So you REALLY Want a Photoshoot, but Can’t Afford it?

Im gonna be blunt and say it. I know the biggest thing that stops people booking an equine photoshoot. It’s money.

Or more specifically, it’s the guilt around spending money on themselves.

Because us horsey folk are funny little creatures. We’ll spend hundreds on tack, physio, rugs, supplements, shoes, lessons, entries, feed, transport, emergency vet bills, and random numnah purchases we absolutely did not need.

But the second it comes to spending money on something for us?

We deeply guard our our bank account.

So let’s talk about it properly.

An equine photoshoot is a luxury. I’m not going to pretend it isn’t.

An equine photoshoot is not food, rent, hay, farrier money, insurance, or an emergency vet fund.

It is a luxury.

But that does NOT mean it is silly, pointless, or selfish! For most of us, our horses are not “just horses” they are huge parts of our lives. They get us through horrible seasons. They give us purpose and they become part of who we are.

Wanting beautiful, emotional, powerful images of a horse who means the world to you? I don’t think that is stupid at all. I think it is very human.

Why It Feels Hard To Justify

I completely understand why people hesitate. The cost of living is ridiculous you don’t need to tell me. Everything is more expensive. Horses were already financial chasms before the economy decided to go haywire.

So when you’re thinking about booking a photoshoot, your brain might start going:

“Can I justify this?”

“Should I be spending this on something more sensible?”

“What if my horse doesn’t behave?”

“What if I hate how I look?”

“What if I regret spending the money?”

“What if people think I’m being dramatic?”

“I literally can’t afford this rn.”

…. Those are normal thoughts.

But sometimes the fear is not just really about affordability, it is often subconsciously about permission to do something for ourselves (I said it bro).

The Guilt

This is the part I see all the time. People are happy to spend money on their horse, but feel weird about spending money on anything that involves themselves. But you are literally part of your horse’s story too. You are not just the person who pays the bills, fills the haynets, books the dentist, and shovels sh*t.

The version of you that exists with this horse, right now in this chapter of your life, matters.

One day, these images will mean more than they do now.

That is just the truth of loving animals whose lives are shorter than ours.

What My Clients Usually Spend

Most of my clients spend somewhere between £400 and £800+, depending on what they choose and what they want from their photoshoot. (I can feel you’re about to click away, stick with me here).

That might be the photoshoot itself, digital images, prints, wall art, albums, or extras.

I know that sounds like a big chunk of money when you look at it all at once. Because it is. And no, I am not saying everyone has this money just lying around and most people don’t.

BUT spread over six months, it becomes a lot more realistic.

Saving £400 over six months

That works out at roughly:

£67 per month

£15 per week

About £2.20 per day

Saving £800 over six months

That works out at roughly:

£134 per month

£31 per week

About £4.40 per day

I’m not going to be one of those people who says “just stop buying coffee” as if a latte is the only thing standing between you and crazy riches. BUT small swaps can make a difference, especially when it’s for something you genuinely want.

Easy Things You Could Cut Back On For Six Months

Here are a few examples.

  - Takeaway coffees (ok I said it when I said I wouldn’t, I only know because I’m guilty).

Three takeaway coffees a week at around £4 each is about £12 per week.

Over six months, that is around £312.

That is a decent chunk of a photoshoot.

- Phat Takeaways

One takeaway a week at £25 is about £100 per month.

Over six months, that is around £600.

That is right in the middle of what many clients spend.

- Random subscriptions

A few forgotten subscriptions can quietly drain money every month.

For example:

£10 streaming service

£8 app subscription

£12 editing, fitness, or shopping app

£5 random thing you forgot you signed up for

That is £35 per month.

Over six months, that is £210.

Not life changing money on its own, but very useful when you are trying to save for something.

- Horsey impulse buys

I say this with love, but horse owners are absolute crazies for buying things we don’t need. Its me, I’m crazy.

Another saddle pad. Another base layer. Another pair of boots. Another “it was in the sale” purchase.

If you skipped one £40 impulse buy a month for six months, that is £240.

That could go straight into your photoshoot fund.

- Selling unused tack

Most of us have unused rugs, boots, bits, saddle pads, jackets, show gear, or random horse stuff sitting around.

Selling a few bits could easily cover part of your photoshoot without touching your normal monthly income.

Your horse probably does not need seven saddle pads in slightly different shades of blue.

I am sorry. Someone had to say it 😆

"What about the deposit?”

To secure your photoshoot date, I require a £150 deposit.

And I do appreciate that £150 is still a lot of money for some people.

I never want to be flippant about that, because I know everyone’s situation is different and money isn’t easy to talk about.

But the deposit exists for a reason.

It means I am blocking that date out of my diary for you. I am turning away other work for that slot. I am starting the admin, planning, emails, client journey, design prep, and all the behind the scenes work that happens long before I ever pick up a camera.

So yes, it protects my business. BUT it also helps you.

Because once your date is booked, you have something real in the diary! It gives you an anchor and a goalpost. Something exciting to work towards instead of another “I’ll do it one day” thing.

If your shoot is six months away, that gives you six months to save, plan outfits, think about styling, sell unused tack, split payments, and actually enjoy the build up process.

Not buried under “maybe next year.”

And if you cannot afford the £150 deposit straight away? I am not judging you. I have literally been homeless before (true story).

Use the saving ideas in this post. Set up a little pot. Sell a few bits. Skip one takeaway. Put aside £10 here and there. Make the deposit your first mini goal.

And also, because I am actually human, you can reach out.

I am not going to lower the deposit for absolutely everyone, because that would defeat the point of having one and I do still have a business to run.

But I do know what real life is like.

If you are serious about booking and you just need a slightly different arrangement to make it workable, message me. I am always open to a proper conversation.

The answer might not always be yes, but I will never judge you for asking.

Clever Ways To Pay For Your Photoshoot

There are ways to make a photoshoot feel more manageable without panic paying for everything in one go.

• Book further ahead. You do not have to book for next week.

If your shoot is six months away, you have six months to spread the cost.

• Use instalments. Payments can be split into instalments after your deposit is paid.

So, for example, if your shoot is in six months’ time, you can spread the remaining balance over those months instead of paying everything at once. This is one of the easiest ways to make the experience feel more manageable, especially if you like knowing exactly what is going out each month.

You do not have to have the full amount sitting there right now. You just need a realistic plan, a date to work towards, and the willingness to stop treating the thing you really want like it is automatically irresponsible.

• Create A Photoshoot Savings Pot

Set up a separate savings pot and put little bits into it when you can. Money from selling tack. Money you would have spent on a takeaway. Birthday money. A random refund. It all adds up.

• Ask For It As A Gift

If people ask what you want for your birthday or Christmas, you could ask for contributions towards your photoshoot. I personally think that is much more meaningful than people buying you random stuff you do not need.

I Am Open To Trades And Collaborations

I also want to be honest about this. In the current economy, I am open to trades and collaborations where it genuinely benefits both of us.

I cannot accept every offer, because photography is my job. It pays my bills, feeds my horses, keeps the business running, and allows me to keep creating this level of work.

But I am open to a conversation if you have something genuinely valuable to offer!

That might be:

• A beautiful location

• Luxury accommodation

• A useful service

• A brand collaboration

• Access to something unique

• Styling, wardrobe, props, florals, or creative input

• Unique/fantasy/medieval horse tack

• Something that helps both of our businesses

• Or something else!

The key thing is that it needs to be a fair exchange of value. Not “I’ll tag you on Instagram” because xposure does not pay the hay bill. Tragically.

But a proper collaboration that helps us both? I am open to that.

Let’s Talk About Cheap Photographers

There will always be someone cheaper. Always.

There will be people charging £20, £30 £50, £100 all in, handing over a huge gallery and calling it a day. Wham bam, thanks m’am.

And if that is what you want, that is fine.

But it is not the same thing. A cheap photoshoot and a high end, fully produced, styled, and planned equine portrait experience are not interchangeable.

You are not just paying for someone to press a button. You are paying for years of experience, safety, styling guidance, posing help, editing, lighting, planning, insurance, artistic direction, and the ability to create something that feels like YOU.

You are also paying for someone who knows how to work with horses at a professional and experienced level.

If you want something polished, emotional, artistic, luxury, and properly thought through, then you need someone who knows how to do that.

And yes, you do usually get what you pay for.

This Is Not For Everyone

I do not think everyone should book a photoshoot. If it would put you under financial stress, now is not the right time. If you do not value photography, this is probably not the right thing to spend money on. If you only want the cheapest option possible, I am probably not your photographer.

And that is okay.

But if you know you want this, and the only thing stopping you is the money fear, there are ways to make it feel calmer and more planned.

• You can book ahead.

• You can use instalments.

• You can save gradually.

• You can sell unused horse gear.

• You can ask about options.

You can treat it like something exciting to work towards instead of something you have to about and scramble to justify.

Because most people do not regret having beautiful images of the horse they love.

They regret waiting until it is too late.

And that is the bit I never want for you.

So if this has been sitting in the back of your mind, start planning. Not necessarily booking today, just planning.

Look at your options. Ask the questions. Start the savings pot. Think about what you would want to create.

Your horse deserves to be remembered like art.

And honestly?

So do you. Want a free quote so you can start saving? Complete my photoshoot builder and you can start saving for the photoshoot of dreams!

Click Here to Build Your Photoshoot