"I grew up around horses at my uncle and aunt's farm. I've was on a horse at age 3," Jennifer said with growing excitement as we schemed our next portrait experience together. As luck would have it, I'd recently connected with an incredible local barn just outside of Winston-Salem, NC that runs as a rescue for farm animals and does riding lessons for anyone interested in the equestrian life. True Heart Farms was going to be the perfect fit!

After one rain reschedule, we drove down the heavily wooded gravel path, strands of hair sticking to our faces as the muggy 87 degree day hovered over us. Even at 7pm, we had sweat dripping. You'd never know it, though, because Jennifer looks pristine in her portraits! 

Luxe and Grey were the two horses we got to know and work with, trained by Grand World Champion Becca Hart. Seventeen hand Luxe towered over all of us. If you're not familiar with how big that is, just know that I'm 5'4" and his shoulders were right at my head level. So, he was BIG! He was as gentle as he was large, though, enjoying chomping on the grass and looking majestic no matter which way he turned. Jennifer, undaunted by his size, lead him around as I walked through posing with her and worked with Becca and her mom, Tanya, to get Luxe into the ideal position. Then came two year old Grey, a spunky little horse with a lot of heart and a lovable camera personality and, man, were he and Jennifer gorgeous as the golden sunset shone on them!

Despite the heat, the mugginess, the bugs and getting to know two new animals and all the quirks that go with those elements, this session was beyond perfect!! Check out some of our favorite portraits below!

"Florida Born. Georgia Raised. North Carolina Livin'," Kate proudly declared. A country girl through and through, we immediately knew that some place with a field, capturing the essence of a Carolina summer would be a perfect fit for her portrait session. Check out the fun we had!