The Dream Shoot: Maternity Photography with a horse
This late summer, I had the opportunity to photograph what I can only describe as a dream maternity photography session in Surrey. But like most dreams, making it a reality wasn’t without its challenges.
A few months before the session, I received an enquiry about a maternity shoot. During our consultation, the client shared her wish to include her competition horse, Jitterbug, in the session. As she spoke about her bond with Jitterbug—how the horse had been her steadfast companion through difficult times—I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This wasn’t just her dream; it was mine too.
It took me back to my countryside roots, where my happiest childhood memories were of running through fields, crossing rivers, and riding horses with my sister. Those moments ended when my sister left home with the horses, and I moved away from France, but the bond I had with those strong, trusting companions remains with me. This session felt like a chance to reconnect with that part of my life.
The Location: Rolling Hills and Pine Forest in Surrey
After discussing ideas with the client, we settled on a spot near Guildford in Surrey, close to where Jitterbug was kept. The area featured hills with pine trees and rolling fields of purple heather—a stunning backdrop that didn’t require a horse riding permit (a rare find!).
The landscape was perfect: vibrant, quiet, and full of character. It was as if it had been waiting for this session all along.
The Session
On the day of the shoot, I was a mix of excitement and nerves. I had prepared as much as I could—moodboards, styling suggestions, arriving early to scout the location again—but you can never plan for everything.
The horse trainer arrived first with Jitterbug. When I asked, “Shall we take her out of the lorry?” he replied, “Better if she stays inside; she’ll be calmer.” That should have been my first clue!
When the clients arrived, they looked radiant—excited about welcoming their baby girl and celebrating this moment together. I was ready to dive in, but Jitterbug had other plans.
Lessons Learnt
I assumed Jitterbug, as a competition horse, would be calm, docile and well-trained—just like the horses I grew up with, who were used to children and noise. I was wrong. Jitterbug was full of energy, impatient, and not keen on standing still for too long. She pawed the ground and pulled at the lead, making it clear she wanted to move.
The client was heavily pregnant and couldn’t ride or hold her. Her husband, self-described as “not a horse guy,” wasn’t equipped to manage her either—especially not in his loafers! The trainer was invaluable, guiding Jitterbug when she needed breaks and allowing us time to focus on maternity portraits without the horse.
This session taught me a valuable lesson: never assume! Every horse, like every session, is unique.
Keep Cool and Adapt
Once we understood Jitterbug’s needs—space to move and time to settle—things fell into place. Between breaks, I captured tender moments between the couple. Their bond was so beautiful and effortless that photographing them felt like pure joy.
Despite the overcast skies, the location’s beauty shone through. The purple heather and yellow gorse created a dreamy palette that made every shot feel like a dream.
The Family Film
This session was only the third time I’d offered filmmaking alongside photography. Adding video to a full gallery was a challenge, but I love pushing myself creatively.
Weeks later, during the editing process, I played the final cut of the family film. The music unfolded, the images came together, and the emotion in the story hit me like a wave. Alone in my living room, tears started flowing—then sobbing.
When my partner, Dan, walked in, he looked alarmed: “Are you okay?”
“It’s so beautiful,” I sobbed. “I’m so proud of myself!”
That moment wasn’t just about the film; it was about overcoming my fears of trying something new. The result wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t need to be. The raw emotion was all that mattered.
Client Reactions
When I delivered the gallery and video, my client was overjoyed. Her message read:
“I don’t have words to describe how the video and gallery turned out. Just literally BEYOND anything I could have imagined.”
She even ordered an album to preserve these memories—a treasured keepsake of a day she’ll never forget. Messages like this remind me why I pour my heart into my work.
Watch The Family Film
Create Your Own Magic
If you’ve ever dreamed of a family or maternity session that feels deeply personal—whether it includes a beloved pet, a meaningful location, or a unique story—don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can book here or schedule your video consultation here. Let’s create something magical together.
Alba.