"Light and Grace in the Orchard" - Lyla, Tulip & Kirk
Every horse brings its own personality into a shoot and with Lyla we had two very different characters to enjoy. The result was a day full of elegance, fun and plenty of laughter that still makes me smile when I think back.
The Horses
Tulip arrived ready for her moment. She thrived in front of the camera, ears pricked, moving into every space like she knew exactly how good she looked. She gave us everything we asked for until she decided she was done and let us know it was time to head back to her stable. She loved the limelight and it suited her.
Kirk had a different energy. Patient, kind and easy to work with, he made the whole process feel effortless. He was just as much a star, happy to go wherever we guided him and always bringing a calmness to the atmosphere.
Photographing the two of them with Lyla felt joyful because each horse gave something unique.
The Setting
Their family home gave us endless backdrops. The long driveway lined with foliage, the rose bushes were soft and romantic (and easy to chomp on), and then there was the orchard. Horses weaving through apple and pear trees, sunlight filtering through the leaves, and Lyla right there in the middle of it all. It felt almost cinematic.
The Styling
Styling is one of my favourite parts of a shoot and Lyla embraced it completely. We talked about her natural style and how she wanted to be seen, then I raided her wardrobe. The clothes and shoes were incredible. We hung everything at the stables, pairing outfits with tack so we knew exactly what went with what.
That meant once the shoot started we could just enjoy the moment. No time wasted debating, just a smooth flow from one look to the next while Lyla laughed and played with her horses.
The Shoot
Tulip leaned into the attention as though she’d been waiting her whole life for it. Kirk was steady and consistent, happy to go along with whatever we had planned. Lyla brought it all together, one moment styled like a fashion muse and the next bursting into laughter when one of the horses nudged her.
Some of my favourite frames were the unscripted ones. Tulip pulling a face. Lyla giggling mid-pose. Kirk stepping in quietly as though he knew his job was to steady the moment. These are the little details that turn a shoot into a story.
The Artwork
When the shoot was finished, Lyla and Mum Ester chose their favourites carefully. Those portraits now hang throughout their family home, alongside Chloe’s, creating a gallery of sisters and their horses that feels both stylish and deeply personal. For me, there’s nothing better than seeing photographs come to life like that, filling a home with memories.
Reflection
Lyla’s shoot was joyful, stylish and full of personality. Tulip brought the sparkle, Kirk brought the calm, and Lyla tied it all together with her light and laughter. It was the kind of day that reminds me why I love creating these stories.
Your Story
Every horse has its quirks, its spark, its way of showing off. Tulip and Kirk had theirs, and Lyla’s portraits captured it beautifully. If you’d love to create your own shoot full of stories, laughter and a little glamour, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with me here and we can start planning your day.