Ali & Cambridge at Windenoak Equestrian Center in Seymour, WI

Ali & Cambridge at Windenoak Equestrian Center in Seymour, WI

Some portrait sessions are full of laughter. Others are full of nostalgia. This one was both.

Ali and Cambridge’s portrait session at Windenoak Equestrian Center was meant to honor a meaningful chapter, one that was coming to a bittersweet close. After years together, Ali and her family had decided it was time for Cambridge to move on to a new home. This session was a chance to document their bond before saying goodbye.

We began with black background portraits in the barn aisle, timeless and clean, with Cambridge’s bay coat glowing against the dark backdrop. From there, we stepped outside into the warm June sun. The long driveway lined with maple trees created a soft tunnel of light and shade. Ali started in a classic black tee and white denim pants, followed by a black tank with olive green pants, and finally a striped jumpsuit that brought a touch of fun and movement to the final frames.

It was hot and cloudless, and the walk to the back pasture was long, but so worth it. There, in the tall grass and soft light, we wrapped up the session with quiet, heartfelt portraits that marked the end of a meaningful chapter.

Throughout the afternoon, you could feel the weight and love of everything this horse had meant to Ali. There were sweet moments, and there were playful ones, like when Cambridge wiggled his nose (a habit that always made Ali smile), and we caught it on camera. It’s the little things that make a horse unforgettable.

This session was especially meaningful to me because Ali and her mom, Melissa, are returning clients. I first photographed Ali in 2018 with her pony Ruby, and we included Melissa’s gelding, Val, in those portraits. Val passed away this past winter, and Melissa knew it was time to photograph Ali and Cambridge while she still could.

Cambridge sold a few weeks after this session. But what remains are these portraits, filled with the same joy, strength, and quiet devotion that defined their story.

If you're looking to capture your story with your horse, whether it’s just beginning, somewhere in the middle, or gently winding down, I'd be honored to photograph it.
👉 Book your equestrian portrait session here