Safety First: How Horse Photoshoots are Conducted in Kurgan

Lyudmila Soldatchenkova, a resident of Kurgan, conducts equine photoshoots in her spare time. For eight years, she has been seriously engaged in photographing horses. Ahead of the Year of the Horse (in the Chinese zodiac), she answered questions from 45.RU and shared vivid photos with these graceful creatures.

— Lyudmila, what came first in your life—horses or photography? How did you become an equine photographer?

— If we consider photography as a professional activity, then horses came first. I was involved in the equestrian section at KGSHA (Kurgan State Agricultural Academy), we used an old Canon DSLR to film training sessions, then reviewed the footage, analyzed mistakes. We took many photos with our favorite horses.

After graduating (I completed the faculty of industrial and civil construction at KGSHA), I immersed myself in work, and unfortunately, had no time for horses. In 2017, I returned to photography as a hobby—photographing dogs and horses, then switched to shooting athletes with horses, competitions. Gradually, clients from outside the equestrian world also appeared.

— How in-demand are equine photoshoots in Kurgan? Who orders them?

— It«s a niche product, and also not easy to organize. There is demand, but since I have a busy schedule with my main job, and photography is a hobby, sometimes I refer interested people to my colleagues. If it»s important for a client to work specifically with me, we adjust. Most often, I work with athletes and horse owners. Overall, I«m convinced that people who come (and make it) to the shoot are sincerely in love with horses.

— Is there seasonality to this service?

— More or less yes, in summer there are more interested people, a wider choice of styles and locations, it«s easier to adapt to weather conditions, and the daylight hours are longer. Although every season has its own mood and aesthetics. It depends on personal preferences, I think.

— What are the nuances? Horses are living beings that require a special approach. Does everyone manage to establish contact? Is it necessary for beautiful photos to turn out?

— The shoot starts with an introduction between the subject and the horse. Since horses are non-verbal animals and quickly read body language, facial expressions, energy, it«s important to relax and trust me, not to try to control everything; I and the instructor will handle that for the subject. Both I and the instructor are experienced equestrians, we understand horse language and react promptly, that»s our responsibility and job. I should note that only tested, good-natured, and healthy animals participate in the shoots, safety is our top priority.

If a person is pathologically afraid of horses, it just takes a bit more time. But I don«t recall any cases where this problem couldn»t be solved. There was a case where a model didn«t want to get in the saddle due to fear, but overcame herself, sat down, and then didn»t want to dismount, she liked it so much. I«m very proud of her! And there was a shoot where the subject, with no experience, trusted so much that without hesitation, at my request, lay back on the horse»s back. The horse was without a saddle. Every shoot and subject is unique and individual. We try to come to an agreement with everyone.

— How to quickly establish contact with horses?

— Trust, relax, be yourself. It«s cliché, but it works best. The process of establishing contact with a horse trains sensitivity and understanding of non-verbal signals. A horse immediately reacts to emotional state and interaction style: if a person is calm and trusting, the animal reciprocates; if anxious—it becomes tense. But, as I said, only experienced, tested horses participate in the shoots, they help in making friends, especially for a carrot.

— The next year is the Year of the Horse (in the Chinese zodiac). Do you expect more orders?

— A photoshoot with a horse is not a frequent event, and also not cheap. I would base it on income here.

— What interesting, funny, or stressful incidents have occurred during equine photoshoots?

— On shoots with people unfamiliar with the equestrian world, I don«t recall anything stressful. At most, a horse might bump with its head or swish its tail. But it»s a living being, not a prop. With athletes, horses have run away, but that«s also rare, and the horse always runs back to the stable.

From the interesting things—last summer, there was an opportunity to shoot with horses in a water body. A challenge for both me and the instructor, as she has to swim each time with the shoot participants. But the emotions from the process and the result are always amazing.

Also from unusual experiences—this was a shoot last summer in a herd of Orlov Trotter mares. A broodmare herd is its own community, with a clear hierarchy and strict rules. It was thrilling to be there. It takes your breath away from these living rivers of primal strength.

— What does an equine photoshoot give a person? Is it worth trying for everyone?

— I would say that photoshoots with horses help us know ourselves better, overcome fear, train our social skills. A kind of personal growth. Moreover, horses are powerful therapists, helping to unload both body and mind. In this case, the photos are a pleasant, beautiful bonus.

— How should one prepare for an equine photoshoot? What safety measures are there?

— If we plan shots on horseback, and the person has never been in a saddle, then good preparation is a riding training session the day before the shoot. It«s not a mandatory condition, as we carefully accompany the subjects throughout the shoot and help with everything, but it»s possible.

Otherwise, I help put together the looks, take some things from my props, select the horse myself, and arrange with the instructor.

Safety measures when working with horses are quite extensive. The main thing during shoots is to listen to the instructor«s directions, not make sudden movements, and not shout. And, of course, not to walk behind the horse.

— Where do you photograph? At the racetrack and in its surroundings?

— I shoot everywhere there are horses and locations that suit my style. In Kurgan and the surrounding area, in Shadrinsk, in Saint Petersburg. I prefer nature—forests, fields.

— Do you have your own horse?

— Yes, in November I became the owner of a filly of the Orlov Trotter breed. By the way, this year the breed turned 250 years old! In the upcoming summer racing season, she will already be tested at the racetrack, come to cheer, immerse yourself in trotting races. They are held on Saturdays every two weeks, be sure to come to the derby and the Governor«s Cup of Kurgan Oblast. Admission is always free. You»ll most likely meet me there, come say hello! I«ll tell you about horses and races.