23 October 2026 Just Horse Riders Podcast Episode 42 Hosted by Aaron EnglanderKey TakeawaysStart preparing weeks before the shoot. Spend time simply standing with your horse in the stable and field, with no headcollar, so that standing still becomes normal rather than suspicious.If you relax, your horse relaxes. Loosen the reins, scratch the withers and wait for the exhale. Becky only needs a fraction of a second to get the shot.Wear what you feel good in. If you're stuck, go for jeans and a flattering top you can climb a fence in.Summer evening golden hour gives the most beautiful light. Expect a start time of around 8pm in midsummer.Judge a photographer on their everyday work, not a staged portfolio. Check the website against their social media, then pick up the phone and talk to them.Goodbye shoots are worth thinking about early. Time pressure, not emotion, is usually the hardest part.Becky's shoots are 495, including a 24-inch fine art framed print. Finished images take two to six weeks.Quick answer: The best horse photos come from a relaxed horse and a relaxed owner, not from perfect weather or a perfectly plaited mane. According to Becky Swallow, you should prepare by spending quiet time standing with your horse in the weeks before a shoot, wear something you genuinely feel good in, and choose a photographer whose day-to-day work, not just their showcase portfolio, matches the style you love.If you've ever tried to photograph your horse with both ears forward, all four feet square and no hay hanging out of its mouth, you'll know it's harder than landing a flying change on a cold Tuesday. That's why we invited Becky Swallow onto the Just Horse Riders Podcast. Becky is a UK equine portrait photographer with more than 11 years' experience photographing horses and the people who love them. She spent three years as an in-house dressage event photographer. She has photographed William Fox-Pitt behind the scenes at Badminton Horse Trials and shot Laura Collett at home with her top horses. Her images have run as full-page and double-page spreads in Horse & Hound.Over nearly two hours, host Aaron Englander and Becky cover what really goes into a professional horse photoshoot: the prep, the chaos, the tears, the editing, and the single frame that ends up on your wall for the rest of your life. Watch now below, or listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sUBwfQNIG40hRgs8hXbKiMeet Becky Swallow: The Photographer Who Won't Soften the VeinsBecky describes herself as "a little bit more crazy" than most photographers, and she means it as a deliberate way of working. "I think the crazy just puts people at ease," she told Aaron. Anyone who has stood stiffly next to their horse while a stranger points a camera at them will understand why that matters.Her visual style is just as distinctive. While much equine photography leans soft and dreamy, Becky goes the other way, with high clarity and high contrast. "If a horse is working really hard, I don't want to soften out those veins," she explained. "I want to see them because they're working hard." It's an honest approach. A dressage horse mid-extension is an athlete, and Becky photographs it like one.From Fashion College to Equine PhotographyPhotography has run through Becky's whole life. Her dad was into it, and she was the kid at school who always had a film camera in her bag. A bridge camera at 18 led to her dad's old SLR, then a night course, then a full-time foundation degree. Her tutor told her she could get in almost anywhere, so she applied to the London College of Fashion to become a fashion photographer, and got in.Then life rewrote the plan. Becky became seriously unwell during her pregnancy, and moving to London was no longer possible. Her answer was refreshingly simple: "I have horses, I love horses, I like people and I do photography, so I'll just do that." She offered five free shoots on Facebook to build a portfolio, was swamped with replies, and equine portrait photography became her career.Badminton, Albion and "Crossing the Line"Becky's big break came through connections. A coach she met at a clinic encouraged her to approach a leading dressage venue, and that call turned into three years as its in-house photographer. A friend's contact then introduced her to the Albion stand at Badminton, where she showed some images of William Fox-Pitt she'd taken as a spectator. The following year Albion invited her back as their photographer, working behind the scenes with Fox-Pitt himself. Aaron summed it up: "It's not what you know. It's who you know."Becky's next goal is to photograph Team GB at the Olympics with an official lanyard. She's equally clear that she won't sacrifice home life with her family and horses to get there. That balance comes up again and again in the episode, and it's a big part of why her clients trust her.Why Real Photography Still Beats AIAaron didn't dodge the elephant in the arena. "I use a lot of AI, and I couldn't do without it," he admitted, before asking Becky what a real photographer can offer that image generation can't.Can AI replace a professional horse photographer?No, not for portraits that mean something. AI can mimic a finished-looking image, but it can't create the real bond between a specific horse and its owner, or the memory of the day the photo was taken. That memory is a large part of why people value the picture on their wall.The Experience Is 80% of the PictureBecky's answer was one word: emotion. "If you've got a model and a horse, AI can't create that bond," she said. She went further, too. According to Becky Swallow, around 80% of the value of a professional horse photoshoot is the experience itself. When you look at the print years later, you remember the dog licking the photographer, the horse refusing to stand, and everyone laughing.Becky only needs "that little fleeting moment", roughly 1/250th of a second, to capture a frame. The two hours around it are what turn a photograph into a memory. She points out that most owners spend their whole day doing things with their horses (feeding, mucking out, turning out, riding) and almost no time just being with them. A good photoshoot gives them two uninterrupted hours of exactly that. For our money, that's the most persuasive argument for professional photography we've heard.What Actually Happens on a Professional Horse PhotoshootHow much does an equine photoshoot cost in the UK?Prices vary widely, but Becky's photoshoot costs 495 and includes a 24-inch fine art framed print. Many clients spend more on extra frames or albums, so final bills can run into the thousands. Cheaper options exist, but they rarely include the same experience, editing time or print quality.Becky is unapologetic about pricing, and she uses a good analogy. You can't walk into a five-star hotel and ask for a room for 60, however much you want to stay there. She also says that once you add up shooting, editing, travel, insurance and equipment, the hourly rate for most photographers is nowhere near as glamorous as the headline price suggests.How long does it take to get horse photos back after a shoot?Becky's turnaround is usually two to six weeks, depending on her workload and her creative headspace. She sends small previews along the way. Clients then receive a slideshow of their images set to emotive music before choosing their final print.Why Choosing Your Favourite Takes HoursBecky's one wish is that every client understood how hard choosing would be. Picking the final image can take two to three hours. She suggests watching the slideshow with the kettle on, "or pop a bottle of wine", and treating it as part of the experience rather than a chore. Rejected images aren't deleted, so nobody has to panic about losing a favourite.How to Prepare Your Horse for a PhotoshootThis is the practical heart of the episode, and it's useful whether you're booking a professional or just trying to get a better photo for Instagram.How do I get my horse to stand still for photos?Practise standing with your horse in the weeks before the shoot. Stay in the stable after you've done the jobs, linger in the field after turnout, and stand quietly at gates for gradually longer periods. Reward relaxation, such as a big exhale, before asking for anything new.Stand, Wait, ExhaleAccording to Becky Swallow, the best way to prepare a horse for a photoshoot is to spend time simply standing with it in the stable and field. This teaches the horse that being with its owner without a headcollar isn't always a prelude to work. As she puts it, horses think "headcollar off, go; headcollar on, come in". The goal is the bit in the middle.Start with five seconds, then ten, then twenty, until your horse will happily stand for a few minutes. Find the spot your horse loves (for Becky's horse Woody, it's a good wither scratch) and wait for the exhale. Only then introduce something new, like standing next to a chair you'll eventually sit on. It's simple groundwork, and it pays off far beyond photo day.How to Get Your Horse's Ears Forward for PhotosBecky's quickfire tips are pure gold for anyone who has collected a rosette and ended up with a photo of a horse that looks thoroughly unimpressed:Use a horse-noise app. Whinnies, nickers and galloping hooves will make almost any horse look up.Rattle a box of Tic Tacs. The sound works, and they're for shaking, not eating.Relax your contact. In a line-up, loosen the reins a touch and give a scratch, because a tense rider means a tense horse.What should I wear for an equestrian photoshoot?Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident, because you'll be looking at these photos for years. If you're unsure, keep it simple with jeans and a flattering blouse or top. Choose something practical enough to move, kneel and climb in.According to Becky Swallow, "what should I wear?" is the most common question she's asked before a shoot. Her answer is refreshingly free of rules: if you don't like the outfit, you won't like the pictures. Becky is happy to help with styling ideas. If you'll be riding in some shots, clean, well-fitting jodhpurs and breeches make a noticeable difference to how polished the final images look.Footwear: Learn From Becky's ToeAt the time of recording, Becky had a broken toe. It didn't happen on a shoot. Her own horse stood on her foot while she was leading him and chatting over her shoulder. However relaxed the session, you're still working around 600kg of animal, so sturdy, protective yard and riding boots belong in your shoot outfit even if they stay out of frame.Best Time of Day to Photograph HorsesBecky's favourite is a late summer evening, when golden hour turns hazy, the grass is long and the light is warm. In midsummer that can mean starting around 8pm, which surprises some owners, but the results speak for themselves.On kit, her go-to is a 70200mm f/2.8 lens for its versatility and sharp focus. She also loves a 50mm prime because you "use yourself as a zoom", which keeps her sharp as a photographer. And while many owners insist on waiting for summer coats, Becky has a soft spot for fluffy winter ponies. Honestly, so do we.Goodbye Shoots: The Hardest and Most Honest PhotosWhat Is a Goodbye Photoshoot for a Horse?A goodbye shoot is a session booked when an owner knows their horse's time is coming, so they can make one last set of memories together. Becky gets these calls more often than people might expect, sometimes with only a day's notice.She talked movingly about a mare called Mary, and Aaron admitted that one of the images from that shoot affected him more than any photo of a stranger ever had. Surprisingly, Becky says the pressure is often lower than on a regular shoot. According to Becky Swallow, owners on a goodbye shoot are so absorbed in their horse that they forget the camera is there, which makes these some of the most emotionally honest images she creates. "This is my job," she said, "and it is my job to make sure that those memories are the best memories they're ever going to have."The real pressure is time. Some clients also aren't ready to look at their images for months, and that's fine. There was a lighter moment too: one "barely mobile" horse took one look at an open gate and bolted joyfully across the field.How to Choose an Equine PhotographerShould I Hire a Professional Equine Photographer or Use My Phone?For everyday memories, your phone is great, and Becky would happily run a clinic teaching owners to use it better. Where a professional earns their fee is in understanding horses. Becky is frustrated by event photographers who don't, and who sell images of horses looking "like a donkey" at the worst possible moment. Her pet hate is trot photos with the near legs not properly extended: "Horses don't have wobbly legs."Aaron put it neatly: "My pen might be better than Julia Donaldson's, but I'm not going to write a bestselling kids' book." Owning a good camera is not the same as being a good photographer.Check the Portfolio Matches the Social FeedBecky's advice is to compare a photographer's website with their everyday social media. Some portfolios are built on training courses where a tutor provides the model, the horse, the settings and the spot to stand in. If the website is stunning but the regular client work doesn't match it, that tells you what you'll actually get.Ring Them Before You BookBecky prefers a phone call to a DM, and for good reason. You'll spend hours with this person, so you need to enjoy their company. Aaron compared it to choosing a wedding photographer: you see more of them on the day than you do of most of your guests. Some people will talk to Becky and decide she's too much energy for them, and she's completely fine with that.Safety Comes FirstA good photographer will also tell you to speak up. Becky can get tunnel vision behind a zoom lens, so she asks clients to tell her if she's unsettling their horse. Her golden rule for anything ambitious, such as jumping on bareback, is this: "Don't do it for the first time with the photographer."The Gritty Bits Worth PhotographingBecky's favourite shots aren't always the polished ones. She loves photographing people putting in studs, precisely because "you can't do it in a pretty way". As she points out, every Pony Club household has photos of kids flying over fences, but hardly anyone has a picture of their child carrying a saddle at 7am.Her trickiest clients? Teenagers, who often arrive wanting chin-out, social-media-perfect poses. Becky's job is to steer them gently back towards the real bond with their horse, which is what they'll treasure in twenty years.The grit gets under your skin too, literally. Becky, who is also a qualified beautician running her own skincare brand for equestrians, explained that the grey "horse dirt" in riders' fingerprints gets ingrained deep in the skin. Her prescription is regular exfoliating and moisturising. Aaron, after hearing Becky's tongue-in-cheek suggestion of a grinder, joked that he now knew what to buy his wife for Christmas. A more practical habit is pulling on a decent pair of yard gloves before the jobs start.Horses, Mental Health and Woody's ComebackThe most personal part of the conversation came when Becky spoke openly about her mental health. She has been in "some very, very dark places", and she noticed they coincided with times in her life without horses. "My horses have saved me completely and utterly in their own little way," she said.Then there's Woody, her "ginger prince". He arrived mentally and physically broken, and a few weeks in, Becky doubted she could cope. Her husband's reply became a family motto: "We do not give up on things in this family." The horse who was once terrified of a single pole on the floor went on to jump double clear and finish fourth at a BE90 regional qualifier at Frickley with a catch rider. We dare anyone to listen to Becky tell that story without grinning.Every night, she switches off the stable lights with a simple "Night, team." It's a lovely reminder that for many of us, horses aren't a hobby. They're the support network.Is a Horse Photoshoot a Good Gift for an Equestrian?Becky makes a strong case that it's one of the best. Equestrians are notoriously hard to buy for, unless you can stretch to a lorry load of haylage. A photoshoot is an experience and a lasting piece of art in one. Some of Becky's clients order prints so big they hang in tack rooms and arenas. One pair of riders wanted their image so large it needed specially manufactured glass.Aaron's verdict: "You've given me some very good ideas. I hope she doesn't listen to this before Christmas." If a photoshoot isn't in the budget this year, you can shop now for more equestrian gift ideas that will still go down well at the yard.Watch or Listen to the Full EpisodeThis blog only scratches the surface. The full episode includes Becky's run-in with an angry parent at a junior showjumping show, her unexpected start in Horse & Hound, what top dressage riders actually look for in a photo, and her advice for young photographers (spoiler: "Don't say no"). Watch now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC8k5ptsxIwYou can see more of Becky's work at https://beckyswallowphotography.co.uk/, and listen now to every episode of the Just Horse Riders Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sUBwfQNIG40hRgs8hXbKiAbout the AuthorAaron Englander is the Founder of Just Horse Riders and host of the Just Horse Riders Podcast. With more than 15 years in the equestrian industry, Aaron has built Just Horse Riders into a leading UK equestrian retailer. He also created the Englander Equestrian product line. Through the podcast, he talks to riders, coaches and industry experts to share practical, honest insight with horse owners of every level. Read more about Aaron and Just Horse Riders.