This Month
In the Spotlight
Why I love black-background animal portraits
1. They can be set up almost anywhere
These photos are all about playing with the shadows. No, I don't take a big backdrop with me everywhere I go. Instead, I look for puddles of light. The best place is usually at the mouth of a structure. When natural light is backed by the dim background of a barn, shed, or sometimes even a horse trailer, everything can blend together smoothly while colors pop.
When you set yourself right on the edge of where light starts to fade to shadows, the rest is easy. There's plenty of time to try different poses, fix your hair, and get your horse's ears up! I took this self portrait with tripod-mounted camera and a shutter remote. Once I found the right spot for myself, my horse Dually and I just hung out and cuddled for a bit while I snapped some photos. Dually was of course provided with some grain for his time and cooperation.
2. They show off personality
At first, it honestly kind of surprised me how much personality seemed to come through from these portraits, and how often I heard that from my clients! But time and time again, I leave these sessions with the satisfaction that I've captured a glimpse of that animal's heart.
I think the low-stress environment of these photoshoots really lets pets feel comfortable and allows their personalities to shine. Often, the best place to take these portraits is where animals feel at home-in their own stalls or houses! I love when a doorway can add some artsy flare, like in these portraits of Traveller and his mini-donkey, Blossom!
3. They make for fantastic decor
Portraits can make for exquisitely beautiful wall art, and black-background portraits are a sleek, modern, and dynamic way to give your space a personal touch. I absolutely love printing these portraits on acrylic because the shine off that material really catches the eye. The dark contrast of these images makes them perfect for entryways, offices, and bedrooms. They're also perfect for living spaces that need a focal art piece.
In my kitchen, there is an awkwardly shaped blank space above a stretch of countertop that doubles as a bar. For months, I struggled to decide how to fill it. I needed something unique, personal, beautiful, classy, and easy to clean if there were any kitchen spills! So, I took black-background portraits of all of the horses that had been most important in my and my husband's life and combined them into one composite portrait. I was even able to include horses that had previously passed away by editing old show photographs. I'm so glad I took on the project when I did, because only a few weeks later, our old mare peacefully passed away. I printed the long, rectangular piece on metal and hung it in that now perfectly sized space. I absolutely love it!! It's a focal point of the house that starts conversations and keeps our favorite horses close to us.
4. They look great in black and white
The high contrast of these portraits often makes them shine in black and white. It's not rare for me to have trouble picking what image I like better--the original color or a darker, simpler version. I also love how black and white images can show off different features. The change in light can emphasize underlying color patterns and features that often get lost in a color image.
5. They're the perfect way to celebrate
These photos are a great way to tell a story! You stand out, and these portraits show it!
There's nothing more rewarding than capturing the essence of a person and their achievements. I take pride in helping my clients showcase their accomplishments through my portraits, creating lasting memories that they can cherish for years to come.
6. They show off connection
These photos have a special way of displaying the bond between a person and their animal. They have a unique ability to capture emotions and connection by allowing natural, authentic moments to be emphasized.
Because animals often feel very comfortable in this type of portrait session, people do to! There can be so many opportunities for sweet and natural moments between a person and their pet in just a short period of time.
7. They can be taken in a mini-photo session
You don't need to dedicate a whole hour to getting these photos! As little as 15 minutes can be enough to get several poses in. That means it's easy for me to incorperate them into a normal hour session, and I also offer mini-sessions just for black-background photos!