I’ve been watching a big shift in the equine industry lately. More companies are hiring “content creators” to produce short-form videos and quick lifestyle images for social media. It’s a smart move in many ways. Today’s marketing demands a steady stream of fresh, human, relatable content. But this rise in
I’ve been chasing Lady Aurora since I first picked up a camera over 20 years ago, and in November, I fulfilled a dream I’ve had ever since! When I saw the forecast for strong Northern Lights, I dug through my brain for a friend with well-trained horses and a clear
The Joy of Horses is a limited-edition 2026 wall calendar featuring the equine photography of Shelley Paulson. Each 8.5×11 wire-bound calendar is beautifully printed on premium paper, celebrating the beauty, spirit, and joy of horses all year long. They also make an excellent gift for that horse lover in your life.
One of the most popular services I offer for equine brands is remote lifestyle product photography. For these shoots, my clients ship their products to me. We start with a planning call to discuss their vision, target audience, and goals for the images. From there, I source the perfect location
I’m honored to share that Equestrian Living Magazine recently featured my work and story in their July/August 2025 issue. The article highlights how I got started in photography, the turning points in my career, and the values that continue to shape how I work today, especially the importance of consistency,
A few weeks ago, I got an unexpected (and exciting!) message from my friend Kate Nelson. She let me know that someone from TPT – Twin Cities PBS would be reaching out to me. Curious, I said yes to the conversation, and I’m so glad I did. TPT was in
Farnam Horse × The Castellows • Santa Barbara, November 2024 Last November, I had the privilege of working on a full‑production shoot for Farnam Horse as they launched their complete rebrand. Farnam rolled out refreshed packaging, new messaging, and a redesigned logo, all geared toward connecting deeper with horse owners
I’m honored to share that this image received 1st Place in the Freelance Editorial Photograph category at the 2025 Equine Media Awards, presented by American Horse Publications (AHP). These annual awards recognize excellence in equine journalism, photography, and media, and draw entries from top professionals across the industry. This photo
For over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with amazing brands in the horse industry, creating imagery that tells stories and connects with horse owners. But recently, I had a light bulb moment! 💡 Most of my clients fall into three areas: equine feed & nutrition, veterinary products,
Near the end of last summer, I had the opportunity to work with Absorbine on a lifestyle product shoot featuring their new UltraShield Gold Fly Spray. Absorbine is a trusted name in equine care, and capturing images and video clips for their latest product was an exciting project that combined
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?
Horses aren’t just animals to those of us who love them – they’re part of our lives, our businesses, and our passion. So, imagine my disappointment when I recently flipped through an equine publication and saw multiple ads using AI-generated horse images. Something felt off. The heart, the authenticity –
When I traveled to Oregon for the Weatherbeeta shoot, I knew I wanted to make the most of my time in such a stunning location. With the golden light of the western landscape and a group of gorgeous ranch horses at my disposal, I decided to stay a few extra
As a commercial equine photographer, I love the challenge of bringing a brand’s vision to life, especially when it involves capturing the essence of horses in breathtaking locations. Recently, I had the opportunity to do just that for Weatherbeeta, a globally respected brand known for its high-quality horse rugs and
Feast your eyes on beautiful horses all year long with my 2025 “Luminous Equus” Calendar! I’m excited to share that pre-sales are now open for my 2025 Calendar, featuring some of my favorite equine images from the past few years. This year’s calendar will be available ONLY during the presale
I had the exciting opportunity to be interviewed live on Minnesota Public Radio by Cathy Wurzer! While the segment was short, it was a wonderful chance to talk about my passion for equine photography and the artistry behind capturing the grace and beauty of horses. A Conversation About Equine Photography
I’m incredibly honored to have my story featured in the Summer Issue of the University of Minnesota Alumni Magazine! Fun fact: I received my degree from the U of M in Vocal Performance with the intention of becoming an opera singer! The beautifully written story by Ellen Ryan documents my
had a fruitful mentor session earlier this year where I received feedback on my work and input on how to better present myself as an Equine Commercial and Stock Photographer. One thing she mentioned is to take more of a storytelling approach to my stock library photoshoots. This was a
I’m excited to share some recent work I created for USRider, a company that offers essential roadside assistance specifically for horse owners. Unlike traditional auto clubs, USRider understands the unique challenges of traveling with horses and provides coverage that includes horse trailers, ensuring that both drivers and their equine companions
It’s like getting a wrapped present in the mail when I see an issue of Horse Illustrated in my mailbox containing a story and photos I submitted. I never know which images they will pick and how they will arrange them in the magazine. When I got to the opening
As I was cleaning stalls the other day, pondering the meaning of life, my thoughts wandered to the meaning of my work. In 2021, I shifted my business from serving a mix of commercial and portrait clients to primarily serving commercial and editorial clients. The “why” behind
I just returned from a fantastic trip to Kentucky, where I attended the American Horse Publications conference and created new images for my Equine Stock Library! I love visiting Kentucky because it’s pure horse country! I spent a day photographing everyday activities around a dressage training barn, such as riding, cleaning
For years I’ve been wanting to get a silhouette of a horse in front of the northern lights. When I saw how strong they were last night, I knew it was possible! We have trees to the north, so I had to get very low to get my horse above
A client I’ve really enjoyed working with for the past few years is Boehringer Ingelheim Equine Health. Their agency is located in Minneapolis, which makes working together easy because there’s no out-of-state coordination, casting, or travel involved. Minnesota has an incredible array of beautiful horses, skilled riders, and gorgeous locations.