Why I Chose 7am for This Equestrian Shoot (And Why It Changed Everything)

Most riders when considering having a shoot done of them and their horse, they don’t wake up thinking:

“I need a photographer.”

They think:

“I don’t feel confident in front of the camera.” “My horse won’t stand still.” “I’m not photogenic.” “Golden hour sounds beautiful… but 7am? Really?”

And yet, the most breath-taking equestrian images often begin before the world fully wakes up.

This sunrise session with Kaylie and her two grey “unicorns,” Bubbles and Destiny, is the perfect example of why timing matters more than people realize.

Equestrian Photography in Cape Town.

The Real Reason I Chose 7am

It wasn’t about being dramatic. It wasn’t about trends. It wasn’t even just about “golden hour.”

It was about light.

At 7am, the sun sits low enough to wrap gently around both horse and rider. It doesn’t flatten features. It doesn’t create harsh shadows. It doesn’t make anyone squint.

Instead, it glows.

And when you’re photographing grey horses — especially two luminous greys like Bubbles and Destiny — that glow becomes magic.

Midday light would have made their coats look flat. But sunrise light? It made them shimmer.

Kaylie’s connection with the boys felt soft. Quiet. Intentional. And the light supported that feeling instead of competing with it.

That’s the difference between “pretty photos” and strategic ones.

If You’ve Ever Felt Awkward in Photos…

Sunrise is your secret ally.

Early morning light is forgiving. It smooths. It softens. It flatters without filters.

But more than that — 7am sessions feel calmer.

The yard is quieter, the horses are settled, there’s no rush and no harsh heat.

Kaylie didn’t need to “perform.” She simply got to be with her horses.

And that’s when the real moments happened — the nose nudges, the soft laughter, the quiet in-between pauses that can’t be posed.

You don’t need to be confident to look confident in photos.

You need the right environment.

Why Grey Horses + Sunrise = Pure Magic

Let me teach you how to see this.

Grey horses reflect light differently. In harsh sun, they can look overly bright or washed out. In dull light, they can lose dimension.

But at sunrise?

The light grazes their coats. It outlines their ears. It creates depth in their muscles. It gives their manes a halo effect.

That’s why Bubbles and Destiny looked like actual unicorns that morning.

The light wasn’t just illuminating them — it was sculpting them.

Once you see that difference, you can’t unsee it.

What This Shoot Was Really About

It wasn’t just about beautiful horses.

We wanted the photos to feel:

• Calm• Dreamlike• Connected• Soft, but strong

So we chose:

✓ Early light instead of bright light

✓ Movement instead of stiff posing

✓ Familiar paddock spaces instead of dramatic locations

✓ Warm tones to enhance emotional depth

The timing was intentional. The environment was intentional. The feeling was intentional.

That’s what most people don’t see behind the final image.

Equestrian Photography in Cape Town.

“Do I Have to Wake Up That Early?”

Only if the feeling you want matches what sunrise gives.

You’re ready for a sunrise equestrian session if:

• You love soft, romantic imagery

• Your horse is most relaxed in the early hours

• You want glow instead of glare

• You value atmosphere over drama

If bold, punchy, high-energy images are your thing? Sunrise might not be your moment.

And that’s okay.

The right photographer doesn’t sell you light — they match light to your story.

You’re Not Behind — You’re Just Asking the Right Questions

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Does timing really matter?” “Will early light actually make a difference?” “Is it worth the early alarm?”

The fact that you’re thinking about this already means you care.

And that’s the foundation of beautiful images.

Kaylie trusted the process. She trusted the timing and Bubbles and Destiny showed up in the most luminous way possible.

Sometimes the magic isn’t in doing more.

It’s in choosing better light.

If you’re dreaming of images that feel calm, connected, and quietly powerful — maybe your story begins at 7am too.