Black background portraits are timeless. They strip away distractions, allowing your horse’s beauty, character and presence to take centre stage in a clean, elegant way.
But one of the most common things I hear from horse owners is:
“I’d love a photo like that, but we don’t have anywhere suitable.”
I’m here to tell you—you probably do.
What is a black background horse portrait?
These images are simple, yet powerful. Your horse is lit beautifully against a pitch-black background, creating a studio-like result that feels both bold and intimate. The focus is entirely on your horse, every feature, expression and muscle subtly defined.
These portraits make for stunning large wall art or statement pieces in albums. They're a favourite among my clients because they’re so classic, they never go out of style.
You don’t need a studio (or a fancy stable)
There’s a misconception that these photos require a professional studio or a big, high-end barn with fancy architecture. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Here’s what we really need:
- A barn, stable, shed, float shelter or even an open garage with a shadowy interior
- A wide entrance to let natural light spill onto your horse from the front
- A horse that has been desensitised to that spot and will stand comfortably at the edge of the entryway
With that setup, I use my camera settings to expose for the highlights (your horse), letting the background naturally fall into shadow. A little bit of magic in the editing process finishes the look.
And you’d be amazed how often the perfect setup is sitting right in front of you.
“But I’m still not sure…”
If you’re unsure whether your space will work—just send me a quick phone snap! Stand a few metres away from the barn or shelter entrance and take a photo straight on. Even if it doesn’t look like much, chances are I’ll see potential. I've created black background portraits in:
- backyard stables
- shade shelters in paddocks
- barn doorways at private agistment properties
- and even dark carports!
The key isn’t the size or the fanciness of the building—it’s the direction of the light and how the horse is positioned.
The emotional power of simplicity
One reason I love creating black background portraits is how much they highlight the soul of your horse. Without any clutter or scenery to compete for attention, your horse’s unique features, soft eyes, and strong presence come through so clearly.
They make beautiful memorial portraits too—stripped back and sincere. For many horse owners, these are the images they frame and hang where they’ll see them every day.
And for younger horses, these portraits make a beautiful record of what they look like at this stage of life—graceful, cheeky, inquisitive, or powerful.
They don’t take long to capture
Another bonus? These portraits are usually quick to take. They’re ideal for adding on to a regular horse photography session or capturing at the very start before your horse gets too excited or distracted.
All we need is a few quiet moments to position your horse at the doorway. I’ll guide you through the pose (even if someone needs to hold the horse just out of frame), and we can usually capture the final image in a matter of minutes.
Thinking about it?
If you’ve ever admired those dramatic black background portraits but assumed they were out of reach, think again. More often than not, the perfect spot is already sitting on your property.
You don’t need anything special, just the right light and a little know-how (which I’ll bring!).
If you’re curious whether your property could work, just send me a message or a quick phone photo of your stable or shed. I’d be happy to take a look and let you know what’s possible.
Let’s create something beautifully simple that you’ll treasure forever.
Leave A Comment
Comments