What to wear for your Horse & Rider Session

A TKP Guide to Choosing Outfits That Feel Like You & Photograph Beautifully

If there is one question I get all the time before a session, it’s:

“What in the world am I supposed to wear?”

And I get it. You finally book the session, you’re excited, you’ve got the horse cleaned up in your head already… and then suddenly you’re staring at your closet like you’ve never owned clothes before. 😂

So first things first: don’t overthink it.

For most TKP equine portrait sessions, I recommend bringing two outfits — one casual and one dressy.

That gives us plenty of variety without turning your session into an entire wardrobe change marathon. We can get those relaxed, everyday-you images and then switch things up for something a little more polished and dramatic.

Start With Something Casual

Your casual outfit should feel comfortable and natural.

This is usually the look that gives us those easy, relaxed photos — walking with your horse, scratching their forehead, laughing because they absolutely refuse to put their ears forward, all the normal horse-person things.

Nice denim, a simple blouse, sweater, fitted top, boots, or even a casual dress can work beautifully.

The biggest thing I tell clients is to choose something that still feels like you.

If you never wear dresses and would spend the entire session feeling awkward in one, please don’t show up in a dress just because Pinterest told you equine photos require one.

I want you to look at your images and recognize yourself.

Then Bring Something a Little Dressier

Your second outfit is where we can change the whole feel of the session.

This can be a long flowy dress, a skirt and blouse, dressier jeans with a beautiful top, or whatever feels a little more elevated to you.

Flowy fabrics are one of my favorites for equine sessions because they add movement and photograph beautifully, especially when we have that soft evening light.

You absolutely do not have to show up looking like you’re headed to a gala. Think dressy for you, not dressy because someone else said you should be.

And Before You Go Shopping… Check With Me

This is the part people sometimes don’t realize:

TKP has a client closet.

I keep a large variety of clothing available for my clients to use during their sessions, and there is no extra charge to borrow something.

So before you panic-buy four dresses, send me a message.

I may already have something that works perfectly.

The client closet also gives us a little extra room to play during your session. Maybe you bring an outfit you love and we use one of mine for your second look. Maybe we decide at the session that a different color would work better with the location or your horse.

We can figure it out together.

Choosing Colors for Your Horse

This is where outfit planning gets a little more fun.

Your horse’s color can actually help guide what colors will look best in your photographs.

The goal isn’t to perfectly match your horse. We’re looking for colors that complement their coat and help both of you stand out without fighting for attention.

For chestnuts and sorrels, I love forest green, cream, navy, softer blues, and denim. Bays and dark bays are gorgeous with burgundy, olive, camel, ivory, and dusty blue. Black horses can handle those richer colors beautifully — emerald, burgundy, camel, charcoal, and softer greys all look amazing.

Grey horses are basically unfair because almost everything looks good on them, but slate blue, burgundy, sage, blush, and cream are some of my favorites.

Palominos and buckskins pair beautifully with white, mocha, rust, black, and dusty teal. For paints and pintos, denim blue, tan, black, rust, and cream usually work really well without competing with all of those gorgeous markings.

TKP Outfit Color Guide

[INSERT OUTFIT COLOR GUIDE IMAGE HERE]

Use the guide above as a starting point — not a set of rules.

If your favorite color isn’t listed beside your horse, that does not mean you can’t wear it.

Photography is way more fun when we stop treating everything like there’s one correct answer.

A Few Things I Usually Avoid

Bright neon colors tend to steal attention in photos, and super-busy patterns can sometimes distract from you and your horse.

I usually lean toward earthy colors, neutrals, muted shades, denim, jewel tones, and pieces with texture or movement.

That doesn’t mean everything has to be beige.

Please know I am not trying to turn every single TKP client into a walking neutral color palette. 😂

Color is GOOD. We just want the color to work with the overall look instead of becoming the only thing your eye sees.

And when you’re coordinating pieces, think complementary instead of matching.

Your horse does not need a burgundy halter because you’re wearing a burgundy dress. Your partner doesn’t need the exact same blue shirt as you. Everyone can look like they belong together without looking like a matching family Christmas pajama ad.

Don’t Forget About the Little Details

Shoes, jewelry, belts, hats, and other accessories can completely change an outfit.

Western hats can be beautiful for the right session. Boots almost always make sense around horses. Simple jewelry photographs well without being distracting.

And yes — please think about your shoes.

We are probably going to be standing in grass, dirt, a field, a barn aisle, or somewhere else that a pair of six-inch stilettos may deeply regret. 😂

Your session location matters just as much as the outfit itself.

Most Importantly — Wear Something You Feel Good In

This matters more than any color guide I could ever make.

If you feel uncomfortable in what you’re wearing, you’re going to think about it the entire session.

If you feel GOOD, it shows.

I can help pose you. I can fix hair. I can move fabric. I can tell you what to do with your hands when suddenly you’ve forgotten you’ve had hands your entire life.

You do not need to show up knowing how to model.

You just need to show up as yourself.

We’ll handle the rest.

The Short Version?

Bring one casual outfit and one dressy outfit, stick with colors that complement your horse and the location, avoid anything super neon or distracting, and choose pieces you actually feel comfortable wearing.

And if outfit planning makes you want to throw your entire closet out the window?

Message me.

That is exactly why I’m here — and why the TKP client closet exists.

Your portrait session should feel fun, personal, and like the two of you.

Because at the end of the day, the outfit is just part of the picture.

You and your horse are the part that matters.