I have been incredibly fortunate to be introduced to Sophie Harris (pictured above), professional equine portrait and events photographer and founder of SEH Photography.

One of Sophie’s hobbies as a child was taking photographs. She later gained a wealth of experience in equestrian pursuits, notably working with international showjumpers. Sophie then combined her talents in photography and her knowledge of horses to launch SEH Photography in 2017.

Since then, Sophie’s stunning photographs have been featured in leading equestrian publications including Horse & Hound, Noelle Floyd and Your Horse magazine to name a few. So I asked Sophie more about her work and also took the opportunity to collect a few photography tips we all might be able to use!

Equestrian sport encompasses so many different aspects; what is your favourite to photograph and why?

“It’s hard to pick just one but I love capturing the bond between horse and rider, whether they’ve just jumped around a huge track at one of the biggest events in the world or those who ride simply for pleasure. In terms of discipline despite recently focusing more on eventing, show jumping will always have my heart, it’s the sport I grew up watching and competing in.”

Is there a particular horse you have been asked to photograph that has really caught your attention?

“I am very lucky to photograph some of the top horses in the world but the most recent horse of note is Hello Vincent ridden by Scott Brash. I photographed him at Olympia last December, he jumped a couple of small classes early in the week giving us the impression he was there for experience and would be a nice horse in the future. He ended the week by winning the biggest class of the show, the Grand Prix.”

What aspects of an event make your work more enjoyable?

“The atmosphere at the big events is incredible. I still feel incredibly grateful to call this my job, being at the best shows in the world surround by top athletes both horse and human is a great privilege.”

What are the most important elements for you in creating a great photo?

“Timing and lighting are always key for a beautiful image but to me the most important thing is capturing the emotion of a moment.”

What are the most common mistakes you’ve seen amateur photographers make?

“Within equine photography it has to be incorrect leg positions of the horse. Whilst you can obviously take some artistic license, if you photograph a horse at the “wrong” moment it is quite easy to make them look disjointed and awkward.” 

What are your three top tips for taking photos of pets and horses?

“Don’t worry about what equipment you have, just get out there and start taking photos. Learn about your subject, the way they move, hold themselves and when they look at their best, it will pay off. But most importantly Practice Practice Practice!!” 

Examples of Sophie’s excellent work and details of her photography services can be found on her website: www.sehphotography.co.uk.