Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #20

Q:

I consider Alys an expert! Does she have any advice for taking these wonderful photos? Not just equipment (although that is always of interest), but time of day, how to get those amazing action shots, beautiful portraits, etc. I enjoy her photography so much! Thank you, Alys.

Betsy McGrath

New York, NY

Zenyatta enjoying some winter mud. Photo by Alys Emson.
Zenyatta enjoying some winter mud. Photo by Alys Emson.

A: Obviously good equipment does help a great deal, and you need a camera that is capable of shooting at high speed. I use a Canon 7D that was very generously given to me by the Mosses. A telephoto zoom lens helps me get close to the action when I’m shooting in a large paddock.

Light is one of the most important factors. Good light can make all the difference to a photo. In the summer I try to shoot early or late to avoid too much glare. The light is softer earlier on in the day especially in KY where we are quite humid. In the dead of winter it is pretty much the opposite—I go and shoot once the sun is at full strength.

As far as the action shots go, a lot of it is being in the right place at the right time. Most of the time the horses are pretty tranquil here so there isn’t a lot of action. The best time to shoot is when they are first turned back out. The yearlings and foals will usually run and play for a little while after they have been up and in separate stalls for a few hours.

I walk the fields and paddocks quite frequently as I find that is the best way to get to know the young stock and I always carry a camera, which often can lead to some nice shots. I am a total amateur so don’t let that hold you back. Invest in a decent camera and lens and fire away!!

Our Expert

Alys Emson

Client Management, Lane’s End

Alys has been at Lane’s End for fourteen years. She has worked in every division of the farm and is now in charge of client management, keeping owners up to speed about the lives of their horses.

Reader Interactions

825 Comments

  2. / Reply

    What a great job you have, Alys, and what a great job you do! Thanks for all the wonderful pictures of our beautiful Zenyatta and Z12!

  4. / Reply

    Thank you, Alys, for all the lovely pics of Zenyatta, Baby Z, and all the mares and babies at Lane’s End. It’s such a joy to get to share in all that beauty. You clearly have an artistic eye! Keep up the great work!

    Stel

  6. / Reply

    Thank you Alys for the wonderful photos. I envy you, being able to work at beautiful Lanes End Farm and to be around horses all day. I enjoy all the pictures of Zenyatta and Z12. You are doing a great job keeping all of Zenyatta’s fans up to date on her life and it is greately appreciated.

  8. / Reply

    Hope she feels better soon, She was one of the best on the race track. I hope she is able too have more foals. She looks great after her surgery. Her baby filly is beautiful and she looks just like her mom. I hope she has the speed on the track like her mom and dad.

    • / Reply

      Rhoda,

      Rachel Alexandra is the mare who had complications after foaling. Zenyatta (who is pictured on this blog) has not yet foaled and hopefully when she does she will not experience any complications.

    • / Reply

      hi guy….would love to see photos of Weekend Surprise….one of Sec’s daughters I think…but she is not Zenny’s grandma…but a great horse nevertheless

      • / Reply

        Weekend Surprise born April 8 1980 passed on March 13, 2001 and 1992 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. She was Secretariats daughter also. No connection to Zenyatta but a great broodmare with super pedigree for sure.

    • / Reply

      I would love to see these too! When I was putting my Secretariat photo album together, as well as his progeny, the only photo that I could purchase was of a very, very old Weekend Surprise. So I would just love to see her as a younger girl!

    • / Reply

      Weekend Surprise is closely related to both of Z’s foals, though, through A.P. Indy.
      I’ve got a Seattle Slew stallion and I just love seeing Z go to that line! Go Slew!

  10. / Reply

    Thank you, Alys, for the great answer to Betsy’s great question. We all think you have one of the best jobs in the world.
    Thank you, too, to Jerry and Ann Moss for furnishing the camera so that we Dumplings can get the best pictures possible. Of course, we don’t want to leave Zenny out. It helps to have a great subject too.

  11. / Reply

    Dear Alys,
    You may think of yourself a an amateur in photography, but you have a definite knack and gift with the camera. You capture the true, spiritual essence of these equine angels, so that we “visitors” feel as though we are in the actual presence of them. Thank you, Alys, and many thank yous to Lane’s End for all that is done for us. All that you have given us is so life changing and positive. Thank you, again, h+

    • / Reply

      Yea! Love Lava Man, another Seattle Slew grandson! Wish he had been able to pass his abilities on!

      Rooting for He’s Had Enough because I love seeing Lava Man escort these kids out on the track!

  15. / Reply

    ♥ Good Morning My Queen! ♥
    The camera as a “gift” does not surprise me – Ann and Jerry are one of the MOST generous people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing!

    Photography has been my hobby for many, many years. I hope to buy a new camera for my trip to Lexington later this year (wink wink) When you have a good camera, it’s not difficult to capture good pictures :-) – and when it’s Zenyatta, well…. she never takes a bad picture!

    {{hugs} Zenyatta, Sweetheart XOXO
    ♥ Auntie Judy (will start pacing the month of March)

  19. / Reply

    Alys, thank you for answering a question I’ve had as well and taking yet another gorgeous picture of our Zenny. I have no doubt the Mosses gave you one of the best cameras available. Their generosity is well known and they certainly do love their Zenyatta. It’s always wonderful to visit this site and found new information waiting.

  20. / Reply

    Alys, this pictue is proof a good roll in the mud is good for the complexion. Zenny looks fantastic. Thanks for your answer and the picture.

  21. / Reply

    Great pic. Who doesn’t love a roll in the mud. Zenyatta looks terrific. Still praying for Rachel so she can roll in the mud after she gets healed and back to her splendid deserving self. Stay strong girls. And fight like a girl. Go girl power.

  22. / Reply

    Dear Alys:

    Beautiful photo of Z today. Love all of your photos. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Hugs, JB

  23. / Reply

    So happy the spotlight is on Alys and her wonderful photos. Thank you Alys, from the bottom of my heart! Truly these photos are all magnificent, especially those of our Queen, featuring her life on the “farm”. Without question you have the job all of us wish we had!! Lucky you! Hugs and keep those photos and videos coming!!

  24. / Reply

    Thanks for today’s great photo Alys along with your helpful hints and camera info. I already own too many cameras, but I can see that my investments where perhaps not in the right class of camera (and the telephoto zoom seems to be a real “must” in your situation). I agree with everyone else, you may not be a paid professional, but you certainly have a wonderful eye, and we thank you SO much for all of your efforts to keep us visually in touch with Zenny, Prince, and their friends.

  25. / Reply

    P.S. This pose of Z’s is another of her “look of eagles” poses that just thrills me beyond measure every time! The most important thing that is transmitted through your lens, though, is that Zenyatta looks happy — and that makes me happy, indeed!

  27. / Reply

    Thank you, Alys for your suggestions.

    Getting a good camera has been on my list for a while now. Hope to get one soon.

    What a lovely picture of Zenyatta!

  28. / Reply

    Great to have an opportunity to thank you, Alys, for all of the super photos here on Zenny’s site. You may consider yourself an amateur, but I sure don’t! Many of the photos you’ve done of Zenny and Z-12 are works of art — the lighting is perfect and the images are just so expressive. I’m very glad to hear that Mosses are supporting your giftedness, but I’m not really surprised. Mr & Mrs. M seem to be fantastic people!

    Kisses to you, Big Girl and to your yearling son, as well as the much-anticipated mystery baby. I’ll be back ASAP. Am very excitedly setting up my new MAC in my art studio!

  30. / Reply

    Alys, What other job in this world would give you so much appreciation in the span of 1 day and it will continue for more!
    Thank you for capturing Zenyatta in fine style for us. We love her.
    Mary

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