These Horse Portraits Will Leave You Breathless

Lauren Blaha’s equine portraits are real and they are gorgeous. She’s shared some of her favorite “subjects” with us, and you can find more at her website, laurenblaha.com.  Which ones do you like best?

Desmond, 30 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding

©Lauren Blaha

Tuscon + Dutch, 23 and 25 year old Standardbred geldings, both adopted from the Standardbred Retirement Foundation

©Lauren Blaha

Troubadour (“Eddie”), 15 year old Thoroughbred gelding

©Lauren Blaha

©Lauren Blaha

Chairman of the Board (“Blue”), 20 year old Paint gelding

©Lauren Blaha

Ain’t No Angel (“Angel”), 20 year old Thoroughbred mare (my horse!)

©Lauren Blaha

Balunito, 10 year old Westphalian gelding, for sale from Topline Imports

©Lauren Blaha

©Lauren Blaha

Adeline, 9 year old American Warmblood mare, for sale from Topline Imports

©Lauren Blaha

Scho Girl (“Missy”), 21 year old Trakehner mare

©Lauren Blaha

Carmen 272, 5 year old Württemberger mare, for sale from Topline Imports

©Lauren Blaha

©Lauren Blaha

“A horse is a thing of beauty…none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor.”
-Xenophon

Simply Stellar (“Stella”), 4 year old Quarter Horse mare

©Lauren Blaha

Zack, 20 year old Thoroughbred/Warmblood cross gelding

©Lauren Blaha

©Lauren Blaha

Tips from the photographer

1. To achieve this look, stand the horse halfway out of the doorway to a barn aisle (or somewhere near the threshold—make sure he is completely in the shade!). Turn off the barn lights and close the far door so the background naturally fades to black.

2. Try to shoot in the early morning or late afternoon and make sure the horse is completely in the shadow of the barn. This will avoid harsh overhead light and unattractive shadows.

3. Straight on is typically not the most attractive pose for a horse. Try to get their neck arched and bent slightly sideways and their face on a little of an angle.

4. Get those ears up! I have an assistant toss sand, crinkle peppermint wrappers, shake grain in a bucket, and play recordings of whinnies on my phone.