About

Commercial equine photography and video for brands dedicated to equine health and care.

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When it comes to bringing a campaign or editorial project with horses to life, experience makes all the difference. You want to work with a photographer who has not only mastered their craft, but also understands the horse, and the industries that serve them.

With over 16 years of experience working alongside national brands and agencies, I specialize in creating compelling imagery for the equine Nutrition, Horse Care, and Veterinary industries. 

Each project is more than just a photoshoot – it’s a collaboration. I blend my lifelong knowledge of horses and horse care with years of experience behind the camera to create authentic equine images and videos that leave a lasting impression, staying with the viewer long after they’ve looked away.

Photographer. Horse Lover. Lifelong Equestrian.

From an early age, horses have held a sacred place in my heart. I was that horse-crazy girl who spent her summers on horseback, completely in love with these incredible animals.

Before photography became my full-time career, I worked as a graphic and web designer at a small advertising agency. 21 years ago, I started my own freelance design business, picked up a camera, and began photographing everything -weddings, families, architecture, headshots. But my heart always belonged with the horses.

In 2015, after a traumatic brain injury made the physical demands of wedding photography too challenging, I made the leap into equine photography full-time. Now, I have my dream job – helping brands tell powerful visual stories that connect with horse owners and equestrians on a deeper level.

As both an equine photographer and a horse owner, I’m not just behind the lens – I’m living and breathing the very lifestyle my clients serve. 

Caring for my own three horses has given me firsthand insight into the challenges of equine health, nutrition, and daily horse care. I understand the needs and concerns of horse owners because I share them. My passion for optimizing my own horses’ well-being helps me to create work that truly resonates with the equine industry’s target market.

When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me in the barn or in the saddle, constantly learning, caring, and deepening my connection with my own beloved herd. For me, there’s no better place in the world.

Want to know more? Read my full Photography Journey.

"Shelley knows horses, she sees beautiful light and is a breeze to work with. We did a whirlwind two-day shoot capturing hundreds of great shots for our client Triple Crown to use for marketing and social media applications. I can’t wait to partner with her again!"

Stefan Hartung, Owner/Creative
Kick, Branding & Design Agency

LET'S CONNECT!

I would love to connect with you about learn about how we can work together.
Email me at [email protected].

WANT TO LEARN FROM ME?
I offer mentoring and education for equine photographers of all skill levels at ShelleyPaulsonEducation.com.

SELECT CLIENTS

COMMERCIAL 

  • Nutrena
  • Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Absorbine
  • Tribute Feeds
  • Farnam Horse
  • Triple Crown Feed
  • Kentucky Equine Research (KER)
  • Alltech
  • Haygain
  • US Rider
  • Weatherbeeta
  • Spalding Labs
  • Kent Feeds
  • Custom Equine Nutrition
  • Tough1

STOCK

  • Purina
  • Absorbine
  • SmartPak
  • Zoetis
  • Covetrus
  • Bluebonnet Feeds
  • Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies
  • State Line Tack
  • Straight Arrow (Cowboy Magic, Exhibitors, Mane and Tail)
  • Manna Pro
  • Lallemand Animal Nutrition
  •  AAEP
  • Equine Network
  • Valley Vet Supply
  • Back in the Saddle

EDITORIAL 

  • Horse Illustrated
  • TheHorse
  • AQHA Journal
  • Western Horseman
  • US Equestrian
  • AAEP
  • Young Rider
  • Horse & Rider
  • Chrome
  • Chronicle of the Horse
  • EquiManagement
  • NRCHA Reiner
  • Practical Horseman
  • Speedhorse
  • Barrel Horse News

RECENT AWARDS

2022 Equine Media Awards: 1st place in Editorial Human-Animal Bond Photograph; 1st place in Editorial Action Photograph, Published in TheHorse

2021 Equine Media Awards: 1st place in Freelance Editorial Photo, Published in The Competitive Equestrian; 2nd place in Editorial Action Photograph and Freelance Editorial Action Photograph, Published in Horse Illustrated

2020 Equine Media Awards: 1st Place, Horse and Human Bond, Published in Horse Illustrated; 2nd place in Equine-Related Editorial Series (writing and photography), Published in Horse Illustrated

2019 Equine Media Awards: 1st place for Best Equine Related Non-Fiction Book, Published by Amherst Media

“Shelley always gets the shot! And, that’s just one reason why we consider her a part of our brand marketing team! From pre-planning to post-production and absolutely everything in-between, Shelley Paulson Photography makes the Farnam brand shine.”

Martha Lefebvre, Senior Marketing Manager
Farnam Horse Care Products