What to shoot For most riders, the horse is the most important subject. While they don't want to look stupid or inept, riders care more about how the horse looks than how they look. I still like shooting the occasional rider coming up the trail towards me with the fall colors behind him, but trust me, those pictures don't sell. Shoot from the side, so clients can view as much of the horse as possible. They want to see the legs and the musculature.
Most owners also prefer to see the mane side of their horse.
But because the side on which the mane falls will not be the same for every horse, you may not always be able to oblige. Shoot the trot. When a horse trots, she extends her legs and body. If the horse is in good shape, her muscles will be well defined during the trot. It's a good opportunity to catch her best aspects.