These two are no strangers to my camera, having met me lots of times out and about at various different shows and events. With this shoot I was looking to capture something a little bit different to the usual event pic however, so we opted for lots of liberty shots and then some headshots with some lovely pink roses.
The first half of the shoot took place in poor Becky's front garden! Finn was first, and things were going quite well. Oscar's turn was next, and after a brilliant start things got WAY too exciting and the next thing we knew he was jumping over the flower beds!!
Hope you enjoy looking through these,
May xx
]]>This shoot was actually my first portrait shoot of 2018, as prior to it I was feeling quite uninspired with my work. Luckily, the best cure for is a big handsome horse galloping about in the sunset, and that's exactly what I got.
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To say that when I was Lia's age I dreamed of having two dapple grey ponies would be the understatement of the century, so I was delighted when I was invited over for a mini shoot with Luna and Smokey. The joy that these two ponies bring Lia is just wonderful, and it was a pleasure to capture through my lens.
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]]>With plenty of friends waking up to a sprinkling of snow this morning I thought it'd be the appropriate time to share these photos from my visit to sponsored rider Zoe Taylor!
While I was quite skeptical that a foot of snow could be anything other than a pretty chilly inconvenience (I'm sure all fellow horse owners can relate) this was the first real time that I had a chance to take my camera out in it, and it was a beautiful surprise!
Romeo was a little unsure at first, but his little pony friend Peanuts soon showed him that the grass was still available for munching under the snow!
Dizzy was a little more confident!..
And Jack just spent most of his time rolling in it!!
]]>Lucie and Cruise, A farewell Photoshoot.
A couple of weeks ago I Joined sponsored rider Lucie Parry, and her horse Cruise for what would be their final photoshoot together before Cruise moved on to his new home.
We planned an evening shoot in anticipation of a bright sunset, but instead we were blessed with a crisp and misty evening over Nescliffe and The Cliffe. The heavy skies and Autumn colours lent us a stunning backdrop, and allowed me to create the delicate and peaceful images that I feel sum up the relationship between these two so well.
]]>Yesterday, I attended the Ludlow Hunt P2P at Bitterly.. Arriving during the first proper April shower of the year, Mirvanda found herself momentarily stuck in the mud (thankfully saved by two very strong men - thank you, if you are reading!) and I think we were all praying for a brighter afternoon.
Thankfully we were blessed with this, and all seven races were run in glorious sunshine.. this did pose a slight question photography wise, as it left the majority of the course heavily backlit but thankfully I had plenty of time to search for the best possible spots to place the cameras, and the images came out well.
I will admit that as a photographer, Point to Points do usually have me (and the rest of the team!) running around like a collection of crazy headless chickens!
For me this is usually because I'm rushing between the last fence and the paddock, and it is possible to get so caught up in getting the important shots, that I almost forget to stop and take a second to capture the smaller, more gentle moments away from the main action...
I think my favorite images always seem to come from 'behind the scenes' and yesterday I really tried to make a point of wondering through the lorry park, taking my time between races, and here are some of the results.
Full Gallery of official images from the Point to Point can be viewed by CLICKING HERE
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I just wanted to take a moment to introduce my two 2017 sponsored riders, Lucie and Georgia. This week I am looking for a third rider to join these two!
If you would like to apply, please send a photo and a short description of what you and your pony get up to, to [email protected] :)
Sponsored riders will receive 4 photoshoots per year (one for each season!) in exchange for promoting 'May Whiston Photography'.
First up, Georgia and Dove. Photos are from a lovely summer's evening shoot that we held in the summer of 2016 in Llanymynech.
Should you have purchased a photo from within the marvelous Mirvanda, I'm sure that you will recall my next rider and fabby print operator/technology genius: Lucie Parry and her wonderful Cruisey!
I can't wait to photograph more of these two over the next year!
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When I'm not behind the camera, usually I can be found sat in front of the fire with a box of watercolours, painting away!
I just wanted to take the opportunity to share some of my recent paintings with you all. They all vary in size from A5 up to A2 :)
I have two more spaces left for paintings in February, and plenty more for the rest of the year, so please get in touch if you would like to commission a painting!
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The photo that started it all. Sadly, we lost Chezzy not long after this photo was taken.. at the fair age of 35.
The first photo of my challenge was from a photoshoot at Talacre beach. The same bright, side lighting that was very challenging to shoot in colour made for the most amazing contrasty B&W images.
The next image to be shared was a self portrait that I took a couple of years ago in the log shed! in my case, the stereotype is true in that the photographer really hates to be in front of the camera, and I think that this is probably the last 'selfie' that I took.
The third image of the series features Katie and Danny on their last day together before he moved to his new home. It was quite an emotional day and this was the last image that I took of them both together. It has a very wistful feeling; the sun was hot and the scent of summer was in the air as they said their goodbyes in this photograph.
A nice simple B&W portrait followed.
The challenge got me thinking, and soon I was looking back through old shoots for more photographs to convert!
My favorite though, are my hound images! Though unfortunately this year I missed out, usually I spend my boxing days at the North Shropshire Hunt meet, and have always admired the usually very regal but sometimes slightly goofy canines... I think they work very well in B&W.
Thank you for looking :)
Portrait shoots available for 2017, please email [email protected] Prices from £70.
Fine art prints of my B&W hounds can be ordered here maywhistonphotography.zenfolio.com/p533830458
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anyone would like to get in touch please email [email protected] as our calendar is filling up rather quickly!
2016 has been a turbulent year for us. There has been so many farewells said, and equally as many new beginnings..
The first of which of course was our acquisition of the amazing Mirvanda, the traveling photo-booth (much easier.. and drier!! than our previous tent set up!)
The Vyrnwy Valley Showjumping at Radford's was our first event of the year... and the Van's waterproof capabilities were certainly put to the test!
The set-up proved successful, and with that we were ready (and I very nervous!) for our second event of the year: Eyton on Severn Point to Point. This was most likely the most high profile event that we had covered up to that point, and one that is very close to my heart, so it was important that all would run smoothly.. Which it did of course until we came to leave and found ourselves well and truly stuck in the mud!!
Brampton Bryan and Bitterly Followed in quick Succession, with The South Shropshire meet at Eyton too!
Highlights for me included the pony racing, and the Hunt Scurry... fabulous.
The Arrival of Spring Brought with us some sad news, Prescott Equestrian was to close. Prescott had been my 'home' both with photography and horses, and I'm sure the loss has been felt across all of the local horsey community :'(
On A brighter note, by April, our first fun ride of the year was upon us! Apley Farm Ride had a huge turnout, and for the first time all year the weather stayed clear and dry. (note: it's important to test the fences out yourselves before the horses come through!!)
Between Spring and Summer, we photographed many events.. including some at Berriewood, Rhos Farm, and S&G equestrian where we spotted Thomas, a past Prescott pony looking so beautiful and happy in his new home.
We Then Found ourselves a little far from home at Plas Uchaf hunter trials..
Which led on to another couple of fun rides at Upton Magna and Rudge Riding!
Time for our summer showing season! Rhydycroesau, Anglesea, Llansillin, and the High Horse Showing association to name but a few!
The Shrewsbury and District Riding Club hunter trials at Berriewood was yet more fun.. we had a beautiful day...
Pony Club Showjumping at Rodbaston was all good fun..
Kelsall Hill's arena eventing was a surprise addition to our calendar!
And with that our last funrides of the year: Larden Grange, The Wyre Forest and the Winter Farm Ride at Ranton bought our year to an end.
Merry Christmas, and a Happy new year, With love from May, Heidi and Paul :D We hope to see you all out and about in 2017!!!
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What they say is true... it's always freezing at Kelsall!
Fortunately a day's exciting eventing more than made up for this.. we had a fabulous day.
Here are a few of my favorite images.
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Luckily we were blessed with a beautifully sunny winter's afternoon, though walking across frozen sand was such a strange feeling!
]]>This blog post contains just a small selection of the images taken (well over 3500!!). If you are looking for photos of yourself or a friend, please visit http://maywhistonphotography.zenfolio.com/hawkstonecolourrun2016
More information about the amazing charity that the event was in aid of - Macmillan cancer care - can be found here www.macmillan.org.uk
And finally the beautiful (and now rather colourful!) Hawkstone park Follies www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk
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If you would like more information regarding my equine photoshoots, please take a look here - http://maywhistonphotography.zenfolio.com/portraiture :)
Model: Kate Parry (and Dan!!)
Location: The Cliffe, Nescliffe.]]>
Some of you may have noticed that my small and hairy pony Merrylegs was also reluctantly joining in on all the fun as part of team 'Damsels in Distressage' (which the pair of us very much were!) Here's a selection of some of my favorite images from the day.
(from left to right: Izzy Hillier riding Charles, Chloe Cox riding Lexi, myself and 'legs and Sam Bryce and Sol.. aka Pop Out!)
(Katie and Kizzy representing team 'Too hot to Trot!)
(Pip and Saphy having a minor navigational disagreement)
(And Lastly of all, team 'Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat's' Becky Pritchard setting the Phantom satnav in preparation for her first Elementary test)
Useful links -
Prescott Equestrian: http://www.prescottequestrian.co.uk/
Prescott Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Prescott-Equestrian-Centre-263607473652449/?fref=ts
British Dressage: http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/
Team Quest: http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/competitions/team_quest]]>
Back in 2015, on a gloriously sunny October eve, I had the delight of joining these two lovelies for a wonder around Nescliffe hill. In between getting lost in the woods with the scary wolf, and looking for bugs in the pretty flowers, we all finally finished the shoot long after dark and it still remains one of my favorites of all time.
Models: Lottie and George!
Photographer: May Whiston
Location: Nescliffe, Shropshire.
I hope that you enjoy this selection of photos. A full gallery can be found on the events section of my website :)
]]>Harry of Harry Fisher Photography and Film and I went for a little wonder around Ellesmere Mere and town yesterday evening, here are some of the resulting photographs!
We also had a wonder around the Quarry in Shrewsbury in the spring, it was much warmer back then!
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I'll preface this post with a quick note that details on how to apply for a 2016 sponsorship from myself (to include an embroidered numnah and 4 shoots - one for each season!) can be found at the bottom of this post.
Our first photoshoot was on a rather chilly winter's afternoon. Poor Daniel was given a good groom and a quick sponge bath (the first of many, he was soon to learn.. being clean is important for this photography lark..!) and Kate bravely put on a lovely tartan short sleeved dress. (with no tights, insanity!)
We were lucky enough to be blessed with December's attempt of a very hazy sunset - a beautiful start to a lovely year.
For our next adventure, we plaited Dan up and took him in the studio. I think he decided that he quite likes his new modelling job!
Our next Parry adventure took us out to support Katie's younger sister Lucie, and her pony, Cruise at Berriewood's pony club ODE.
It rained. Lu still smiled lots anyway.
It's not difficult to see why when you have a pony with this much character!
This brought us on to spring where wearing a dress was waaay less painful!
Next up Daniel and Kate had a date at Bold heath BE.
Returning back to the yard in a beautiful sunset.
Autumn came next, and along with it more beautiful sunsets!
Bringing an end to the 2015 season.Thank you Katie (and your lovely family) for being such an amazing sponsor, and more importantly a lovely friend :)
2016 sponsorship
I am looking for a new sponsored rider for 2016! To apply, please email me your favorite photo of you and your pony/s, along with you/your yard's postcode and a short introduction paragraph.
[email protected] :)]]>
I'll start off by sharing a compilation of the gopro footage so you can all get a feeling of what it's like to gallop up Warren Hill!
I apologize for the slightly shaky view - I haven't quite worked out the best way to mount the camera on to a helmet yet, but I have now got a chest mount which hopefully will improve things for next time!
Now for some photos! Over the gallops is my favorite place to watch the sun rise, though sadly we had two grey days with only a teeny bit of sunshine just as we left for home.
A full gallery of images taken can be viewed here ]]>
Here are a few of my favorites!
]]>Easter Monday found me (as always) in my favorite place ever - sat by the second to last at The South Shropshire Hunt's point to point, happily photographing away! (if a competition was ever to be held to find the most photographed p2p fence, I think this one would win...!)
Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day.
]]>Firstly, here's some slow-mo-go-pro (haha, quite a mouthful there!) footage of a couple of the fences...
It was my first day out with the go-pro, and despite my visions of a rogue horse smashing through the fencing and smushing the thing to pieces, it seemed to do pretty well!
Now, photos...
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Useful Links:
Follow my challenge on facebook - Facebook.com/maywhistonart
My art for sale on ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/dotspe/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
Thanks for looking! <3]]>
Firstly I just want to say a massive thank you to all of the venues, riders, friends & family, (and horses.. for being pretty) for the support in 2014 - just in case you don't make it to the bottom, I appreciate that there are lots of photos on here!
I'll start with January, lots of which was spent wading around in mud while following the North & South Shropshire hunts!
January also involved a visit to Bow House for a little bit of showjumping.. was very impressed with all of the colour coordination!
February brought along some new challenges for me - photographing people! First came the christening of little Ella, Archie and Lily At Castlefields Church in Shrewsbury... and though there wasn't a horse in sight, I thoroughly enjoyed capturing their special day (not least because there was not a spot of mud, pony poo, rain nor ice to clean from my camera lens afterwards!)
Very cute! Next up I had the honour of photographing the wedding of Jess and Matt Parker, which took place in Baschurch Church - a very convenient minute's walk from my own home!!
February also marked the beginning of my Baschurch based Dog photography studio in partnership with Heidi's Hounds Dog Grooming.. and of course some photography for Oswestry Riding Club's unaffiliated Dressage!
(obviously, Jack the horse needed his portrait taken as well!)
The start of March meant that it was time for our first point to point visit of the year! It was a gorgeous sunny day for Sir WW Wynn's Point to point at Bangor-on-Dee.. Even warm enough for a very wintery ice-cream!
March was also the month of Sam and Lyndsey Owen's Daffodil themed wedding, complete with Yellow converse!
I also paid my first visit to Tedsmore to photograph some hunter trials, and met Ella, the in-hand xcountry horse!
Lots of my April was spent catching up with neglected work for the Animal management course that I was taking at Walford College.. Balancing that and my photography had become a little bit of a struggle, and it was nice to relax and take a few shots of my own pets enjoying the spring!
Of course this didn't last for too long, and alongside a little showjumping, I soon had a shoot planned... It was very nice to see some green foliage and spring sunshine!
As well as a visit to the best place ever - Eyton up on severn - on Easter monday, April also involved a trip to a racing yard to photograph some swimming horses. The Bay horse below is most probably my favorite image ever and even got a mention on nat geo!
In june, there was lots of dressage, showjumping and another hunter trial for me to photograph, and Sam's Jerry & Saranda also had their portraits taken, along with Taff & Pebbles who felt a bit of grooming prep was needed!
Even more June pony portraits were taken at a clinic with Harry Payne, held by Zoe Taylor of Taylored Equestrian!
(Still very in love with Pancake the horse..) And of course the end of June was marked with the gorgeous Zoe Forrester and Beezy's Prom based photoshoot at Albrighton Hall.. My idea of photography heaven!!
Ah, July. July was a month and a half! At this point, I had just finished college, and after spending almost every weekend that I could standing in soggy fields and freezing arenas for almost two years, and still finding myself desperate to get out and take pictures of pretty ponies, I decided to scrap my veterinary nursing plans and spend my savings on some on-site printing equipment instead! Lots of £££s, a few tears, tonnes of stress and three faulty generators later, and we were ready to go.. that is me, plus printing technician Miles (always in his shirt and tie!) assistant photographer Zoe (usually found trying to convince me to buy her all of the shetland ponies..) and of course my incredibly supportive parents Paul & Heidi, who have given me so much help & advice, loaned me their 'under the stairs' cupboard for use as an office, and even given a bit of photography a go on a number of occasions!
The month started with a Shoot for Lidia and Finn.. We spent just under three hours wondering around Nescliffe and the Cliffe in the evening sunshine.. finding all of the pretty spots (of which there were many!)
My next Shoot was with Amber and Phantom, at the Isle in Bicton. We decorated her with a tonne of red roses, which I had 'borrowed' from my Nan's garden (with permission, of course!) Though I only managed to grab a handful of shots before she shook them all out! I also photographed some showing, both with the NCPA Maelor & Shropshire and even more at Tedsmore equestrian, which is always a lot of fun, and was very kindly lent their office for us to have a first ever run through of the printing set up!
Then Finally, the 27th of July had arrived... the date of Boarder Counties Equestrian show and our first ever outdoor, tent in the middle of a field, generator powered, really scary onsite printing show. I had my 'Lucky' hat sold to me from Jon at the Shropshire Tack shop the day before, and we put up tent within range of a porta potty (Because nervous pees!) and got to work - it went amazingly (even with a borrowed generator that was heavier than a horse and required it's own trailer to transport..) and we could not have asked for a lovlier day.
Quick shout out to the amazing Puissance pony!
A replacement generator, and a few adjustments to our set up later and we were ready for the summer season.. with Rhydycrosau show (forgive me - I am spelling that from memory!)
Llansilin (Rain, rain rain!!)
A shoot with Ruth and Dontee was next...
The amazing Shropshire Beagles funride, which is always the highlight of my year - sitting in the sun (..ok, maybe cloud) under the Wrekin while watching Shropshire's finest horses trot by!!!!!
August bought Glyn Show, which was a new, but fun one for us this year... with a poorly Zoe and three rings for me to cover by myself!
and a shoot that I had with Nicloa Tustain MBE and her group of lovely doggies!
(couldn't not include this pic of Molly & Shetland pony party of course!)
Our last big show of the season was Eccleshall's yfc funride (and it was definitely lots of fun!)
After that, I met Danny and Breezy, two stunning horses with a definite sense of humour!
And September brought along a nice peaceful month, where as well as taking a few piccies at Prescott and Walford college, I could relax, try out some new photo techniques (namely a bit of astrophotography!) and watch my own silly ponies pulling rude faces at me!
(My rather beautiful assistant photog!)
The peace didn't last long, after a trip down to Newmarket to visit family, friends and plenty of horses, my November and December were spent frantically photographing over 80 (!!!) dogs at various different events such as Weston Rhyn dog show... Sue's Canine christmas party, and in the studio..
And that has been my year in photos!
just in case you made it to the bottom, thank you for reading, & I hope that you have a lovely 2015 :)
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I have to apologize for my lack of weekendly blog update - on Saturday, at a very early hour, I was kidnapped (thankfully by my good friend Will) To go and shoot some zombies!!
(Not of the real variety.. though there was tonnes of convincing makeup, and tummy turning syrup blood to make up for that. Grim...)
Hmm... definitely makes a change from Dressage? The zombies were in aid of the film 'Too Far Gone' by the awesomely talented Harry Fisher, pictured below, alongside Gemma, doing important film things like climbing on JCBs... (camera envy much?)
The location of Hawkstone was lovely, and a massive thanks to Mr&Mrs Fisher for making us all so welcome!
I can say for sure that we were all VERY thankful for the fire...
I have a separate album for cast and crew containing all of the images from across the weekend (including makeup closeups) please contact me for access!
Useful links -
Harry's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HGFproductions
William Hughes of Hugely popular pictures https://www.facebook.com/hugelypopularpictures
]]>The Autumn colours were beautiful.. as was little Rosie.
]]>Unfortunately, as much as I would love it to be so, our horses don't quite have the lifespan of your average human, especially given all of the injuries and ailments that they WILL find a way to suffer from given half a chance (elaborate plan to get out of get out of work, perhaps..) and after a few near misses with Jack and his porcelain china legs, I wanted to be able to document all of those special little moments that we have together...
....whether it be getting soaked while using the car headlights to illuminate the way in to the stables on a dark January evening....
.....Watching the sunrise on a frosty morning from the warmth of his stable......
.....pretending that his small friend is actually a mythical creature.....
.....Using him as a photography model!!.....
.....slipping over in the snow - oops!.....
......Looking adorable......
.....Looking like an idiot!!.......
SONY DSC
.....and just generally being the most handsome horse ever!.
Though Jack is now fine, and probably looking for new ways in which to get himself in trouble out in the field... I thought that I would just ask everyone with a horse... cat, dog, dragon, guinea pig? to take a photograph of them tonight - the sun's out, it's a beautiful day and you never know what may be around the corner.
More used to ambling around Baschurch (usually under a heavy coating of mud and hair) the shock of being clipped and almost clean proved too much for poor pony - numerous attempts to ditch me and canter back to the safety of his stable were made (concerningly at the sight of a spare white board found in the warm up.. Hopeful, things were not.)
Fortunately, after stealing some calming vibes from a fellow friend and rider who had very wisely spent her Saturday evening dosing up on kalms and chamomile tea, we made it in to the arena. A quick (and very forward) dance around later, it was all over!
A very cheeky attempt was then made to break in to said friends trailer for a lift home, while we all waited for results... and some how second place was ours!! For his sins, we have a second test booked for next weekend... A calmer has been purchased in anticipation.
Now for the camera part... My mum (who had very little hope in us surviving the morning, as displayed in the lovely commentary..) managed to get the moment on film.. lovely, I think! Massive well done to everyone who was out competing today.
Useful links - You can find details of up and coming events at Walford equine on the facebook pages below :)
https://www.facebook.com/Walfordequine
https://www.facebook.com/SFequestriantraining
:PHe's just got such a pretty face.
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Baschurch Church
Meteor overlooking Llanymynech.2014 - I spent all night sitting up the Cliffe, near Nescliffe waiting for this shot. Though we only saw a couple of meteors, it was definitely worth it!
Overlooking Prescott EquestrianI couldn't help but to snap this picture as I was walking home from feeding the horses one evening... the best view in Baschurch!
Behind Baschurch Playing fieldsMy camera may have gotten a little muddy for this shot!
Looking towards Baschurch from Eyton lane between the ears of jack the horse!
Sunset over Baschurch reservoir
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My visit to NewmarketI was lucky enough to be able to spend the last week visiting some lovely friends and family down in Newmarket.. needless to say that photos were taken at every possible opportunity!
Early mornings..My first 2014 shot of Newmarket.. Slightly too dark for much photography, and definitely too early for me!
Ready to go
Early morning riders!
Sunrise over Warren hill
View from Warren HillHorses on the all weather gallops, as others walk back down to the bottom of the hill.
Cantering in to the sun
Crossing the roadHorses definitely have the right of way in Newmarket.. there are horse walks and crossings everywhere (please take note, Shropshire!!)
Golden
Dramatic skies
Portrait
Hello there..
Go away!!!And then some horses were not so impressed at having their portraits taken!...
Sunrise
Nap timeBeing a racehorse is tiring stuff...
ImpatienceI think this horse was in a little bit of a rush to get back to his stable!
Waiting by the wall
]]>Serene.I've been wanting to try out an expansion and I thought that this would make quite a nice composition. My blending is a bit off between the photos - I shall probably have anther attempt!
Bronte.Shooting through the weird tree things!
Bronte.Final image, just as the sun was setting.. and then we headed off to the graveyard for Zoe to take some photos (no creepy rituals, I promise!)
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