Welcoming Toebeans: A Golden Hour Equine Shoot Celebrating New Beginnings

There’s something extraordinary about the rhythm of returning clients—especially when those clients come with hooves, manes, and an ever-growing bond. I recently had the joy of photographing Kaylie and her horses again—Phoenix and Daisy—who’ve become familiar faces (and personalities) in front of my lens. But this shoot was unlike any other. As the golden hour filtered through the rustling autumn leaves, we welcomed a new member into the mix: Tobby, or as Kaylie lovingly calls him, Toebeans.

Equine photography in Cape Town.

Tobby is Kaylie’s newest foal, and witnessing him discover his place in the herd was heart-warming. There’s a certain magic in documenting the early days of a new foal—those wobbly steps, wide-eyed curiosity, and the way the older horses gently guide them. And to capture that amongst the amber hues of an autumn evening? Pure photographic poetry.

What made this shoot truly special wasn't just the light or the leaves—it was the subtle shifts in herd dynamic playing out in real-time. Daisy’s quiet maternal calm, Kaylie’s unwavering presence, and Phoenix… well, Phoenix was the unsung hero of the day.

Phoenix and I have been building a bond over the years—one that seems to deepen with every shoot. During this session, he read the energy like a seasoned pro. I barely needed to direct him. At one point, he even helped guide little Tobby into position for some of the most adorable shots of the day. It’s moments like these that remind me why I adore equine photography in Cape Town—it’s not just about capturing beautiful animals, it’s about telling the story of trust, connection, and the wild, gentle language between human and horse.

Of course, photographing three horses (including one foal) is no small feat. Patience is more than a virtue in equine photography—it’s a necessity. Horses need time, space, and calm to feel safe in front of the camera. And when there’s a foal involved, everything slows down even more. But that slower pace? That’s where the magic happens. It invites the in-between moments—the nuzzles, the glances, the tiny, fleeting interactions that speak volumes.

Equine photography in Cape Town.

This session was full of those moments. The soft crunch of fallen leaves under hoof. The way Kaylie’s hand found Tobby’s shoulder as if she’d always known him. The golden light that turned ordinary moments into something eternal.

To Kaylie—thank you for letting me be part of your journey and your herd’s story once again. And to Phoenix, Daisy, and sweet Tobby: thank you for your trust, your beauty, and your patience.

Here’s to new beginnings, deepening bonds, and golden hours that remind us how lucky we are to freeze time—if only for a frame.

Working with horses requires a deep well of patience—a calm, grounded energy that meets them where they are. And truthfully, this is my element. There's something about being in their presence, camera in hand, heart wide open, that feels like home. Horses don’t perform on cue; they respond to trust, consistency, and the mood of the moment. Especially during shoots like this, with three horses and a new foal, it's less about control and more about connection. I find so much joy in allowing the session to unfold naturally, guiding gently, and waiting for the magic to happen on their terms. It’s not just photography—it’s an intuitive dance, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.