An Equestrian Maternity Session with Rachel, Winterhawk, Beans and Hatchet

There are certain clients I’ve had the privilege of photographing through many different seasons of life, and Rachel is one of them. I’ve worked with her many times over the years for her own private equine photography sessions. She has also modeled for our Horses on the Beach Equine Photography Workshop and has graciously helped me create commercial images for horse tack companies over the years.

So when Rachel reached out about creating equestrian maternity portraits before the arrival of her daughter, I was absolutely honored to photograph this next chapter for her.

Creating Maternity Portraits That Still Feel Like You

Rachel chose to include two of her horses, Winterhawk and Beans, along with her dog Hatchet in her maternity session. Because really, if your animals are a huge part of your everyday life, why wouldn't they be included?

That's one of the things I love about creating maternity photography opportunities for equestrians and horsewomen. A maternity session doesn't suddenly have to stop looking like your life just because you're celebrating a baby on the way. Your horses can absolutely be part of it.

Rachel's session took place at Star 4 Equestrian, a local equestrian facility, located in St Augustine, FL, where I've had the opportunity to photograph many times over the years.

We created a mix of more traditional maternity portraits along with horse and human portraits featuring Winterhawk and Beans. Hatchet joined in too, giving us the opportunity to document Rachel with the animals who are such an important part of her family before that family gets a little bigger.

Hair and Makeup Right at the Barn

Rachel also had professional hair and makeup by Kira Normand of Onsite Muse FL before we started photographing.

I love having professional hair and makeup available for portrait sessions because it gives my clients a chance to sit down, relax, and be taken care of before we begin. It also means your makeup is created specifically with professional photography in mind while still allowing you to look like yourself.

Then we add your horses, because obviously.

Yes, You Can Include Your Horse in Your Maternity Photos

I occasionally get inquiries from people looking for a photographer who can also provide a horse for their session, so this is a good opportunity to clarify something about Fast Horse Photography.

I do not provide horses for photography sessions.

The horses you see in my equine and equestrian photography belong to my clients or their families or are leased or ridden on a regular basis by my clients. That's intentional. My work is about photographing your life with the horses you know and love, whether we're creating equestrian senior portraits, family photography, maternity portraits, or simply celebrating a season of your life that you don't want to forget.

You don't need a certain breed, discipline, fancy show horse, or perfectly behaved unicorn pony. You just need a horse you care about.

Equestrian Maternity Photography in St. Augustine and Northeast Florida

Rachel's session was especially meaningful because I've been able to photograph her so many times before. Years from now, these images will sit alongside photographs from other times in her life and tell a much bigger story.

And next time I photograph her, there may just be one more tiny person joining us.

If you're expecting and would love to include your horses, dogs, or family in your maternity portraits, I offer full-service equestrian maternity photography in St. Augustine, Florida and throughout Northeast Florida. We'll plan the session together, talk about wardrobe, location, your horses, and the images you want to create, then I'll help you decide how you'd like to enjoy those photographs afterward.

Your horse is already part of the family. They don't need to sit this milestone out.

Cara Taylor Swift
Fast Horse Photography
Equine, equestrian and horse photography in St. Augustine and throughout Northeast Florida