Last fall, I had the opportunity to photograph English riding lifestyle images for Tough1, a company known for its quality equestrian gear. This project was particularly exciting because the images were created specifically for Tough 1’s booth at the WESA trade show in Dallas this past January.
What is WESA?
For those unfamiliar, WESA (the Western & English Sales Association) hosts one of the largest trade events in the equestrian industry. It’s a place where retailers, manufacturers, and sales representatives gather to connect, showcase products, and conduct business in an atmosphere of fair trade and fellowship. With over 550 product lines and more than 3,700 retailers attending each year, WESA is a key event for brands looking to make an impact in the equestrian market.
The Shoot at Copeland Farms
For this shoot, I partnered with my friends at Copeland Farms, where we showcased Tough1’s dressage, jumping, and cross-country products. The goal was to create imagery that felt authentic and immersive—capturing the elegance, athleticism, and everyday functionality of these products in action.
Their Initial Reaction
It’s really the best kind of email to get from a client right after seeing the proofs from a shoot: “These look amazing!! Everyone in the office is in awe!”
Seeing the Final Booth
One of the most rewarding parts of this project was seeing the final images displayed at the Tough1 booth at WESA. The client was kind enough to send me some cell phone photos of the finished setup (which also included some blanket photos from other shoots), and it was amazing to see how the images came to life in a large-scale trade show environment. Seeing my work play a role in a brand’s marketing at such a major industry event is always an incredible feeling! Scroll to the end to see those photos.
Looking Ahead
This shoot was a great experience for everyone involved, and I’m so grateful to Tough1 for trusting me with this project. It was a pleasure working with Kenzie, Maura and Lauren at Copeland Farms to bring these images to life, and I can’t wait to see how Tough1 continues to use them in their marketing efforts beyond WESA.
