A Whopping Win and a Beautiful Shoot – Carlie and Isabelle in Dorset
The day began quietly, with that soft golden light that only early mornings can bring. At 8.30am, the air still held a coolness from the night before, and a gentle mist lingered across the fields. The trees were just beginning to turn, their first hints of autumn glowing against the last of the summer green. It was the perfect start for my shoot with Carlie and her daughter Isabelle, the winners of my Kingston Maurward stand competition, who had won a £795 photography experience including travel and a beautifully framed 16-inch print.
Their home yard sits in the heart of Dorset, surrounded by peaceful countryside and filled with the sound of horses. Carlie and Isabelle keep their 2 now 3 ponies at home. 2 of them are retired and third being a cheeky Shetland. When I arrived, they greeted me with huge smiles, curlers in their hair and so much excitement for their shoot. They had listened carefully to my styling advice and had put together a beautiful selection of outfits. Some matched perfectly, while others showed off their individual style, creating the perfect balance between unity and personality.
We began by moving a lovely ornate bench in front of the willow tree where Isobel posed first with each horse. Later, Carlie joined her in the large open field, surrounded by that stunning sweep of colour as the season began to shift. The image of the two of them together from that moment became the one they chose for their framed wall art, now hanging proudly in their family home.
The whole morning was filled with laughter and calm energy. They had even left a patch of long grass for me to use in one of the sets, which is the kind of thoughtfulness that makes a shoot extra special. Every detail had been considered, from the horses’ gleaming coats to the way the soft morning light fell across the field, creating a collection of images that truly captured who they are.
When it came time for their image reveal, Carlie and Isobel were so excited to see the results. It was wonderful to watch their reactions as they saw both of them shining in the portraits and their horses captured so beautifully. They told me how much it meant to have these memories preserved, a story of their bond and the life they love together.
All of my image reveals take place in person, and I guide my clients through the process of choosing their favourites and bringing them into print. Seeing the photographs come to life as finished artwork means those memories can be enjoyed every single day. For me, that is what these shoots are all about, freezing a moment in time that can be treasured forever.
If you have been meaning to capture moments like these, do not wait for them to pass undocumented.
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