Section 03 · Technique

Photography Tips

47 guides

Fast subjects, reflective dust and deep coats expose weak technique quickly. These guides keep frames sharp, readable and consistent.

All photography tips

Showing 25–36 of 47
Why Stiffness Wrecks Your Ride — 4 Exercises to Loosen Up Photography Tips Guide

Why Stiffness Wrecks Your Ride — 4 Exercises to Loosen Up

Trying to force yourself to "sit still" almost always backfires. When you freeze your muscles and hold your breath to avoid bouncing, you actually create more impact and disconnect from the horse’s rhythm. True sitting and posting require fluidity, not rigidity—the only time stillness truly belongs in the saddle is at the halt.

4 min readMarlowe Hayes
Take Your Time — 8 Tips for Starting Young Horses Over Fences Photography Tips Guide

Take Your Time — 8 Tips for Starting Young Horses Over Fences

Starting a young horse over fences requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to let the animal set the pace. Young horses thrive on predictable routines—feeding times, paddock rotation, and scheduled work sessions build a foundation of trust. When a horse knows what to expect, anxiety drops and focus increases, making every lesson more productive.

5 min readMarlowe Hayes
What I Learned at Summer Camp With Boyd and Silva Martin Photography Tips Guide

What I Learned at Summer Camp With Boyd and Silva Martin

Stepping onto the sprawling 75-acre estate in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, you immediately understand why Boyd and Silva Martin’s Windurra Camp has become a must-attend gathering for serious equestrians. This past weekend marked the third iteration of their annual summer clinic, drawing roughly 70 dedicated riders and auditors for an immersive experience in horsemanship. Beyond the breathtaking grounds and the familiar sight of campers trading carrots for head scratches with Boyd’s Olympic horses, the atmosphere promised something deeper: a chance to learn directly from two of the sport’s most accomplished competitors while absorbing techniques from a world-class roster of guest instructors.

4 min readMarlowe Hayes
10 Boarding Barn Etiquette Mistakes to Avoid Photography Tips Guide

10 Boarding Barn Etiquette Mistakes to Avoid

The funny thing is most of these habits aren’t intentional. In fact, many horse owners don’t realize they’re creating frustration for the people around them simply by following routines that work in their own barns but clash with shared facilities.

7 min readMarlowe Hayes
12 Things Nobody Tells You Before You Buy Your First Horse Photography Tips Guide

12 Things Nobody Tells You Before You Buy Your First Horse

Buying your first horse is one of those dreams that stays with you long after you wake up. It’s romantic, exciting, and deeply rewarding. But behind the polished social media photos lies a lot of unspoken reality. Some lessons simply can’t be learned from a book—they come from experience, mistakes, and quiet mornings at the barn. If you’re standing at the threshold of bringing a horse home, here are 12 hard-won truths most owners wish they’d known before signing the papers.

5 min readMarlowe Hayes
Feeding the Hard-Working Horse — A Beginner’s Guide Photography Tips Guide

Feeding the Hard-Working Horse — A Beginner’s Guide

Performance horses and those asked to do demanding physical tasks have significantly higher caloric, hydration, and nutrient requirements than lightly ridden companions. Simply adding “more feed” to their daily ration, however, is rarely the solution. The most effective feeding program aligns with your horse’s specific workload, current body condition, age, and individual metabolism, all anchored by a foundation of quality forage.

7 min readMarlowe Hayes
How Clean Does a Horse Stall Really Need to Be? Photography Tips Guide

How Clean Does a Horse Stall Really Need to Be?

If daily stall cleaning feels like a never-ending chore, it’s normal to wonder exactly how much dirt is too much. The reality is that stall hygiene isn’t a one-size-fits-all standard; it shifts based on your horse’s turnout schedule, local climate, and individual health needs. Once you understand why a clean environment matters, deciding how often to clean becomes straightforward.

7 min readMarlowe Hayes
What to Know Before Traveling With Your Horse Photography Tips Guide

What to Know Before Traveling With Your Horse

A practical guide to What to Know Before Traveling With Your Horse, with steps, checks, common mistakes, and safer decision points.

7 min readMarlowe Hayes
Protect Your Horse From New World Screwworm: Field Notes for Cleaner Horse Photos Photography Tips Guide

Protect Your Horse From New World Screwworm: Field Notes for Cleaner Horse Photos

It’s a familiar scenario for every horse owner: you turn your horse out in the morning, looking perfectly sound, only to discover a new scrape, rub, or unexplained wound by evening. While most of these are minor irritations, they serve as a critical reminder of the importance of daily observation and prompt wound care—especially during fly season.

6 min readMarlowe Hayes
Why Focal Length Matters in Sky Photography Photography Tips Guide

Why Focal Length Matters in Sky Photography

Most photographers focus intensely on the foreground, forgetting that the sky is often the largest element in the frame. Yet, capturing its true character requires intentionality, not just pointing your lens upward. By treating the sky as a primary subject rather than background fill, you unlock a more natural, consistent, and personal style in your landscape work.

6 min readMarlowe Hayes
How to Photograph Horses in Water Without Creating Risk for the Horse or Rider Photography Tips Guide

How to Photograph Horses in Water Without Creating Risk for the Horse or Rider

A water session can look magical in a portfolio, but the source makes clear that swimming with horses is a safety activity first. For a photographer, the lesson is to design the shoot around horse confidence, rider control, water conditions, and a short, calm window rather than chasing splashes at any cost.

4 min readMarlowe Hayes