FAQs

Find the answers to some of my most commonly asked questions - hopefully these will clear up any queries you might have.

  • After you have signed your contract and paid your non-refundable £50 deposit to secure the date for your session.

    You will then receive your “Welcome Pack’ containing all the information you might need. A couple days before your session, we will check forecast and contact you to confirm your portrait session and see if you have any last minute queries.

  • All session are taken on-location. We will discuss and choose the specific location during our consultation.

    For dogs, we have a number of locations we can suggest where we have worked before which are beautiful. We know horses can’t always travel and we are happy to photography around your yard, or location nearby.

  • The best light for photography happens in the morning or evening, within a couple hours of sunrise/sunset.

    The specific time for your shoot will depend on the time of year.

  • Find all session costs here on our portrait session page. A £50 non-refundable retainer fee is required to secure your date/time.

    Please note; Session prices only include the portrait session, professional editing of the photos for your reveal session and one complimentary print.

    Additional images digital or artwork are extra, but we have a number of artwork packages that offer you major savings.

  • During the session we will take usually a few hundred photos. After we have finished we will head back to the office and edit these down to the best 20-40 images. These images will then be professionally edited to our style.

    2-3 weeks after your portrait session, we will arrange to meet for your portrait reveal session. Here you will be able to see your full gallery, and be able to choose your artwork/images.

  • We will keep an eye on the forecast in the run up to your session, and if the weather forecast is not ideal, too wet or dark, then we can re-schedule your portrait session to a new date/time.

    We want to capture the most beautiful images for you and the ‘light’ is an important part of your portrait session.

  • Yes, most definitely! We can discuss what images you are after during your pre-shoot consultation.

    We will be able to do a combination of images, ‘animal only’ portraits, and ‘people & animal’ portraits.

  • We will send you some detailed information on clothing once you have booked in. The outfit you choose should enhance your portrait, we want the focus to be on you and your animal, not the clothes you are wearing.

    Briefly, we suggest neutral colours in your outfits, avoiding bright colours & patterns. Also sticking with all dark tones or all light tones per outfit creates a cohesive look.

    The most important thing is you wear clothes that your are comfortable in.

General

Dog

  • We will meet up at the chosen location, where I will meet you and your dog(s). From the meet-up point, we will go on a 1-2hr walk around the location, during this walk we will stop at suitable points to photograph your dog.

    We don’t normally walk too far distance wise, but if mobility is an issue (for either you or the dog), please say and we can discuss & plan accordingly

  • Yes, this is fine. The majority of the portraits I take have the dog on a lead. If the dogs safety is an issue, or you are not comfortable having them off lead then they absolutely can stay on lead.

    After the session I can edit out the collar/lead.

    I just ask for the collar to be a slim fit, if possible, not too bulky, and no harnesses, as these are not possible to easily edit out.

  • Please bring your dogs favourite toy and/or treats. These will help with keeping their attention and rewarding their good behaviour during the session.

    A towel/brush to help keep them tidy is also handy.

  • Yes, I can photograph multiple dogs at a time, as long as they are all from the same family.

    Two dogs are included within the standard photo session price, additional dogs are another £15 each.

    If there are 2 dogs or more, we suggest having an additional handler can be helpful to hold the other dog whilst we are focussing on the other.

  • Dogs with little to no training can be a challenge to photograph, however we work with rescue dogs/puppies all the time who haven’t got the basics yet.

    Using a combination of noises and treats I can get their attention and quickly take the image, sitting or lying down is not a requirement.

    I won’t be able to guarantee to capture as large a variety of poses, but rest assured we will still capture some beautiful portraits.

  • If your dog is nervous or reactive to other dogs or people, we can choose our location that will best suit their temperament. We can avoid the busier locations, and go out early/late.

    I know a number of locations with less footfall where we are less likely to meet other people/dogs.

Horse

  • We will meet at your yard, or chosen location.

    I will quickly scout out a couple of locations to explore with your horse during the session.

    The session will be up to 2 hours, but can extend longer if needed, we will take a variety of shots & poses. We can take in hand & mounted, individual horse portraits and horse & rider portraits all within the one portrait session.

    You are welcome to have an outfit change.

  • We recommend having your horse prepped as if going to a show.

    You should bath them the day before and tidy up their mane and tails, plaiting can look nice in portraits if done to a high standard.

    We would suggest you avoid doing all the prep on the same day as your session, as the horse might start getting impatient with the fuss.

    On the day have them freshly brushed, and clean, wipe dust from nose & eyes. We suggest either using a smart clean leather bridle or headcollar. If you want some portraits without headcollar, I have a thin rope halter that we can use.

  • Yes, we will edit out leadropes where it is suitable and will enhance the portrait.

    The same with headcollars, though if we are planning to have a ‘free’ portrait, then we can use my thin photography halter that is easier to edit out.

  • Victoria is an experienced horse woman and photographer.

    We don’t expect the horse to stand perfectly still, we will still manage to capture stunning portraits using a combination of techniques.

  • Yes, if there is a suitable and safe area for liberty shots. These can be taken as part of the portrait session.

    There are a number of techniques we can use, depending on the temperament of your horse.

  • Absolutely! We can photograph up to 2 horses within the standard portrait session. Your dog is welcome to join too for that complete family portrait.

    If you have more than 2 horses in your family that you would like included, that is perfect.

    Please be aware there is an additional charge to cover the extra time more horses will take. It is £25 extra per horse.

    We can get individual shots of each horse, as well as group and family shots.

  • Yes, most definitely! We can discuss what images you are after during your pre-shoot consultation.

    We will be able to do a combination of images, ‘animal only’ portraits, and ‘people & animal’ portraits.

  • We will send you some detailed information on clothing once you have booked in. The outfit you choose should enhance your portrait, we want the focus to be on you and your animal, not the clothes you are wearing.

    Briefly, we suggest neutral colours in your outfits, avoiding bright colours & patterns. Also sticking with all dark tones or all light tones per outfit creates a cohesive look.

    The most important thing is you wear clothes that your are comfortable in.