clothes stand out. Next to a light coloured horse, earth tones and dark green work well.
- Bright neon colours and big logos distract the eye.
- For couple shoots, choose colours that complement each other without matching exactly.
If you are going to pose on horseback, comfortable trousers and closed, flat soled shoes are a must. Long skirts and dangling accessories make riding harder and can bother the horse. There is more detail in our guide on what to wear horse riding.
Couple and engagement shoots
Horse photoshoots are more and more popular for engagement photos, marriage proposals and anniversaries. A couple walking hand in hand on the beach at sunset or along a forest trail, with a horse beside them, makes for beautiful shots.
A few suggestions.
- Start the shoot about an hour before sunset, so you catch different shots as the light changes.
- Shots where one person is on the horse and the other walks alongside look natural.
- If you are planning a proposal, position the person taking the photos in advance so you do not miss the moment.
We organise photoshoots and marriage proposals at the horse farm for special days like these. Tell us what you have in mind on WhatsApp and we will prepare an offer for you. If you want to come with a professional photographer, mention that when you write too.
Photos with children
The moment a child first touches a horse is one of the sweetest shots you can take. The arena is the best place for it.
- Do not push a child to pose before they are ready. Let them get used to the horse first, the photo comes after.
- Get down to the child’s eye level rather than shooting from above.
- When a child is on the horse, the instructor is always beside them, so frame the shot with that in mind.
We describe step by step how a child’s first day on a horse goes in our guide to horse riding for kids.
Tips for shooting on a phone
You can take great photos without professional equipment.
- Keep the light behind you, or use side light. If you shoot into the sun, faces go dark.
- Get down to eye level. Shooting the horse from slightly below makes it look more majestic.
- Use burst mode. A horse is always moving, and the best shot often comes out of a burst.
- Try portrait mode, but switch back to normal mode if the horse’s ears and legs start to blur.
- Keep the horizon straight. On beach shots especially, a tilted horizon catches the eye at once.
- Turn the flash off. We wanted to say it one more time.
Planning the shoot
Before you come for a photoshoot, think about which route and which time of day you want. The beach suits sunset, while the forest and the arena suit the morning. Ride options are on our horse riding tours in Sarıyer page, and the location and directions are on our contact page. If you are not sure which route suits you, start with our guide to horse riding in Istanbul.
To book, write to us on WhatsApp or through the form on the site, or call +90 546 414 00 89. If you are planning a special day, you can send your event request the same way.