Video/Photography Guidelines - How to Achieve Best Results
Good photos are a requirement of entry to the sale; video is optional but highly recommended. Please review the following elements as they are critical in getting your horse(s) accepted.
You will need:
Still camera preferably digital
Video camera convert small tape portions to MPEGS - there are video conversion services who can do this if you do not have the right equipment
Two extra handlers if possible
Sunny/bright conditions (don't take photos/video late in evening, very early in the day, in an indoor arena or inside your barn)
Photo/Video Site:
- Uncluttered, clean, flowers are nice! Solid background such as trees or large open fields work well
- Short cropped grass or sand footing especially for the standing shots and coming and going from the camera (need to see their feet)
- Avoid equipment, manure piles, straight vertical lines such as telephone poles in the background if you can.
Your Horse(s):
- Groomed with a shiny coat, manes and tails tangle free, healthy and sound, in good flesh, feet oiled, well fitting halter optional for free moving shots
- Hooves and long hairs trimmed if required, some like to bang tails for a "finished" look. Braiding makes them look pretty amazing too, but chances are you won't get a brilliant shot after they are braided.
Keep in mind that these are just suggestions, but good visual images are absolutely essential to selling your horse for the optimal dollar. Advanced planning is critical! (Get your video equipment out the night before, CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES, make sure you have film, tapes, discs etc!!!) This makes the difference between good and great. You can also hire a professional photographer and videographer but you will still need to have your horse(s) and site properly prepared.
One suggestion is to carry your still camera with you at all times! If you take your camera with you every time you walk out the door to do chores you will capture that special moment. Just get in the habit of bringing your camera with you. It is not that hard! Really! (Small digital camera are getting cheaper every year)
PHOTOGRAPHS (required)
| REQUIRED shots: | Candid / feature shot |
| Left side view (open stance) | |
| Right side view (open stance) | |
| Front view (standing square) | |
| Hind view (standing square) | Maximum TOTAL file size is 3 Mb |
You need a handler to hold the horse, someone to shake oats or something else to get their attention, and the photographer.
Stand so that you can get in as close to the horse without distorting perspective (about 20 feet is good) Stand at about their heart position and shot the image from there. If they are bigger behind than in front shoot slightly from the front, (and vice versa for the reverse). Your horse(s) needs to be positioned so that they are in 'open stance', two closest legs to the photographer are spread furthest out so that all four legs can be seen - but not so far apart that they appear camped out) You need both sides.
From behind you want to show the horse(s) standing square. Take the picture so that you can clearly see from the top of the croup and right to the bottom of the feet. (You will want to position yourself at about the height of their belly) This works well for the front shot too.
VIDEO (optional)
An online video clip 3 - 5 seconds of three movements indicated below. The maximum file size is 15 Mb.
- BRILLIANT free trotting
How to get it:
If your horse can lunge, trot her lightly after a good rest. You will need a video/photo person beside you as you lunge to get the best shot. If you have a round pen you can use that too.
If you have a long walk to a turn out area, position your camera person at the entry gate so as the horse(s) is being walked he photos capture the excitement.
- Walk, building to trot to, and from camera
You will need a handler for the horse and your photographer at the end of a fairly flat uncluttered area with the sun behind the photographer. It is important that the handler make the horse walk straight to and from the photographer. Also if the handler can put their right arm out it will help give a clean view of the legs. Start at walk, for at least 8 footfalls (two strides) and build to a slow trot for at least 5 full strides (10 footfalls).
- Free moving gaits
This can include canter, preferably with a change of direction with clean change of lead. This has to be done in an enclosed area unless you have unlimited time on your hands to wait for a change of direction by your horse! Two handlers at opposite ends of the arena can direct the horse(s) so that you can capture the canter and clean change of lead.
IMPORTANT!
Owners should have a full video (in DVD, VHS or CD) of their horse(s) and be prepared to send it out in a
timely manner (one to two days maximum from request) to potential buyers who have seen him/her on the internet. This footage should not exceed 15 minutes. We recommend it include the following elements:
- Walking and trotting toward and away from the camera (2 minutes)
- Free moving shots in walk, trot and canter, with change of direction (5 minutes)
- Close up footage showing all 4 legs from all sides, (2 minutes)
- Teeth and bite (included in above)
- Perineal conformation shot in the case of fillies (included in above)
Optional:
- Ground handling picking up a foot, leading, tie if trained to do this (2 minutes)
- Light jumping
It is important to mention you do not want to put your horse(s) under stress to get good footage. If you are prepared with your equipment, handlers, site and your foal you will capture what you need. As always, working with horse(s) requires patience and persistence. It will probably take several attempts to get everything you need. (You probably won't get the brilliant photo the same day you get brilliant moving shots, etc)
Good luck and enjoy!
