I tend to catch some flack and confusion for this one from time to time, and I do understand why! I like to use it as an opportunity to educate why this policy exists among horse show photographers and how exhibitors can best support them.

Reason #1: Copyright Law
Until you purchase your images and the final version ends up in your inbox, OR you have been provided consent/an image release, they are legally the property of the photographer - even if it’s you in the photo. Therefore, screenshotting and posting your proofs online without either of those conditions being met = theft.

Of course, if you need to screenshot them to zoom in and check that you aren’t making a crazy face or want to send them to your friends to help decide which ones to buy, that’s totally cool - I do it too.

Reason #2: Business & Finances
Like the majority of other horse show photographers, I am not paid by show associations to come shoot their events. Image sales are the only income I get from most shows, and before I pay myself, taxes and business expenses are the first to come out of those earnings - equipment, website subscriptions, gallery hosting, editing software, travel, food, etc.

When screenshots of proofs are posted with my watermark instead of purchased images, it’s not free advertising. It’s a very direct loss of income. I like to joke that horse show photography must be the only job where we show up to work and hope to get paid, but it is absolutely a reality for a lot of us! Aside from the costs involved of running a business, we spend hours upon hours shooting, culling, sorting, uploading, and editing, all so we can continue to provide an excellent standard of service for exhibitors. That time spent is really difficult to justify if we’re losing money in the process.

I promise you, we are not out here getting rich on shooting horse shows, and definitely not trying to be mean or petty by asking you not to post watermarked proofs online. We shoot shows because we love it, and at the end of the day, we just want to be paid for the work that we do so we can continue to offer our services!

For your convenience, there is an online store on every horse show gallery where you can purchase digitals or prints. Payment options include credit/debit via PayPal or e-transfer.

Alternatively, you can pre-pay for a Pick 5 or Pick 10 package (or your entire gallery) with cash or Square and select your photos later!

I have the following delivery targets:
Digitals: 1-2 weeks via email
Prints: 3-5 weeks, depending on lab turnaround and shipping

I do aim for MUCH less. The sooner you order following the show, the faster I’m able to be (usually 1-2 business days for digitals). That being said, these timelines may get stretched a bit during peak seasons. I’m a one-woman show with a full-time day job, and need to pull myself away from the computer every now and then to sleep and get some recharge time in with my loved ones.

Absolutely! A variety of additional editing services are available to purchase as add-ons to your show photos.