It was one of those very ‘English’ summery days in August when the weather just can’t make its mind up, as we headed to Sower Hill in Uffington near Oxford to meet mum Sarah and her two lovely daughters Grace and Freya for their equine photoshoot. One minute it was windy and overcast, the next sunny, then a shower came through, then it was sunny again…..you get the picture!!

Inspite of the changeable weather, we had a ball with this shoot. We had met Sarah and her girls at Badminton in the Spring, and were thrilled when they booked the session. The location was beautiful, with a small woodland, open fields and a lovely treelined avenue right next to their home. Perfect!

“My two daughters, Freya and Grace had a fantastic afternoon with Jo and Nic and their 3 ponies and dogs! It was very professionally done yet fun all the same. Jo and Nic were very patient, spent hours with the children and animals and the results were fantastic. A great afternoon and pictures to treasure!”

 

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

A little bit about our models: 10-year-old Grace rides ‘Yogi Bear’, a pretty 12.2 hh bright bay Cob; 12-year-old Freya rides and competes her Connemara pony ‘Poker’, but had also recently acquired a new ride, a sweet but slightly more nervous Irish Sports mare called ‘Lily’.

When we arrived, the girls were almost ready, with their outfits chosen and the ponies clean. We had quick walk around the location, then were ready to rock.

We started with a few stable shots of them with each of the ponies, and the ponies being typically cheeky and funny, like any good pony should be! We wanted to get at least one shot of both girls with all the ponies, so we then headed to the lane just outside the yard, where thankfully all the four-leggeds were better behaved…..

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

The family also has several dogs, and Sarah had asked for a few pictures of the girls with their 11 year-old labrador, ‘Paddy’, whom the family have owned for 10 years –  the girls clearly adored this big teddy bear! With all that done, they got changed and we headed into the woodlands above their yard for a few shots on foot and bareback.

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photography Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

After a welcome tea break while we all re-grouped, we headed up to the hill above the farm for the final few shots. We were blessed with an incredible evening sky full of soft colourful clouds – amazing – and just perfect for a shot of each of the girls with their ponies using our flash lighting to really capture the beauty of the ‘moment’.

Thanks Sarah, Grace and Freya, we think you’re both amazing young equestrians and we loved having an afternoon with you all!

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

Horse photographer Oxfordshire Jo Hansford

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