Capturing the Perfect Shot for Sidelines Magazine: Behind the Scenes with Novella Equestrian

I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Taryn on several projects for her equestrian apparel brand, Novella Equestrian, where each design tells the story of a real horse. So when Taryn reached out last fall with the news that we might have a chance at a Sidelines Magazine cover, I was ecstatic. I immediately adjusted my schedule to make this opportunity a priority!

In true Midwest fashion, our scheduled shoot day brought heavy winds with bright sunshine—definitely a challenge for capturing those perfect shots. The wind was relentless, making it tough to find the right lighting while blocking out the gusts. We ended up using the indoor arena light for dramatic lighting, entryways, and sides of buildings to get the best shots possible. The cover story was for the Women’s Entrepreneur issue, so I was especially focused on showcasing Taryn and her vision for Novella while adhering to the magazine’s guidelines.

Most of our time was spent waiting for those moments when the wind would die down just enough to fix hair, get into position, and snap a photo before the gusts returned. Despite the challenging conditions, Taryn, Rayne, and her family were incredibly patient and good-natured throughout the session. But as tough as it was working with high winds, the most challenging part of this project was keeping it secret for nearly half a year!

While I wish the weather had been more cooperative, I’m really proud of what we managed to accomplish under less-than-ideal circumstances. More than anything, I’m grateful to have been part of Taryn’s vision and to contribute to this exciting project. The horse world thrives on kindness and support, and Taryn is a shining example of that spirit. Working with her has been a true highlight in my career and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Novella Equestrian!

Special “Thank you” to Jan Westmark Bauer, Editor-In-Chief of Sidelines Magazine for her collaboration and support!