Q&A With Miriam Dudley Photography
How did you get started in photography?
I have ever since loved photography. When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I got my first camera from my parents and guess what my most photographed subject was even back then? Horses, horses and more horses. In all these following years I have always been the one running around with a camera and capturing many memories that my friends and family cherish and love. I always saw the small details in things… like the little flower growing out of the sidewalk or the reflection of trees in a puddle. It wasn’t until much later in life though that I finally turned my passion into a business. I saw an ad about a free photography webinar, signed up, participated and was so drawn to it that I decided to sign up for a mentorship with them (while still working in my previous job). The rest is history… I learned fast because I was really excited and wanted this to be my future. I did tons of practice shoots, started my business only a few weeks later and booked clients pretty much instantly.
How long have you been photographing equestrians and horses?
I have been photographing horses my entire life and have hundreds of old-style prints in various albums in storage, but the majority of the time I did this as a hobby. When I started my professional career, I booked equestrian clients from day one and knew that this is going to be my special niche. This was in early 2023, so about 1.5 years ago.
What camera do you use the most?
I am working with a mirrorless Canon model and love it!
Do you have any tips to help keep a horse’s attention during a photoshoot?
There are many ways to get their attention, although I have to admit that some horses are definitely more difficult than others. The most important thing for me is to always check out first what kind of horse I am working with. If my client’s horse already is of a frisky nature, I will choose my tools more wisely to avoid the risk of spooking. But generally, my most common tricks are: making weird noises (I personally don’t mind if the owners think I’m nuts as long as I get the shot), stomping with my feet, waving a bag or sticks, peppermint wrappers, my squeaky plush toy, and if none of that helps, opening my phone and playing horse noises. This usually works wonders! Lastly, I find that the ideal set up is always to have at least one other helper so that I can focus on my photography.
Do you have any future goals for your photography business?
At this moment my biggest goal is growing my business. I just moved to Virginia less than a year ago and I am still working on establishing my client base. In the future I would love to work as a coach or mentor and help people to get started with their equine photography business. Also, destination bookings are another big goal for the next few years that I would like to add.
How old were you when you fell in love with horses?
I honestly don’t even know if there was ever a time I was not in love with horses. I was maybe around 7 or 8 years old when I could finally convince my parents that I wanted to learn how to ride.
They finally gave in and when they realized that this was more than just a crazy idea of a little girl, it all really started. I took English riding lessons, went to horse camps, learned jumping and finally had my first leased horse at the age of 14.
What is your favorite thing about your photography business?
Being outdoors and working with these beautiful animals and their humans. It is an absolute dream for me to be able to combine my passion for photography with my passion for horses and do this for a living! Being out there in nature and spending time with horses brings me peace and joy.
Do you have any hobbies you enjoy doing outside of your photography business?
I love being outdoors and spending time with my family. I am not sure if that is considered a hobby, but we love to travel and see new places. Exploring the world (or even just close by towns), trying out new food and learning about different cultures are definitely things that make me super happy.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I would like to thank Cori of Cori V Photography for taking this beautiful portrait shot of me.
What is the best way to contact you if someone would like to work with you?
I am based in Northern Virginia but open to travel. The best way to contact me is to send me a message via the contact form on my website at miriamdudley.com.
Article from the July issue of Equine Business Magazine
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