The best season for an Equine Photoshoot in the UK

Kicking off the new year with big questions!

As we enter 2025 I thought it would be helpful to provide a balanced overview of the four seasons if you're a horse owner who is unsure about which season would be best for booking an equine photoshoot.

My name is Holly and I am an Equine photographer from Essex. I travel all over the place (literally, everywhere!) capturing the lives of those who treasure their relationships with their horses and the lifestyle that inevitably comes with that.

Winter

Let's start with the least obvious contender. I call it this because people automatically assume that winter = mud, cold and dreary, grey skies. However here are some positives to winter that are sometimes forgotten:

• No flies
• Gorgeous winter sunlight that is soft and dancing
• Frost is twinkly and beautiful
• Cosy winter fashion... boots, fur, hats and capes!
• Cute fuzzy ponies
• Smartly clipped horses
• Christmas themed photographs if that's your vibe!
• Quieter season for competition schedules and holidays
• Gives you something to look forward to if you're not a huge fan of the steadiness that winter can bring

Here are some photographs taken in the depths of winter (End of November - End of February). I really think they'll surprise you...

Spring

The waking of nature! The blossom arrives and slowly we start to see this gorgeous transition period come to life. Spring can be rainy - things need rain in order to be green and gorgeous right?! So we work around it. Here are some reasons to love Spring photoshoots:

• Longer daylight hours
• Blossom & trees in bloom
• Spring flowers: Daffodils (March), Bluebells (April), Cow Parsley (May)
• Fashion and outfit ideas can be borrowed from both neighbouring seasons!
• Easter holidays if you're having to plan around school for children
• If you've gifted or been gifted a shoot as a Christmas present, we have plenty of time to plan for Spring
• The countryside looks beautiful at this time of the year. The crispness and stillness of winter still remains, but with a little more energy in the air

Here are some photographs taken in the spring (March - late May). I do personally feel the British countryside lends itself well to Spring!

Summer

Probably the most obvious season for an equine photoshoot for many reasons - and summer is very busy as a season in terms of my work. Here are the perks:

• Warmer days and evenings
• Longest in terms of daylight hours = later evenings
• Fields full of wheat and grass grown for hay are at their longest (picturesque!) before harvest
• Fashion is airier, floral patterns come out and things like summer dresses, playsuits or shorts can be easily incorporated
• Long summer holidays for the children!
• Summer flowers in full bloom... Wisteria, Magnolia, Lavender.
• Warm enough to use nearby rivers
• Ground is dry enough to not leave too many damaging hoof marks in the lawn if we are photographing at your home!
• Horses gorgeous shiny summer coats!
• More styling tips can be found here, in another recent blog post I wrote!

Here are some photographs taken in Summer (June - September). There is so much to love and a lot of variation to be had!

Autumn

Saving (arguably) one of the best til last! An amazing season if you love warm hues and muted colour. Yes we may. have to dodge the rain and wind, but the best things in life don't come easily... right?! Here are the selling points for an Autumnal equine photoshoot!

• Warm colours (trees and foliage) as leaves change
• Flattering light
• Grass still green, but without the heat
• Fashion is cosier tweeds, boots, long dresses or skirts with tights. Fedoras!
• No flies!
• Ground is dry enough still
• Typically more clouds in the sky so balanced lighting for flattering photographs!
• I put more styling tips for autumn together in another blog post

Here are some photographs taken in Autumn (Late September - Mid November). The autumn colours have been super strong the last few autumns, and if you're surrounded by trees then you're in for a treat!