Smartphone Photography with Model Horses

Get creative and get the perfect shot!

The photo-centric social media platform Instagram has become a haven for Breyer fans since it debuted in the early 2010s. Many collectors share photos of their favorite models, snapshots from events, and some truly stunning model horse photography. Jumping into photographing your models in a natural setting can be intimidating, but fear not! You don’t need a fancy DSLR-type camera to get in on the action – your smartphone camera can take beautiful photos as-is.

We caught up with some of Instagram’s most prolific model horse photographers for their own tips and tricks for taking stunning photos with just a phone camera! All photos in this article were taken with smartphones.

@celestialmodelhorses

Locating an environment for your photo is important! The most ideal locations have short grass or in-scale footing, good lighting, and are open spaces without large buildings or objects that will appear in your background.

To get a DSLR-type look with your smartphone, swipe through the camera modes in your camera application. Most newer phones have a setting called portrait mode. This is an excellent mode for achieving better focus on your model and creating the depth of field that DSLRs are known for.

Taking photos at the model’s eye level allows for maximum realism. Add some interest to your photos by positioning the model in an interesting way, or experiment with the angle of your photo!

Another great plus to shooting on your phone is the easy access to editing applications for finishing touches. A few free apps that I recommend are Lightroom, PicsArt, and Pixlr. For simple adjustments, the photo app on your phone can crop images and adjust things like saturation, contrast, and brightness.

It really is easy to bring your beloved Breyer models to life!

@emilys_plastic_ponies

Ever wanted to take a famous “splash photo?” To capture a splash, I find that the best way is to kick or throw the dirt, snow, or water, or use a cup or stick to direct it towards the horse. Take a video while “splashing” the horse and grab some screenshots that catch a good splash. I also use my phone camera’s burst mode while someone else splashes for me. I usually take hundreds of photos before I get one good splash, so don’t be discouraged!

Try to photograph around trees, lakes, and other natural elements. If you’re in an urban area, parks, golf courses and riding arenas can work too! Find elements that are in-scale with your models – if they’re too big, the photo won’t be as realistic. If they’re far enough away, though, some buildings like sheds and barns can add interest and appear in-scale due to forced perspective. Showing more sky than ground can also give your photos a unique feel.

To keep my camera at or below the horse’s eye level, I shoot with my iPhone’s camera upside-down and therefore closer to the ground. Finally, an overcast day is the best time to take photos of your models. This helps avoid overexposure and harsh shadows caused by direct sunlight.

I hope these tips will help you – good luck on your photography journey!

@lightningleoo

Composition - where your subject is in comparison to everything else - is a key factor to a pleasing photo. Make sure that your model has what is called “eye space.” This is achieved by leaving some space from both their head and where they’re looking to the edge of the photo. For running models, it gives them space to run.

Look for lines that can guide your eye to the model; pathway edges, the horizon, and fences all create excellent leading lines. Also, make sure your horizon line is level! Your photo will likely look a bit wonky if it isn’t.

Be aware of the colors in your background. Red, for example, is the most eye-catching color – if it’s in your background, it may distract a viewer’s eye. You can use this to your advantage: for example, putting a red halter on the horse will draw more attention to the model’s head. 

For another level of dimension, you can have your model interact with their environment. A jumping model can jump over a log, and others can navigate rocks, walk down a path, or look off at a pretty view. The possibilities are endless!

A beautiful photo doesn’t need to be taken in a picture-perfect natural park. Usually a little pathway in your neighborhood can produce incredible results! Using the magic of angles, you can turn that pathway into a gorgeous forest. Experiment with your phone and have fun!