Why my horse photography isn’t about perfection (and why that matters)

Caroline Nijs
Jul 24
2 min read

Updated: Jul 29

If you’re looking for those beautifully polished images where the horse stands perfectly still with their ears forward and the legs perfectly aligned—I’m not your photographer.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love those photos. They're just not what I do.

I photograph with the intention of showing who they are. And more importantly, who they are to you. Horses are deeply expressive creatures. They’re not ornaments, or props. They’re our partners. And that’s what I like to reflect in my horse photography portraits, even if that means they're not perfect.

A woman with short white hair is standing outdoors next to a chestnut horse. She is smiling broadly and laughing, holding a colorful lead rope attached to the horse’s blue halter with a patterned noseband. The woman wears a dark green V-neck T-shirt and black pants, with a lanyard and whistle around her neck. The horse stands calmly beside her, ears forward, with a relaxed posture. Behind them are leafy trees and some farm structures, suggesting a rural setting. The moment feels natural, joyful, and connected.

It’s about connection, not control

You won’t find me asking your horse to stand still just to get a tidy shot.

What matters to me is how the two of you interact—how your body language aligns when you are around each other, how they respond to your presence.

That story is so much more interesting than any perfect pose ever could be.

Many photos don't have those moments in them because they was too focused on the entire setting.

Mine do. Because I take the time. I wait. I pay attention. Because your story is worth listening to.

What makes my horse photography different?

I’m not just someone who loves horses—I’m someone who needs them.

A big part of my adult life, I’ve built around being with them. They’ve helped me regulate my nervous system when nothing else could. They've made space for my neurodivergent brain when the rest of the world felt too loud.

So when I photograph your horse, I’m not just snapping pictures of an animal. I’m documenting a relationship I understand on a cellular level.

I notice the details, the dynamics, the communication many photographers overlook because they want 'that perfect image'. I won’t ask you or your horse to be anything other than what you are.

A young woman with light skin and shoulder-length light brown hair is standing beside a horse. She’s looking at the horse with a soft, affectionate and dreamily expression. The horse is out of focus in the foreground, its face and leather halter slightly blurred, drawing the viewer’s attention to the woman’s gaze. She is wearing a simple gold necklace and small hoop earrings, and has on a beige knit cardigan over a white top. The background is softly blurred, suggesting an outdoor setting. The photo captures an intimate, quiet moment between the woman and the horse.

What to expect

There’s nothing to prove during your photo session. I give guidelines and some tips, but there's no real posing. Just time and space for your horse to be themselves, and for you to be with them.

If they need a break mid-session, that’s not a problem. We keep things simple and calm. Your horse sets the pace.

Who this is for

If your horse is part of your daily life—not just a hobby or a weekend ride, if they are the one thing that can ground you, this is for you.

This isn’t for people looking for artfully posed images.

It’s for people who want to document how their horse is such a big part of their life. The small things that only make sense to the two of you.

Let’s make something real

If you want photographs that feel like your horse—not like a version of them made for social media—get in touch.

Even if you're not sure yet, just send me a message. I love talking horses.