Using Flash For Horse Photography, Which Lighting Modifier Should I Use
When photographing horses, especially when trying to create horse portrait style images, not only can the choice of lighting modifier make or break the image, but just as importantly, the choice of modifier may be determined by the location and weather conditions, together with the nature and colour of the horse, so which lighting modifier should you use? Photography is subjective, so the aim of everything typed out in this blog, is to provide some foundation ideas (starting points) Like everything in life you have to practice, reflect and learn from what did not work and question why. There are numerous books about photography and lighting, find one that you enjoy and can understand and read it over and over again. There are also some good videos on YouTube and the web too, that can teach you about the basic principles of using flash and how to modify it. If you are completly new to using flashl learn about the basics of lighting (using flash) first.
I decided to write this blog, as when I started out photographing horses with flash, finding information was near on impossible in relation to lighting a horse, unless it were studio based. All of the images on my website K2photographic.com are taken on location, using off camera flash, I hope you find what I share of some use.
Horses can be unpredictable, so spend some time prior to a shoot talking to the owner and getting to know the horse as best you can. Introduce the horse to your equipment slowly, fire a few test flashes with the horse at least 30 feet away from the light. Slowly and safely move the horse closer to the light, so they can get used to the flash firing, if the horse is spooked during this stage you may have to make the decision that the horse is too sensitive to flash and it would be unwise and could be a safety risk to continue. Your first concern should be for the wellbeing and safety of the horse, yourself and other people assisting the shoot. As the photographer you will need to take control and say, we will not be using flash for this shoot.
If the horse is not affected by the flash firing, your next challenge is to work out which lighting modifier is best suited to the task in hand. Horses have large, curved, reflective surfaces (coats), prominent facial structure, and can be easily startled, so your choice of modifier will affect both aesthetics and practicality. if it’s windy a softbox and umbrella will cause you potential safety risks, so don’t use them. If it’s too windy for a softbox or umbrella would a hard reflector be suitable and safer to use? Always think about safety first.
Photographing animals indoors and outdoors is not easy, so adding lighting to the mix will make the task even more of a challenge, even with years of experience, I still find myself having to think on my feet occasionally in terms of which lighting modifier to use. Personally, I have found that despite the stress, this is often when my lighting technique develops and improves, some of my best images have been as a result of thinking on my feet. However, sometimes I do fail despite all my planning and thinking on my feet.
Below is a breakdown of some of the lighting modifiers for horse portrait photography that I have used with flash, I have tried to outline the advantages and disadvantages from my experiences of each of the modifiers used and I hope it provides some starting points.
In terms of flash power, every image on this blog, each strobe (flash) is no more than 300 watts of poweer.
- Large Softbox (Octabox or Rectangular, 90–150 cm / 36–60”) Image example on the right
Best for: Classic equine portraits, beauty-style lighting, full-body softness.
✔ Advantages
- Soft, even light that wraps nicely around the contours of the horse.
- Excellent catchlights in the eyes.
- Controlled spill, helpful outdoors to avoid lighting the background unintentionally.
- Works well for both studio-style stable portraits and controlled outdoor environments.
✘ Disadvantages
- Large footprint—horses may be spooked or bump or brush against such a large modifier.
- Can act like a sail outdoors; requires sandbags or an assistant.
- Will suck power from your flash, far from ideal on bright days
- Slower to set up.
- Umbrellas (Shoot-through or Reflective, 45”–60”) Image example on the right
Best for: Quick, soft lighting outdoors or on-location where portability matters.
✔ Advantages
- Super portable and quick to set up.
- Excellent big soft light—ideal for horse headshots and ¾ body portraits.
- Cheaper and more portable than most softboxes.
- Can be effective on cloudy days or shady areas
✘ Disadvantages
- Less control: lots of spill, which may light parts of the animal unintentionally.
- Prone to blowing over outdoors.
- Shoot-through umbrellas can make horses flinch due to the bright flash diffusion close to them.
- Beauty Dish (White interior, 27”–33” with Strip Softboxe Image example on the right.
Best for: Detail-focused portraits of the head/neck, show horses, fine-art style.
✔ Advantages
- Crisp, sculpted light: reveals detail in muzzle and eye contours beautifully.
- Less spill than umbrellas; tighter light pattern.
- Useful for creating dramatic rim and side light.
✘ Disadvantages
- Can be too contrasty for dark-coated horses.
- Works best when fairly close—may be intimidating to some horses.
- Requires more precise positioning.
Strip Softboxes (Narrow, e.g. 12×36” or 12×48”
Best for: Rim lighting, edge highlights along the mane, neck, or body.
✔ Advantages
- Beautiful, controlled rim light for fine-art equine portraits.
- Narrow shape prevents unwanted spill.
- Great for multi-light setups.
✘ Disadvantages
- Not suitable as a primary light—too narrow for full coverage.
- Requires stands placed to the side or behind—some horses may shy away from objects near their hindquarters.
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Large Gridded Softbox with Stripbox Image example on the right.
Best for: Dramatic equine portraits, full-body illumination.
✔ Advantages
- Soft, even light that wraps nicely around the contours of the horse.
- Excellent catchlights in the eyes.
- Controlled spill, helpful outdoors to avoid lighting the background unintentionally.
- Works well for both studio-style stable portraits and controlled outdoor environments.
Large gridded Softbox & Strip Softboxe Image example on the right.
✘ Disadvantages
- Large footprint—horses may be spooked or bump or brush against such a large modifier.
- Can act like a sail outdoors; requires sandbags or an assistant.
- Will suck power from your flash, far from ideal on bright days
- Slower to set up.
Strip Softboxes (Narrow, e.g. 12×36” or 12×48”
Best for: Rim lighting, edge highlights along the mane, neck, or body.
✔ Advantages
- Beautiful, controlled rim light for fine-art equine portraits.
- Narrow shape prevents unwanted spill.
- Great for multi-light setups.
✘ Disadvantages
- Not suitable as a primary light—too narrow for full coverage.
- Requires stands placed to the side or behind—some horses may shy away from objects near their hindquarters.
Scrims / Diffusion Panels Large 6×6 ft or 8×8 ft (I have never used these)
Best for: Natural-light horse portraits (not technically a flash modifier but commonly paired with flash).
✔ Advantages
- Produces extremely soft, natural light, like a huge softbox.
- Horses tolerate them well—they look like simple fabric screens.
- Excellent in sunlight to avoid patchy highlights.
✘ Disadvantages
- Not ideal in strong wind.
- Requires grip gear or assistants.
- Slower to set up compared to a simple umbrella.
Below are a few suggestions on lighting modifiers depending on style and setting.
Fine-art black background portraits (popular stable-door shots)
- Large softbox or octa as key light
- Strip boxes for rim/hair light
- You can also fire a flash at a portable reflector held and angled by an assistant
Outdoor environmental portraits (when there is no to little wind)
- Large umbrella or parabolic umbrella
- Softbox if you need more control on spill
Detailed head portraits
- Beauty dish for sculpting
- Large softbox or octa for a softer, classic look
In my next blog in relation to Using Flash For Horse Portraits, I will be sharing my expereince of using Hard Reflectors with flash and why they are now my main choice of lighting modifers.
I aim to answer any coment or questions posted in relation to this blog. If you have any suggestions in relation to this blog, you can email me at fletcher@k2photographic.com