Snap Decisions: Show Photography Etiquette

As much as you want to just take that one picture to post, please don’t, be respectful. Know that we have spent countless hours traveling, packing, editing, and learning to give you the quality images and it is not just pushing the button, photographers profits are not guaranteed the moment we set up. The people who are shooting ring side with cameras who give away the photos, do not understand that it is NOT a matter of us feeling threatened by them or that they may take a better photo or capture a special moment, but they are harming the horse show photography business and the services the show offers. We need to educate the people, and the consumers who gladly accept and support the “hobby photographers”; The hobby photographers are taking away photos that someone should have purchased from the official show photographer. Photographers want you to have and enjoy your images, we want to come back and offer all services to the show, not just one part of a horse show. If the official photographer is not supported in and out of the arena, we cannot profit or return to offer all the services that allow every exhibitor the opportunity to be photographed. For example; if someone decided to give away grooming supplies or equipment every time someone needed them, instead of supporting the tack vendor on grounds, the tack vendor would not return.

Some of the biggest issues I am currently seeing are the amateur/hobby photographers taking show “candids” and submitting to magazines or posting on Facebook and giving them away. They need to know that the official photographer usually has that covered, and it is a matter of respect. If this is something you are wanting to do at a show, please approach the photographer before taking pictures, introduce yourself and ask if candids is something they will be covering. Talk with them, ask questions, and be respectful. If they have that covered at the show, please do not take pictures anyways. 

Another big issue that is seen way to often is screen shots posted on social media, with the caption “don’t worry I will be buying this picture from the photographer”. Consumers need to know that is not acceptable! All photographers offer many different versions of photos for different uses and turn around times are usually very quick on social media images. Those proofs are for viewing images only. The photo is usually right off the camera, and does not represent them or the exhibitor and horse to the best of its ability. Purchase the image and allow us to crop it in, fix the red eyes, and insert the show logo/credit and make that image perfect for you.

Talk to the photographer, Establish a relationship and ask questions! If you have a question on image use or what you can and can’t do with an image, just ask, this is why we offer many options for purchasing the images. We want happy customers with images they will cherish for a lifetime. If you are doing a session or even looking for a particular arena image, talk with them and let them know what kind of images you are looking for and what kind of theme you want the images to have, posed, casual, your ideas.  If you are requesting arena photos, give them your back number and classes and something about you and your horse that will stand out and make it easy for the photographer to identify you. When filling out paperwork, please make sure it is complete, write down any notes or special requests you have. Remember we take thousands of photos at a show, and we do not want to forget to add any signs or prizes to your photo, however we need the notation to do so.