Samson

Royal Purple

Just in time to miss the Queen's 90th birthday, it's Carltonlima Emma!

I spotted some tiny purple flowers and thought they'd make a nice background for Emma. I love how you can see the purple colour reflected on her black coat. Very regal.

New Toys

Recently at camera club, someone brought in a trio of lens extension tubes. To cut a long story short, I thought they would be very useful for tiny horse photography and as they cost only £13, it would be foolish of me not to buy a set.

I started off with a handful of tiny models on the kitchen table. This is my favourite Stablemate Highland Pony, because of her more realistic eyes and rich dun colour.

A Papo Border Collie:

Thinking I was starting to get the hang of this, I fetched an old Breyer box and used it as a background. Little Stormy, who I haven't yet photographed properly, was up first.

Another Highland - I told you I liked them! This one is from the same Stablemate gift set as Prince.

I love how the ponies of this mould always seem to be smiling. So sweet.

Getting everyone together...

Upping the stakes, we go even smaller, to my favourite Mini Whinnie...

Closer...

The macro rings are great fun. Before I felt a bit limited because I couldn't take good headshots, but nothing in ze world can stop me now!

And to finish, a rare behind the scenes shot...

Back on Form

Not to worry, I haven't forgotten about this blog! Life's been pretty hectic lately with lambing and bad Northern Irish weather getting in the way of my model horse photography. So allow me to make a few introductions...

This is Carltonlima Emma (or Emma, for short):

I got her as a present for my 21st birthday. She is very adorable - but then I am a sucker for fluffy native ponies. It was fun to just take photos of the little details in her mould.

She even has a wonderful little beard.

I also love how her mane covers one of her eyes. It all adds up to a very adorable little pony.

The only other model purchase of this year has been this chap, a Schleich Frisian stallion. I was watching a BBC Musketeers marathon when he arrived, so he's called Athos.

Horses that are just standing, I find, are easier to photograph because they look good from every angle.

Here he is with his friend Aramis:

I had the horses and ponies standing on a book (Equus by Tim Flach) on my bed while I lit them with a torch. This was for my camera club's challenge of taking a macro photograph. I've been waiting forever to have an excuse to take photos of my herd for camera club, and at last I have one.

Prince the Stablemate Shire was very macro indeed.

I couldn't resist, however, taking Phoenix's photograph. He's my favourite model of all.

My goal with these shots was to show form, and I think I've achieved that. Hopefully the gap between this and my next post won't be so large.

Cash by Candlelight

It's a Big World...

In 2015 I didn't buy many Schleich horses, but one of my favourites has to be this Mini Shetty Stallion. The adorableness nearly blew me away, but the clincher was that I have a Miniture Shetland Pony myself, so it would be unthinkable not to have him.

He is adorable.

I am in love with this little fella. His pose is really fun, even if it makes him harder to photograph.

He needed a cheeky name, and I kind of liked Bertie. I can imagine saying "Oh, Bertie" in exasperation as he does something naughty!

My favourite photo of the lot is this one. He just looks so teeny tiny.

Traditional Gifts

I wonder how many people have unwrapped Misty and Stormy on Christmas morning over the years. This year it was my turn. I'd ordered them from America at the end of November, and it was tense wait to see if they'd arrive on time. Thankfully they made it - and they're gorgeous

Misty was the one I was most excited to see in person, but in fact Stormy is very adorable all by himself.

Photos in front of wrapping paper because Christmas.

And just for fun, some size comparisons...

Misty and Laire:

Bonnie and Stormy:

I've now go the two essential mare and foal sets in my collection.

I can't get over just how adorable Stormy is.

I hope you all had a merry Christmas!

Double Ardennes

There was a time, years ago, when I bought every single new Schleich horse that was released that year. It may have taken me most of the year, but I got there eventually. These days, I rarely succumb to the temptation to buy myself a little Schleich horse when I see one. I make myself think, Do I really need this? The answer with these two was, Yes. Yes I do.

I think Scheich has declined in quality over the past few years, and it's sad, but I still hold a soft spot for them a mile wide.

These two caught my eye in the catalogue, and since they are of a breed I didn't have any models of, they were irresistible.

This is the stallion. I love how majestic he looks!

He's very sturdy and stands well - a joy to photograph! And he'll pull hundreds of huge logs without breaking a sweat.

His foal is very adorable. She clearly has a good side, just like her dad.

You can't really see it, but she has a spot of paint on her ear the same colour as her mane. I consider it a birth mark.

Yesterday's awards had put me in a very good mood, so I wanted to take some photos of something! This is the first time I've had a proper go at photographing Schleich for the blog. I had to take the photos in the stick house because it was pouring rain outside. The pair of Ardennes blend in nicely, don't you think?