Twenty-five equine photographers from all over the United States met in Carefree, Arizona for the Equine Photographers Network Conference. The conference held February 12-16 of this year was the first in what is planned to be an annual affair for the Equine Photographers Network, otherwise known as EPNet. On the agenda was an intensive five days of information sharing, brainstorming, education and support for each other's endeavors in the profession of equine photography. The conference featured two hands-on photo-shooting seminars, a photography show and competition, and seminars on the business end of doing equine photography. Round table discussion groups explored a variety of topics such as copyright, digital workflow, Photoshop® techniques, stock and editorial photography.
There was discussion on the benefits and pitfalls of converting to digital photography. The initial investment in professional level equipment and software is quite high and time spent managing and safely archiving the images can be very labor intensive. All that have gone this route so far agreed that they thoroughly enjoy the ability to see the images more quickly and the infinite possibilities in managing and manipulating their work in image software programs such as Adobe® Photoshop®.
Each member brought their own unique approach to equine photography. Many brought a strong influence in technical approach and knowledge about the mechanics of photography in general; others contributed expertise in handling digital image software programs or strong fine art backgrounds. There were long time knowledgeable horse people; "idea people"; and those with strong business and promotion skills. Some have been high on the food chain of equine photography as a business, bringing information on dealing with corporations for publishing in advertising campaigns and books, negotiating image sales, protecting copyrights and managing a successful stock portfolio. All brought a shared passion for creating images capturing the essence of what is the horse. It was amazing to see how many different aspects of equine photography could be brought into one room and melded together in a way that energized and inspired everyone.
The first full day of the conference found attendees photographing "cowboy shootists" and their horses in old west period garb. The ranch where we had been invited to shoot was ripe with beautiful scenes of the Arizona desert. Unfortunately, El Nino took this opportunity to dump a rainstorm on the day, forcing many of the models to grit it out in ponchos with rainwater dripping off the brims of their hats. We were at first disappointed to see the rain, but the locals were so happy to see some relief from drought conditions in the area that we vowed to make the best of the situation. Everyone stayed cheerful and several EPNet members managed to get some very nice images in spite of the weather handicap. I was reluctant to subject my barely out-of-the-box new digital camera to the threat of rain, but I did manage to get a few images. Needless to say, the hardy 3-day event photographers came the best equipped for the weather conditions with ponchos for themselves and specially fitted full rain gear for their cameras.
On the weekend, EPNet member Susan Sexton (widely regarded as one of the most successful and well-known sport horse photographers in the nation) gave a talk about her 25-year career photographing horses. She illustrated her talk with a slide show of several of her images. Many were not horses, but served to show how her interest in photography grew and imparted her own style to the equine images that we see and admire today.
Andrew Buchanan from Seattle presented "The Editorial Photographers Outreach Program" in a four-hour workshop on Saturday. The EP Outreach program grew out of Editorial Photographers, an organization started in 1999 by a small group of professional, working photographers in the San Francisco Bay area for the purpose of sharing information, educating and offering support to photographers. It began as an online forum that is currently over 3,000 members strong, sharing information on such topics as rates, copyright law, and protections for photographers, publishers contracts, software, cost of doing business, assignment work, stock sales, usage, work for hire, licensing agreements, and many more topics affecting the editorial photographer today.
If you are a working editorial photographer, assistant, photo instructor, or photo student, you are invited to join their forum at http://editorialphoto.com/subscriptions/index
One of the important aspects that grew out of the discussions on business practices, licensing usage, and copyrights is the need for photographers to educate their clients about just what they are purchasing. With the stiffer penalties on copyright infringements holding up in court and photographers trying to run their businesses profitably and ethically, it is our duty to educate upfront on what type of usage rights are actually being contracted and paid for.
Saturday brought the unveiling of a large turnout of entries for a photographic print show and competition that was open to the public. Amateur and professional divisions were offered with prizes and ribbons awarded. Our own Northwest area photographer Wendy Ross won Best in Show with her lovely portrait titled "The Old Way", a well composed image depicting draft horses in harness plowing a field.
The final day of the seminar was spent in hands-on photographic workshops at the nearby Red Vista Ranch conducted by two EPNet members. Susan Sexton's session was on Photographing the Sport Horse and Patty McClure-Hosmer presented photographing the Western Halter Horse.
Susan requested that each person bring a photo that they liked, and one that they didn't like. She gave a slide show of many of her own images, ones that she liked and a few that she didn't. Various aspects of the photos were discussed on how to achieve what worked, and avoid what didn't. Susan discussed identifying that perfect moment in the stride, a great expression in the eye, expression in the movement, proper frame in the horse and various ways to flatter a horse's conformation. She pointed out several details relating to composition. After two hours in classroom, we went outside to photograph a rider model in FEI dressage attire, with her horse, a Hanoverian mare in double bridle. Unfortunately, the heavy Arizona showers earlier in the week had saturated the riding ring, so we were limited to standing portraits and trotting the mare in hand, and wasted no time putting the lovely pair to work for us.
Although I specialize in Sport Horse photography, I knew that I would probably learn many useful tips in Patty McClure-Hosmer's seminar on the Western halter horse that I could apply to just about any conformation photography, and I was so right. Although sport horses and western horses are not posed exactly the same, Patty's attention to detail helped to further develop my own eye for obtaining overall balance of the horse through the lens. She pointed out the role that subtle camera angle shifts can play in improving (or distorting) the conformation of each horse. Patty gave us each a booklet she had prepared containing a detailed outline on what could be described as a set of rules or guidelines for each pose and situation. She included the weather and lighting conditions, equipment and settings for each situation, camera angle to horse, accentuating or minimizing each horse's individual conformation pluses and minuses. A myriad of helpful tips was shared to help keep each photo session professional and providing the client with the best results. She illustrated her points by using her own photos as examples. Patty's main focus to impart to us was attention to detail and patience, patience, patience.
After the classroom discussion we went outside and had two Quarter Horse stallions as our models. The horses were reining horses, but they were quite attractive as halter subjects, affable, expertly handled by their trainer with a minimum of fuss.
During each session, Susan and Patty discussed a variety of toys and tricks to get the horse's attention. Both also stressed the importance of a good handler and assistants to stand or get the horse moving correctly to achieve an attractive expression, as well as provide safety for the photographer in the case of at liberty assignments.
The combination of both seminars complemented each other to provide a well-rounded day of learning about capturing the best images possible of our equine subjects and their companions. I came away from these two seminars with an even clearer idea about why and how these two women are so successful at what they do.
After these sessions on Sunday, the conference came to a close. Many new friendships and alliances had been formed. The energy and enthusiasm that had kept us going over several very intensive days left us exhausted as we all parted company and headed back home to process and practice what we had learned.
I came home with a more solid feeling about what I wanted to explore in returning to this profession and how to take the first steps to go about it. I feel much more comfortable in setting out once again knowing that I'm not really alone. Help, ideas or a supportive word is just an email or phone call away. Not a bad feeling in a competitive world, not a bad feeling at all.
If you have an interest in equine photography, either working professional or hobbyist, I invite you to check out the EPNet website at: www.equinephotographers.net or feel free to email me at maryc@europa.com
About EPNet
Established April 8, 2001, the Equine Photographers Network, also known as EPNet, is the brainchild of Carien Schippers of Walton, New York. EPNet is over 155 members strong, all working professional equine photographers from around the world.
Their mission is to encourage professional integrity and career development through education, communication and support among members while promoting members in our market.
EPNet maintains a highly visible presence on the Internet with a website featuring a Directory of Members, which includes industry leaders in various disciplines and types of equine photography. Visitors to the site can view a gallery of their work, links to their websites, a monthly online newsletter and three active email lists.
The first and longest established email list, the Equine Photographers list, has over 500 members subscribed. They range from working pros at all levels to amateur photographers, magazine editors, writers and horse owners, all of whom are interested in improving their equine photography skill and knowledge. The Professional Equine Photographers list has 155 dues paying members and includes some of the top working equine photographers in the world. Several have covered the Olympics and similar prominent international equestrian events. The third list, Digital Equine Photographers, created this past August 2002 has 170 members and is open to anyone interested in digital photography but consists mainly of working pros that have made the switch to digital recently or are considering making the switch in the near future. Most are shooting high end digital Canon and Nikon equipment as well as doing their own digital manipulation via Photoshop and printing using some of the higher end more popular printer brands on the market.