From Equestrian to Equine Photographer
FROM EQUESTRIAN TO EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHER
- FIONA MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY -
Just last month, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview for the Equestrian Business Awards. I got to chat with the judges about my journey, share what my business is all about, and reflect on the highs, lows, and everything in between of being an Equestrian Photographer.
As I recounted my story, I found myself getting a little sentimental and nostalgic and it made me realize it would be great to reintroduce myself and share a bit more about my own journey with horses and photography on the blog!
Back to the Beginning!
Like many horse lovers, I think my passion was almost in-built. I’ve always adored animals, but horses have been my constant love. Alongside this, I’ve always been creative, and horses were almost always my muse for my creative endeavours.
I began riding lessons at age nine and three years later, Oliver (pictured above) came into my life, and our journey together began. Over the years, we’ve explored Pony Club, family holidays, eventing, dressage, and even polo and side-saddle! Oliver has done it all. This year marks 13 jam-packed years together, and he has taught me everything I know about horses. I have had the pleasure of owning numerous horses & ponies throughout this time, all of which teaching me something different - either about myself or these incredible animals.
An Education in Art
Alongside my love of horses, photography has always been part of my life. My dad has always been into his technology & gadgets, and I grew up with cameras being a staple to take with you on holiday, or out with the horses. My first camera was a bright red Nikon CoolPix which featured a whopping 12 megapixels - which I still have today! Photography quickly became an extension of my creative endeavours, with the plus of immortalising the subject perfectly.
Throughout school I had decided that I wanted to pursue photography (see the below picture from GCSE interviews we had to do!) but, I ended staying on at Sixth form to further study Fine Art, Media Studies and Film Studies, which then led me to undertake my Fine Art Degree at Wolverhampton University, with the view of doing a PGCE and teaching Fine Art, but this wasn't what I truly wanted to do.
Inspiration & Starting out!
During my time at university, we were very lucky to win a photoshoot with our two Labradors, which re-ignited my love for photography. Getting to experience the whole process from the perspective of the client inspired me so much, that I headed home and buried myself into anything photography related that I could find. The photography books that had been sat gathering dust for years were suddenly picked up, alongside podcasts, YouTube videos, blogs, online forums.... anything and everything.
Combining this, with my pre-existing Fine Art knowledge, I began to teach myself how to use my camera & how to create the photographs that I had always admired. I started photographing our own pets and horses to practise, and then moved onto friend's horses. My first 'real' photoshoot I did was with a prom photoshoot with a friend's daughter and her pony. I was utterly thrilled with this opportunity, and I am over the moon to say that Elena & her ponies are still clients of mine to this day - see some photographs from the first shoot we did together, as well as photographs from an Autumnal Photoshoot last year below!
Running a business has its ups and downs and I have learnt plenty of lessons along the way, but I feel so grateful to be doing something I love; capturing the trust, bond, and love between horses and their humans.
To be able to provide something that immortalises not only your horse, but also the special relationship, trust and unique bond that you build with them will always be something that I whole heartedly cherish.
It was such a joy to chat through my journey with the judges, Katy and Rachael for the EBA Awards, and even more heartwarming to read the beautiful (anonymous) nomination comments that you had left. Here’s just a tiny handful of the kind words that made me tear up… thank you, truly.
- Fiona takes pride in her work, patience of a saint to get things spot on, very professional, has worked hard to get as far as she has! So really deserves this award.
- So passionate about her work, but also such a lovely person that she puts people at ease having their photos - not something that comes easily to a lot of people. Fab with high strung horses, funny requests, dogs, kids! Just an absolute credit to the photography industry and very deserving of recognition for this!
- Many photographers just can’t quite capture the animals character.. Fiona captured not only their personality but from her images, you can almost tell the whole animals life story. It’s something so special and very rare, to be able to look at a photo and say “this dog has been through a lot in life, she’s old and her body aches.. but that twinkle in her eyes shows she’s still got more to give before her days up”.
- Absolutely amazing photographer. Calm, patient and understanding. Takes just the best photos and takes so much care to ensure they are just what you want. Such a lovely person.
- Fiona is the ultimate professional who gets great results from her equine (and other) subjects during shoots. She has a lovely way with people and horses, which is reflected in her excellent quality work.
Ⓒ Fiona Moore Photography
West Midlands Based Specialist Equine Photographer
Award Winning Equine Photographer available for Equine Photoshoot Sessions & Equestrian Brand/Business Photography.
