My Latest Adventure Shoot: Horses! Dogs! Cats! Heaven!

Hello all!

I have been having the most incredible three day shoot. I knew about this shoot just before Christmas, and have been worried that I would bump into a wall/fall over/get ill beforehand. I took very careful steps everywhere I went, tried to stay extra vigilant when crossing the road and didn’t drink or go out for late nights beforehand. It was a big job and I just didn’t want to pull a ‘Rebecca’ and get the lurgee or injure myself from not looking out for banana skins!

By the time Monday rolled around, I was pretty geared up. The first day was shooting inside and I was shocked. Usually with a commercial job like this, every tiny detail from the hair to the level of water in the glass and the placement of props is minutely organised and agonised over but the client, Zoe, was mega chill! She wanted things to look natural. We didn’t over-shoot and she seemed content with the images.

Day 2 rolled around and what an adventure! We headed to the beach in Sussex, though unfortunately the location van got stuck in the mud and had to be hauled out before we’d even begun!

Hair and make up was natural and my outfit was MEGA cool – sorta an artsy Jesus-y Jedi with boots – so my usual look really. That or a thin silk dress for an alternative. We shot around the beach and I’m not gonna like – I WAS FEEEERRRREEEEEEEEZING! My body shook with shivers and my bum seemed to shiver to it’s own beat, separate form my shoulders, like I was accidentally twerking. But even though it was hard, we weren’t shooting for too long.

We then had lunch in a beautiful house on the seafront with a lady called Carolyn. It was a real artist’s retreat (though I’m not sure whether artists actually retreat to this place) with nooks and crannies filled with 40 years worth of objects. It was rustic, homely and just my style, and so was the food – welcome warm soup, home-made bread, fruit, roast veg, rice – I filled my boots! Best of all there were two daschunds: one the mum and her 4 month old puppy as well as two friendly cats. I was with a team of animal lovers and we were in HEAVEN!

Then we went to a river front for a last blast of freezing cold shooting, and as luck would have it, two very photogenic swans swam by. The assistant, Scott, told me to shout, “Ducky ducky ducky!” In a high pitch to get them over and lo and behold, they did come over beautifically for the shot! If anyone would have walked past they would have seen me, Swan Jesus, shouting, “Ducky Ducky Ducky!” Then turning to the camera and pouting.

Scott later said he made it up on the spot (it did work though!)

We then went to a grand old hotel on the seafront called The Grand Hotel, which was truly old school and beautiful. After a warm, warm dinner we were collapsing with tiredness from all that cold outdoorsiness and retired to bed super early and all slept like the dead.

The next day I ate a MASSIVE breakfast and we shot in the hotel lobby, which was super duper quick and speedy because we only had an hour. Then, after a final shot outside the hotel and my last time having to have bear arms in the cold, we headed to lunch and then….

AND THEN…

WE SHOT AT A RIDING SCHOOL! There were friendly horses EVERYWHERE! AND DOGS! We were all going a bit crazy because it was just so exciting. Zoe wanted us to look around and choose which horse to shoot with, and there was simply no contest. Diamond was a thoroughbred who was certainly pretty but had just the kindest, sweetest temperament I’ve ever witnessed in a horse. She gave our nuzzly hugs to EVERYONE and for a city gal like who dreamed of having a connection with a horse through literature read as a child a la Warhorse/Black Beauty/Belle in Ann of Green Gables/Little Blackie in True Grit, it was pure magic.

That’s not to say it was easy!

Stroking a horsey in a stable is a LOT different to shooting with a horse who is wary of flash, outside in super strong, cold winds SURROUNDED BY GRASS IT WANTS TO EAT. Worst of all my hat just kept flying off and the light was constantly changing, so sometimes I’d finally get Diamond’s head up picturesquely, my hat would be wedged on securely and my fringe would be behaving – but the camera wouldn’t play. Or the camera settings were perfect and my hat would fly off. I won’t lie, it was a bit stressful with the wind and if a big huge thoroughbred wants to eat grass, it’s damn well going to!

However, we just kept going and I have to say that Diamond was so well-behaved. We ended up in a different field and she stood so still and calmly for lots of shots, even curling her head over mine and nuzzling me, so the only thing I had to concentrate on was NOT CRYING WITH JOY.

Then, I was asked if I could ride. “Sure!” I said. I did lessons when I was about 8, for less than a year. ‘Can you ride without a saddle?’ “Of course!” (not). ‘Are you OK to not wear a helmet?’ “No problem!” (I leave everything I own to my parents). ‘Are you happy to mount the horse without steps?’ (I have no idea how but I guess I’m about to learn how!

So on I hopped, rather gracefully surprisingly, and as long as I gripped quite hard with my thighs I was totally calm and happy, as was Diamond. She was led by her owner, Ash, who I trusted implicitly as someone who grew up with horses and knew this one very well. So around and around we wandered. as I tried to look comfortable (that horse spine REALLY digs in. I see why saddles were invented…) and hoping that the flash didn’t make Diamond bolt. We only shot without a helmet for the last ten minutes or so, and I was pretty calm by then anyway. The stables owner said I was very calm and good with Diamond, and that’s why she was so calm, and that made me very proud!

This was the final shot, and about 1 in 20 were any good what with all of the variables. But all I know is that I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do a ‘sitting on a horse’ shoot and everything just felt so incredible: the friendly horse, the excited team, the beautiful setting. It was a really stupendous, momentous moment for me.

Getting off was surprisingly easy and I headed to the location van to defrost (I had barely noticed the cold with all my excitement) and head home for a well-deserved, comatose sleep.

To have modelled for as long as I have and still be challenged, surprised and gain new experiences is such a treat. I’ll always remember this shoot and remember Diamond snuggles if I need a boost.

Models – have you ever posed on a horse for a shoot?! How was it?!

Love Rebecca x

If you liked this you may also enjoy…