Bug,  Family Matters,  Super Dad

Shooting (photos of) Horses

September 26, 2009 /

take your daughter to work day

Yesterday was Take-Your-Daughter-To-Work Day. Or at least it was in our house. I have no idea when that day is for the rest of the country. Toby let us tag along on one of his photo shoots because he’s been taking pictures of a local horse ranch and he thought we’d get a kick of out of seeing some real horses.

Before we left, Toby asked Bug if she’d ever seen a horse before. She has, but it was a long time ago when she wasn’t even a year old, so I doubt she remembers it. But of course she said she had and when Toby asked her how big a horse was she showed him her hand. As if horses were as big as a hand. We finally got it out of her that she had seen horses in books and they were about the size of her hand. When we explained that horses are bigger than me or Toby her eyes got really big.

stables

The first thing we did when we got there was meet the horses and their trainer. I was so nervous about the horses myself that I didn’t actually get a good shot of Bug petting them (stupid low light and bad angles), but she did. She was quite impressed. The trainer was very nice.

Juan leads the horses

A stable hand, named Juan, led the model horses out to the pasture to be photographed. The owner of this ranch is selling his property and Toby thought it might be nice to have a few horses in the foreground of his regal estate.

killling time

Then we drove around to the front of the property and Toby climbed up on top of his van to get his shot. Who needs a giant ladder pod when you can climb up on top of your big old Eurovan to get your angle? He does it all the time. I’ve even had to patch up his pants a time or two from some of his stunts. I hope I’m not giving away a trade secret here but I thought you guys might find it interesting. I’d share the shot he took while up there but he’s still processing the images. Instead here’s a shot Bug took:

Dad

not my best angle

And one of me, though I’m not so fond of this angle.

It was hot and dusty out there. It’s amazing how going inland a few miles in Southern California means the temperature goes up dramtically. We think we’ve had it bad during this latest heat wave, but it was scorching out in San Juan Capistrano. I could almost feel the moisture being sucked out of my skin.

cantering

The horses don’t seem to mind the heat much. They seemed to love it out here. I suppose horses would like to trot along the beach just as much as I do but there’s lots more room for them out here. Miles and miles as far as you can see there are hills and valleys just waiting to be galloped over. We walked around the property a bit and had the pleasure of watching two girls learning how to ride. They galloped and trotted and jumped over gates. It was all very exciting.

following Daddy

Not bad for a day’s work. Then we left and drove straight to Starbucks for the biggest coldest passion iced tea we could buy, and boy did it taste good.

14 Comments

  • The Bug

    September 26, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    Fun day! I think Bug did very well with her photo shoot – half the time my photos are blurry, so I think she did great!

    The van reminds me of some of the ones we had when I was with the Baptist Mission in Zambia – except of course we drove on the wrong side of the road. I wish my hubby & I had a van. We have no children, but they’re so great to haul stuff around in – & ride much smoother than the Jeep we have now.

  • Melissa

    September 26, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    That first pic is awesome! My husband would be in love with that ranch seeing as he loves horses. The heat… not so much.

  • Beth

    September 27, 2009 at 4:51 am

    I think it’s great that you let her take pic’s from her view. Mommy and daddy look very nice from where she stands. Bug is one lucky girl!

    nice post, keep up the good work,I for one love reading your posts!

  • bethany

    September 27, 2009 at 9:16 am

    what a great day, the ones together are the best aren’t they? rare when married to an artist who’s always working :). and i love bug’s shots, they’re fab!

  • BeachMama

    September 27, 2009 at 9:27 am

    What a great day. I can imagine that it would be lots of fun to tag along with Toby when he works. And I love that he is using the Van, I am not sure my roof would hold me ;).

    Bugs photos are great too, she takes after her Dad as well as her Mom.

  • Sarah

    September 28, 2009 at 1:00 am

    I love Bug’s photos of her Mom and Dad. I’m probably a head or so taller than Bug and so I recognised that angle – it’s pretty much how I see people and, for what it’s worth, you all look fine from down here ;-)