Family Portraits with Horses and Beloved Animals in Ormond Beach, Florida

For this portrait session in Ormond Beach, Florida, the goal was to create an image of the Conte children with all of their favorite animals, including their horses Cactus and Maverick, their mini donkeys Lily and Daisy, and their Border Collie, Rip. Somehow, everything came together right away, and we were able to get the full portrait on our very first attempt. Sessions with several animals can be tricky (but almost always doable), so I was pretty thrilled!

I have photographed the Conte family before, so it was extra special to work with them again. During their previous session, we created portraits to celebrate their senior pony, Pickles, who has since passed on. Those images became a stunning framed Guild Canvas for the wall of their new home, and I know they will always mean even more because of that chapter in their story.

This time, the focus was on creating something that felt joyful, personal, and full of the animals that are such an important part of their everyday life. Sessions like this are such a good reminder that family portraits do not have to look one certain way. Sometimes the best images are the ones that include the horses, the donkeys, the dog, and all the personalities that come with them.

After the session, the Conte family chose to turn their images into a beautiful heirloom album, prints for self-framing, and a couple of adorable gifts for loved ones. I love when images end up in forms people can actually enjoy at home instead of getting lost in a phone camera roll never to be seen again. Tragic, really.

Creating photographs like these is about more than getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time. It is about preserving this season of life exactly as it feels right now, with the animals and moments that matter most and it is something I LOVE to do for my clients.

If you are thinking about a family portrait session with your horses, dogs, donkeys, or the whole crew, I would love to help you create something meaningful for your home. I photograph equestrian families and horse-loving families throughout Ormond Beach, Florida and beyond.