Friends, Photography, and Horses- What more could a girl want?

While my hobbies are many, I do happen to have my favourites. Horseback riding and photography just happen to be two of them. This past Sunday Megan and I drove out to see her horse on her Aunt/Grandmothers farm. Here I met several new people and four new horses. Legend was the old man, Chance was young and spirited gelding (who by the way stole my Dr. Pepper bottle), while Daniella was the big tough looking gal who actually was just a gentle giant retired from therapeutic riding, and then there was Megan's baby girl, Smooch, the smallest of the herd. (Don't let that fool you though, Smooch was "DA BOSS!")

Before I get ahead of myself, I don't want to lose you. Megan is one of my best friends. We met in 7th grade and have been joined at the hip since. Megan and I are constantly being told by people that we have twin personalities- and apparently we sound the same on the phone. Megan keeps her horse, Smooch, out on her Aunt's farm, which we decided to visit and take pictures on a typically-hot-but-fortunately-not-too-humid-Sunday-afternoon. It was suppose to storm all day long, but luckily it didn't and we only had to deal with sweat and horseflies.

I believe one of the best ways some one could spend their Sunday afternoon is on a farm hanging with a great friend, riding horses, and holding a photoshoot to help broaden my photography porfolio. Megan couldn't of been a better model, add a few horses and *one of the best (horse and model) photoshoots I've done so far, got even better. Unfortunately in our gallivanting around a gorgeous Carolina Farm we lost daylight and the camera had to go up. Nothing lasts forever right?


Megan, like me, has been riding horses for quite a while. We both enjoy riding bareback, Megan loves riding bareback so much, it's how she typically rides. So I taught Megan how to ride two-point, a valuable skill for riding English. Megan caught on quick and did wonderfully. Smooch (Meg's horse) on the other hand, wasn't to pleased with the fact she had to work. Her annoyance was obvious between her longing glances at the other horses in the field and her killer glares at me. But just like any good horse, Smooch trotted on. I think she did it more for her mommy rather than her mommy's best friend. (Of course.)

Before we completely wrapped up for the night Megan's grandmother rode with us to The Peruvian Paso (Flynn) Horse Farm, just up road. At this point the sun had sunk behind the pine trees and I wasn't getting enough natural to come up with good shots. I didn't want to turn my flash on in case it would spook the horses, but with adjustments and finally giving in I switched it on a got a few shots of their less than a year old stallion. Of course when I wasn't clicking away he ran around and showed off, but if I raised my camera to take a picture he had to come over and check out what I was doing. Figures, right?

Around eight o'clock we decided we should head on back to the farm so we could put the horses back up to the stables and so we said our goodbyes, thanked them for allowing our unannounced drop in and promised to return so we could see (and possibly experience) a Peruvian Paso under saddle. I believe we are expected to return to the Paso Farm this Sunday. (I suppose I should check with Megan!) We enjoyed our trip to the farm so much, we plan on going again this coming Sunday, and of course, I'm going to take my camera along with me. :]

*The Sunday afternoon before this shoot I had done a shoot with three friends and horses at Dobson Stables. A great photo op I will be writing about soon!