CARLY KADE CREATIVE: FOR THE LOVE OF HORSE BOOKS
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Buy the Books
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Media Room
  • Contact
  • Bonus
  • Photo Gallery
  • Store
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Wisdom

Equine Photography: My Desert Photo Shoot Favs

1/20/2017

 
Author Carly Kade Poses for Melanie Elise Equine Photography
I am one happy cowgirl. My recent desert equine photo session with Melanie Elise Photography completely captured the immense love I feel for my horse and the passion I have for the Western lifestyle. Now comes the tough part ... choosing which photograph to use for my author biography page in the upcoming sequel to my book for horse lovers, In The Reins. 

​
Readers - Would you help me choose? 
When I am not riding a horse, you’ll find me writing about one. I am happiest when I am in the saddle. Horses give me peace whether I’m putting them on paper or I am a guest on their backs. There is nothing more peaceful to me than the quiet bond I share with my horse, Sissy.  
Melanie Elise Photography truly captured our relationship. Sissy and I have such a special bond. I feel like she can read my mind and without her inspiration I wouldn't be the equestrian author I am today. Take a tour of my website or my YouTube channel and you’ll notice that my Paint is featured in my promotional videos for In The Reins​. Sissy appears as the lead horse character, Faith. I do all the marketing for the book myself so it helps to have my own horse to stand in as I film the footage!
As I mentioned, I am having a hard time deciding which of the new photos to use for my author photo in the sequel to In The Reins. My spurs are jingling because that's a good problem to have! Will you help me chose a favorite by leaving your choice in the comments below? 

My 6 favorite photos from the equine photo shoot ...


1. Our bond captured ... just a cowgirl and her horse

This is one of my favorites from the session. I teared up multiple times during the reveal, it was amazing to see my relationship with my horse through Melanie's lens.
Author Carly Kade poses with her horse for Melanie Elise Photography

2. I'm calling this one "Graffiti Girls"

We wandered around the area where we held the photo shoot and found this wall that had been tagged with graffiti. Melanie's creative wings sprouted and the equine photo session went to a new height as we played with the vibrant background. It was hard to choose a favorite from these unusual equestrian photography shots. It is funny to think that both the wall and my horse are painted. LOL.
Equestrian Author Carly Kade Poses for Melanie Elise Equine Photography

3. Desert Dreaming

This photo feels so dreamy. I love the light and the way we look enveloped by the greenery. We held this equine photo shoot in one of Arizona's mountain preserves. I feel so fortunate to live in a place with such an extraordinarily beautiful landscape. 
Everything about Arizona inspires me from seeing the bronze horse statues in Old Town Scottsdale to the vibrant horse culture that is available to equestrians.  It seems like there's a horse event every weekend somewhere here.  The scenery is so breathtaking that I’m inspired every single time I saddle up, drive to the barn or take a walk.  When I arrived in Arizona, I knew that it was going to be my forever home. 
Equine Author Carly Kade Poses for Melanie Elise Equine Photography

4. I'm Gonna Kiss You

This is the perfect title for this picture because 'I'm Gonna Kiss You' is my horse's registered name. It was only fitting that Melanie captured me planting one right on Sissy's kisser!

Also, I love that you can really see my grandmother's turquoise bracelet in a lot of the photos from this session. It was given to my grandma by my grandfather after the war and my mother gifted it to me when I completed In The Reins. I feel really connected to turquoise.

​I wrote a whole blog post about the stone called, "Is Turquoise a Good Gamble for a Horse Riding Author? Yes!" When I was writing the post, I looked up the gemstone to discover that turquoise has been used to protect riders from falling from their horses (I ride horses!) and turquoise is a good choice for writers (I’m a writer!). My grandmother's turquoise bracelet is a gift that is very dear to me. 
Horse Book Author Carly Kade Poses for Melanie Elise Equine Photography

5. and 6. So hard to choose! 

What about these two? I think they have a classic author biography photo feel to them. Could one of these be the picture for the 'About the Author' page in the upcoming sequel to In The Reins? I just can't choose! I love them all. I am proud to use Melanie Elise Photography's images for the horse fiction books that I pen.  ​
Equestrian Fiction Author Carly Kade Poses for Melanie Elise Equine Photography
Equestrian Author Carly Kade Poses for Melanie Elise Equine Photography
So, readers, would you help me choose? Which photo is your favorite? I love to hear your feedback. Let me know in the comments below.

​Are you planning or preparing for your own equine photo shoot in 2017? Gallop over to my blog post called, "Equine Photo Prep: Tips for YOU and your HORSE" for some solid tips on how to make sure your session is a spur jingler!

Want to see more from my equine photo shoot?

Watch this spur jingling video that Melanie Elise Photography made for me as part of my equine photography package! This was such an awesome way for her to reveal my pictures with me. She even came to my home to walk through the pics with me!

About Melanie Elise Photography

Equine Photography by Melanie Elise Photography
Equine Photographer Melanie Elise
Melanie Elise Levy is an international award-winning photographer based in Phoenix, AZ. She's an avid equestrian and lifetime pet owner. Melanie's work has been featured on book, magazine and catalog covers; her images grace both commercial and private walls worldwide. She enjoys teaching and shares her extensive Photoshop and photography knowledge in seminars and online courses.

Melanie first picked up a SLR camera at age nine and has been shooting events, promo images, and portraits professionally in Arizona since 2002. She specializes in equine, pet, portrait, nature, and fine art images.

Visit Melanie's website here: 
http://photos.melanie-elise.com/about.html

About Equestrian Fiction Book In The Reins 

The Amazon Equestrian Bestseller is available in paperback and eBook with solid 5 star ratings! Thank you to my readers from the bottom of my heart. Visit my reviews page to see what readers have been saying about the novel. The book just won the prestigious Best Western Fiction Literary Award at the EQUUS Film Festival in New York City too! In The Reins is the first in my horse book series! BIG NEWS is coming soon about the second book in the series. Stay tuned!
EQUUS Film Festival Best Western Fiction In The Reins by Carly Kade
In The Reins by Carly Kade

​Watch the In The Reins Book Trailer


I love sharing updates with In The Reins readers!  Feeling Social?  Join the herd and connect with Carly Kade Creative on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter.  
​Come run wild with me!
Equestrian Fiction Author Carly Kade
Jess
1/21/2017 08:28:01 am

All of those are great! But I think my favorite is number 2 because it is so different! What a GREAT shot! You can't go wrong with any of them though! Excited to see which one you end up picking!

Carly link
1/21/2017 09:32:23 am

Thank you so much, Jess!
I appreciate the feedback. 1, 5 & 6 seem to be the front runners so far. I agree with you that 2 is so different from the others! Perhaps I'll have to write 6 more books so I can use all of Melanie Elise Photography's pics ... Lol. Loving hearing from you! Happy Weekend!
Carly

Heather link
1/21/2017 01:54:06 pm

I love the first and third photos best. Although my absolute favorite is the first because I can see you relationship with your horse. It is very evocative.

Carly link
1/21/2017 02:53:22 pm

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Heather!
It means a lot to hear that the first photo resonated with you. I really do think Melanie Elise Photography captured my authentic feelings for my horse in that photo. I appreciate you.
Have a Happy Saturday,
Carly


Comments are closed.
    Carly Kade Creative

    Carly Kade Author

    Books by Carly Kade

    In the Reins Equestrian Romance Horse Book Series by Carly Kade
    In the Reins, Cowboy Away, Show Pen Promise Books by Carly Kade

    In The Reins is an EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award Winner
    In the Reins is an EQUUS Film Festival Official Literary Award Winner
    Author Carly Kade wins Feathered Quill Book Award for Equestrian Fiction In The Reins
    In the Reins earns TWO Feathered Quill Book Awards
    Cowboy Away Earns Carly Kade Second EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award
    Cowboy Away Earns Carly Kade Second EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award
    In the Reins by Carly is BookWorks Book of the Week
    In the Reins is the Self Publishers Association Book of the Week

    Book Trailer


    Author Info

    Carly Kade writes for anyone who loves horses, handsome cowboys and a great romance. Creative writing about horses makes her spurs jingle!  

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015



    ​Please note: This website may contain affiliate links. If you choose to buy any books featured, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate purchases help with the upkeep of the podcast. Thank you for your support in keeping this site running.

Feeling Social? Join The Herd!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Buy the Books
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Media Room
  • Contact
  • Bonus
  • Photo Gallery
  • Store
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Wisdom