Equine photographer Nancy Wilkinson kindly took the time to answer some questions about her profession – and share some photos!

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
I spend three to perhaps four hours a day editing photographs. I spend from about Thursday to Sunday with horse related, such as horse racing or horse related events such as horse shows, and I do horse portraits.

What is it exactly that you do?
I’m an Equine Photographer.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes it is possible. But like with everything involving photography, it is and can be a very competitive filed. But you can reach to where you can make a living in doing so.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Steps should include a bit of luck and a lot of perseverance. First thing one needs to do is a lot of practice; go to your local tracks, shows, watch, take notes; watch their movements, learn horses’ personalities, taking photos of your subject, learn what is working for you, what is not?

Second after you have got to a point where you are comfortable, seek out some Pro Bono work (this is where you get the gig, but will not be paid, but a good learning curve).

The exception to Pro Bono work is race tracks, every track is different, most of the time you need to be with an organization, such as a magazine or newspaper, but if you’re able to, see if you can get on with these on that Pro Bono.

One thing for sure is you must carry liability insurance, this is very important. If you do get a chance to photograph at a track also be aware that you will get the chance to do so on a non stakes day, but this helps you for future endeavors. Last I would say sell your photographs on your own to stock agents, at art shows etc – you will gain a following, and might just help with word of mouth.

Favourite horse memory?
Seeing the great Secretariat win the Belmont Stakes, thus becoming the Triple Crown Champion.

Future goals?
My future goals are pretty simple or not depending on how one looks at it. The simple part is to become one of the top Equine Photographers (sports and other).  The perhaps harder part is that I’m hopeful to one day win an Eclipse award – a lofty goal for sure, but one I hope is in my future.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing in my profession is the passion I have for the horses themselves. Seeing them race or in a show ring is just wondrous. They are by far some of the greatest creatures ever brought to man. They are joyous to watch.

I like to say also that photography is like a time machine, when you take your photo in that moment you have preserved the past. There is nothing like it. I’m sure I will be doing photography in some form till I no longer am able to.

“A large and liquid eye. . . the swirl of dust around pounding hooves. . .these, then, are the images that move us.” – Author unknown

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Horse Lifestyle is 100% dedicated to equestrian media and content, so we deal with horses thematically all the time – across all territories and in all languages. We’re constantly developing the narrative around what it means to be a horse person and what the lifestyle entails. It’s an all encompassing experience.

What is it exactly that you do?
I get this question from my mother all the time! As a Chief Business Officer, I oversee a number of executive functions mainly related to B2B and B2C relationships, market development and strategic planning. On any given day I’ll be working on contracts, original programming production, content acquisition, legal and financial issues, HR, social media management, marketing – you name it.

The role is exciting because you really have to think about the big picture of your company, the needs of your staff and weigh all of this with the day to day functions of progressing both a business and a brand forward. You have to be both a creative and critical thinker in one.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
The overarching aim of Horse Lifestyle is to provide positive unity and a more buoyant market for the equestrian industries. We support horses and horse people across the board. Our success is predicated on yours.

So, if I’m doing my job right – everyone in the equine industries will be able to make a livable income doing what they love best. It’s possible, it just takes unwavering nerve and a bold, insightful team of professionals working with you who can patiently adjust to the daily ebb and flow.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
In the media industry, you really have to “earn your stripes.” If you say you’re going to do something, do it and do it better than anyone else. You have to hold to your vision and prove that you have endurance to last – both professionally and personally.

It’s a bit of a fallacy that you need fancy degrees and years in academia. To be sure, that may help, but there’s also something to be said for what the British refer to as, “Pluck and luck.”

My greatest recommendation for success in the media industries is to read a lot, listen more, and when you’re ready to act – hold nothing back.

Favourite horse memory?
Nearly all of my memories and stories revolve around horses – this is the toughest question so far.

Hmmmm … you know how, at the end of a busy day, when you feel a bit frazzled and you need a calm moment – well, I think back to this one day in late April. I must have been about 8 or 9, and I had been for a trail ride on Black Night, the horse that taught me everything I know. He was part of our family for 20-years, special in every way.

Anyway, … it was one of those especially warm spring days, so I untacked him, spritzed him down and took him out to graze on the clover. He was happily munching away, so I lay down in the grass a minute, staring at the clouds.

I still remember that perfect sound of him munching and snorting at flies and just the peaceful calm of everything. Infinite happiness in that moment. It’s one of the rare memories that you can return to your in mind and find an inner calm.

Future goals?
I’d like to produce more and really roll up my sleeves in terms of original content creation.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I telecommute with a brilliant team that happens to be based in The Netherlands. So, keeping ties with Europe, where my husband and I were ex-pats for 6-years, is really wonderful. Plus, they’re always sending over stroopwafels!

“Machinery may make for efficiency and a standardisation of life, but horse love is a bond of freemasonry which unites the entire race…” – William Fawcett

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
100% of my work day is related to horses.

What is it exactly that you do?
I sell equine-related insurance policies. I answer questions from clients in this industry to help them determine what insurance policy is going to meet their needs. My agency deals only with equine policies –

• mortality/medical on the horse,
• liability for the independent trainer/instructor,
• farm policies for the property owners with horses and/or horse business (boarding, lessons, training), horse clubs, equine events.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes. Insurance is an important part of the horse owner’s life. We help protect your investment in your horse through life insurance and medical insurance. We also provide required coverage for property – insuring against loss to homes, barns, equipment, and tack.

Many farm owners are now requiring the independents conducting business on their property to carry their own insurance and name the property owner as an additional insured. This is very important because property owner’s own policy would not protect them if they are sued because of the independent’s business.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
To be employed in the insurance industry, you could start as clerical staff in an agency or come in as a licensed agent. Each state requires an insurance agent to be licensed to sell insurance. Some agents are independents and they broker business through an agency without being an employee. In this case they are paid a commission on the business they bring to the agency. In most cases, the independent agent would have a contract with the agency spelling out their agreement.

Favourite horse memory?
As a young teen, I went horseback riding for the first time with a friend from church. She sat in the saddle and I sat behind her hanging on for dear life! When the horse stepped over a bridge in the ring, I just knew I was going to slide off the back end. It was scary and exhilarating all at once.

Future goals?
My goal is to continue to grow my agency by helping people understand why they need insurance, what policy is best for them, and helping them save money in the process.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about my profession is the satisfaction of helping others. I’m not a saleswoman but a teacher, guiding people to make good decisions. I also enjoy getting to visit the farms I insure and spending time with beautiful horses.

“I pray the gentle hands may guide my feet;I ask for kind commands from voices sweet; At night a stable warm with scented hay, where, safe from every harm, I’ll sleep till day.” – Pony’s prayer