6 - Take Five
Five basic views are needed – front, rear, left side,right side and a three-quarter front view shot.

Front and Rear Views• Best as vertical image• Position so that head, front and hind legs canbe seen
• Space legs apart so that all markings can be seen
• Make sure that the ears are erect• The tail should not obscure any markings, if
necessary braid the tail.

Three Quarter View
This is your horse’s glamour shot. The one most likely
to appear on the registration certificate.
• Best as vertical image• Position so that head, front and hind legs can beseen• Space legs apart so that all markings can be seen
• Make sure that the ears are erect• The tail should not obscure any markings, if necessary braid the tail.
• Make sure people or other horses are not in thephoto• Best as horizontal image• Be sure that head and ears are erect, and that thelegs are spaced apart so all markings canbe seen.

For additional information visit ourWeb site at www.aqha.com,or call 806-376-4811

What you need to know to takecorrect photos for yourAQHA registration
application

You Ought To Be In Pictures
Your American Quarter Horse Association Certificateof Registration can now include a photo of yourhorse.
Submitting the correct photos will help in theregistration process so you’ll get your papers sooner.
Good, clear photos also will help verify markings andmay avoid the need for a physical inspection.
These photos will help with the identification of yourhorse at AQHA shows, races and other competitions,or in the event your horse is stolen or missing.

1 - The Right Equipment

To ensure success in taking photos of your horse, it isimportant to have the right equipment.
AVOID INSTANT CAMERAS. Use a high-quality
35mm or digital camera. Instant cameras tend tooverexpose and fade the image making them difficult
to use.

2 - The Right Time

Take photos on a sunny day. You’ll want the horse’s
shadow to fall away from you behind the horse. Havethe sun behind your back, but be aware of your own
shadow. It should not fall across the horse.
Try to use soft late afternoon or early morning naturallight for outdoor photos. While some shadows will
be unavoidable, use the fill flash to lessen shadowsthat may be present.

3 - The Right Place

You’ll want a location where the background is
uncluttered and a contrasting color of your horse.
The ground should be level, and grass or snow
should not be tall enough to obscure markings near
the hoof area.
Pay attention to items in the background that might
be distracting.

CONTRASTINGBACKGROUND

ADDITIONAL
PHOTOS OF
SPECIAL MARKINGS

4 - The Right Preparation

Make sure the horse is without a saddle or blanket.
and free from mud or debris that might be mistaken
for markings. Pull back the forelock so head markings
can be seen. If necessary, braid the tail so that rear leg
markings can be seen.
It is important that you be patient. Take photos
when the horse’s ears are erect. Do not take a photowhen the horse is grazing as the conformation may
not appear correct.

5 - The Right Photo Setup
Please keep in mind, you’re not taking a picture topromote your horse. This photo is designed to help
identify your horse.
Frame your photos tightly, keeping the foregroundand background to a minimum. Remember toalways get all four feetand legs in every photo.
If the horse has
markings that fall outof normal marking
area, (spots on belly orbetween the legs) takecloseup photos. Shavethe area with a razor(not clippers) and holda ruler under or besidethe area, taking care not to cover the area, so themeasurement and pink skin can be seen.

With a digital camera, the higher the megapixel
rating, the sharper the final image will be. Pleaseuse a camera that provides at least 1 megapixel
resolution and mail the photos on a jump drive. Be
sure to label the jump drive with the horse’s nameand registration number, or the year foaled and dam’s
name and registration number.

Take separate close-up photos of unusual markings orbrands. These photos should be taken close enoughso the markings can be seen yet are in focus.

UNCLUTTEREDLEVEL GROUNDSPACE LEGSAPART
SUN BEHINDYOUR BACK

2000-15-233 picture this brochure 4-8-15