kerry ould

Collaboration | Equine photography

This past weekend, I worked on a different kind of project - one in which the tables were turned and I was in front of the lens.  It's usually something I avoid as I hate having my photo taken, but a very dear friend finally convinced me that I should have my own photos of me and Poppy.  True.

We've been planning this for a while and knew that I wanted the colour red to come out in the images, and that they had to be done in the snow.  Luckily last weekend we got one last (???) snowfall.  The perfect fluffy kind of snow that hangs in the trees.  My favourite shooting conditions. This put the plan in motion.

Allison, my photographer-for-the-day happens to be a very talented creative director with a Toronto ad agency.  She has also been supporting and encouraging my work since the early days so she knows my style, and to top it off, she is a horse person too.  In other words, she was the perfect person for me to collaborate with.  Oh, and she knows Poppy too.

The morning started with getting Poppy glammed up - which meant whisker trims, scrubbing her white markings and really grooming her coat.  Her tail also got a trim and deep conditioning.  I think she thought she was going to a show.  Next my bridle and saddle got a deep cleaning.  And then came the wardrobe consult for me. 

We settled on traditional breeches - though in navy rather than beige (better to hide any...err...flaws).  I also polished up my boots and added spurs.  Luckily Allison brought a bag full of options for the top - including the red coat we settled on using.

Next was a quick session with Allison on how to use my camera and with everything in place, we headed out into the snow.

 

After the session, I did all of the usual post-session uploading, sorting, archiving and editing - making it a true collaborative exercise.

At the end of it all, I got some really great images of Poppy and I.  And I have to say, it wasn't so bad being in front of the camera - though I still prefer to be the one behind it.

Thanks for convincing me Allison!

Poppy in the snow | Horse photography

Finally we have gotten some snow!  I had a fantastic session this morning (more on that later), and then decided to get some photos of Poppy out in the snow.  I think her herd really wanted to come in so they kept mobbing me in the field.  And between that and the heavily falling snow soaking my camera, I was only able to grab a few quick shots.  Either way, there is something magical about horses in the snow.

Just a reminder, if you are hoping for a snow session, drop me a line to get your name on the list.

5 years of images | Horse & Dog photography

I was fortunate enough to be able to take a vacation over the past couple of weeks to catch up on many things - like revisiting some aspects of my photography business, spending time with Poppy and generally just recouperating from a busy 2010. 

Another thing I found time for was going back through my archives and pulling together just over 90 of my favourite images from the past 5 years.  It was tough narrowing down the images, so the way I did it was to include images that stick out in my mind, as well as those that have been favourites from my fans.    Overally, I found the process really energizing, and it got my creative mind working a bit.  Hopefully the next 5 years will bring even more images like these.

Be sure to click on the "Open publication" link below to see the album in full screen.  Enjoy, and let me know what you think. 

Were there any images that stand out in your mind that I didn't include?

What's your favourite image from the album?

Open publication - Free publishing - More photography

Passport photo of Poppy | Equine photography

Poppy has progressed really well with her training over the past year.  She's even been out to a few local schooling shows with great results.  So, before she becomes a wooly-mammoth-horse and gets her winter coat, I decided I should get a quick passport photo of her so I might actually get around to applying for her passport next year.  Why is it that the things that sound so simple aren't?  According to Equine Canada, I just needed one shot as described here:

It may not be any bigger than 4"x 6", and should be a side view of the horse, with no tack. Preferably the horse's head should be turned to the camera to show any markings as listed on the application.

Well, the poor horse is going to have to live with this photo forever so I wanted it to be a good one.  That means getting a horse who likes to roll in mud and sleep in poo clean.  Then there is the case of her white markings - which are not always white.  Oh, and she's part clyde which means lots of cosmetic clipping of whiskers and leg feathers.  And cleaning the bridle was in order as well - after the mould outbreak from the humid summer.  Hmm...hopefully they don't consider the bridle "tack".  So after a couple hours of cleaning we headed out for her photo shoot.

Along the way, I learned some valuable tips I wanted to share as I am sure many of you have, or will, find yourself in need of a passport photo.

1. Don't have the person who feeds the horse be your handler.  No offence Chelsea!  In Poppy's case, she likes to eat (as evidenced by her big belly), so to her Chelsea means food, and food must be investigated.  Stay Poppy!

2. Even in September, you need fly spray.

3. It also helps to have all 4 feet on an even plane.  In this photo, as she continued to fidget, she ended up with her shoulder and front legs closer to the camera than her back legs - not flattering as it results in a disproportionate horse.  Little bum, big shoulder, little head.

4. Even if you have established Chelsea has no food, maybe if you keep trying, and beg really hard Chelsea will find you some.

5. Have patience and eventually you end up with something.  Or try turning her the other way to give her something new to look at - in this case a horse in a paddock.  I think this one is our winner. It only took 80+ shots to get Poppy to cooperate. You can see all of her markings - even the edges of her white knee marking.  Her eyes are open, ears forward, and tail where it should be.  Done.

Good Poppy!

Oh, and if anyone knows what colour I should technically call her, let me know.  She's kind of grey, kind of roan, a bit sunbleached...and where her bite marks are growing back in, it's black hair.  Strange. 

 

Poppy Love | Equine photography

Arwyn | Horse photography

Arwyn is Poppy's new best friend.  They are now pasture buddies and are completely inseparable.  I think Arwyn loves Poppy more than Poppy loves Arwyn.  Arwyn is just 3 so I think maybe she looks up to Poppy just a little bit. 

As for Poppy, I have no idea what colour she is anymore.  We're thinking she's going a rose grey colour now.  Either way, she's still a very special little mare.

Poppy meets Jake | Horse and dog photography

Today was the first real taste of spring.  The temperature climbed above 0 and the sun was out melting all the horrible ice that's been everywhere at the farm.  There is an end in sight! 

My mom brought Jake up to meet Poppy for an impromptu session today.  Poppy loves dogs.  And I mean loves them.  If I am riding and Bing (the resident barn dog) is in the arena, Poppy always has to go see Bing and get her kisses or she just can't concentrate.  Luckily Jake came from a breeder who also kept horses so he kind of understands what they are all about.

As always, Poppy was a total angel and was very kind and careful around little Jake. Her feet hardly moved, even when Jake was right under her nose.  It's like she knows when to be gentle.  I think it's the Clyde in her breeding. Jake, not surprisingly, had no fear so the two were fast friends. 

My mom did most of the photography today, but I did manage to get a few shots of my own in.  

 

Some Kind of Wonderful

Any of you children of the 80's probably remember Some Kind of Wonderful as one of the best coming of age love stories of our youth.  One of John Hughes' productions, it not only was brilliant in the storyline, but it also had a great soundtrack - including this song (Brilliant Mind by Furniture):

After a lazy Sunday watching a bunch of John Hughes' films (Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful), it finally came to me. I had a show name for Poppy!

For those of you who aren't part of the horsey world, a show name is simply the name a horse is shown under, and usually registered under. It's usually a bit longer and more complex than what you call them in the barn. So, unless I change my mind again, Poppy will be shown under the name "Some Kind of Wonderful". It just had a feel good connection for me, and I think she's pretty wonderful so it's fitting.

And if you haven't seen Some Kind of Wonderful, watch it.  You'll find it running at least a couple of times a month on the channels that run older movies.

Poppy and Skye | Horse photography

It's been a while since I got some photos of Poppy, and since she's a gray, I know she's going to change a lot over the next couple of years.  Her coat has already started to lighten from when I got her last spring.  
I imagine she'll be pretty light within the next year so I need to make sure to capture lots of images of her so I can remember her as a steel gray - which I think is one of the prettiest horse colours, especially when mixed with white markings like Poppy's. 

Today I braved the cold and spent a few minutes out in her paddock with her and her best friend Skye.  Poppy and Skye are always side by side and make a cute pair with their splashy white blazes on their faces.

This next image captures Poppy perfectly.  The expression is so her.  And of course Skye's not far away.

 

The day I went to pick up Poppy, I think the first words we had were that she had a kind eye.  You can really see the softness here.

Poppy's nose | Horse photography

One of the most endearing things about Poppy is her nose.  It's the softest nose and because she's so snuggly, it's hard to not notice.