Learn to Photograph Horses with Skill, Creativity, and Confidence
Registration for the 2026 Wings Mentorship has ended.
You don’t need another course.
You need someone in your corner.
You’ve done everything you were supposed to do. You invested in good gear. You took the free classes. You tried the tips. And your photos are improving, but not in the way you hoped. Something feels just out of reach, and the more you try to figure it out alone, the more frustrating it becomes. What you’re missing isn’t effort. It’s guidance.
Wings is a 3-month online group mentorship designed for photographers who are ready to move beyond tips and tricks into real mastery. It’s where you develop the technical skill, creative vision, and inner confidence
Led by someone who’s spent over two decades photographing horses professionally (and is still a working professional), Wings bridges the gap between learning and real-world experience.
Through personalized mentorship and the encouragement of a small, supportive community, Wings will give you the clarity, skills, and confidence to take your photography to new heights!
Wings is for you if...
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You’re looking for honest, transparent education and mentorship from an experienced professional with a proven track record as both a photographer and photography mentor.
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You have a hundred photography questions and wish you had someone you could actually ask.
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You love photographing horses but aren’t getting the results you want, and your confidence could use a boost.
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You want to walk into a session knowing exactly what to do, even when conditions aren’t ideal.
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You’d love to edit your photos with confidence so they look consistent, polished, and true to life.
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You’ve bought online courses but struggled to finish them or put what you learned into practice.
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You want to be part of a small, encouraging community that celebrates your wins and keeps you inspired.
"The best investment you can make in yourself and your business."
Wings is the best investment you can make in yourself and your business. This mentorship is on a level of teaching that brightens your soul, evokes your creativity, and silences your fears.
Working with Shelley is like working alongside a sister who really wants to see you at your fullest potential and supports you even on the days you may not be able to support yourself.
Shelley's knowledge is generational, and your method of teaching is clear and concise and easy to follow. Her straightforward lessons are a breeze to navigate and split into easy to digest and absorb content that will last a lifetime.
"I feel empowered!"
I feel more confident that I can deliver a client's gallery with a higher level of expertise, consistency and quality.
I have definitely gained some powerful new editing skills as well as my eyes & brain have been trained to pay attention during my shoots to make life easier in post production.
Self Study is great but this was ten times better for gaining experience and a favorable outcome where the elements that you learned actually stick with you. Not only do you learn from the actual materials and instructor but you also learn a lot from the group. I learned from their questions as well as my own.
I feel empowered! Thank You!
What will you learn?
The answer is: EVERYTHING you need to know to confidently create and edit consistently beautiful, high-quality equestrian photos!
- Week One - Preparing for a Safe, Successful Session
- Week Two - Tools of the Trade and Optimal Camera Settings
- Week Three - Natural Posing for Horse and Rider
- Week Four - Finding the Light, Finding the Magic
- Week Five - Composition for Better Storytelling
- Week Six - Workflow that Saves Time and Money
- Week Seven - Lightroom for the Equestrian Photographer
- Week Eight - Perfecting Your Images with Retouching
- Week Nine - Black Background Fine Art
- Week Ten - Full Session Editing and Retouching Demo
- Week Eleven - Pricing and Marketing Your Equine Photography
- Week Twelve - Wrap up and Final Q&A
Meet Your Mentor
Hi! I'm Shelley
I am an equestrian photographer, educator, and lifelong horse lover. For more than two decades, I’ve built a thriving career creating powerful, story-rich images for equestrians, major equine brands, magazines, and organizations worldwide.
Along the way, I’ve become a trusted educator in the equine photography community, leading workshops, speaking at events, and mentoring photographers who now thrive in their own creative journeys.
I’ve learned that skill alone isn’t what makes a great photographer. Confidence, vision, and community make all the difference.
That’s why I created Wings, a hands-on mentorship built on real-world experience, honest feedback, and genuine connection.
My teaching style is encouraging and down-to-earth, shaped by years of professional experience and a genuine desire to see you succeed. My favorite words to say while teaching? “Good job!” Because growth should always feel supported.
Real Stories of Growth and Transformation from Wings Alumni
Alyssa Smolen
Alyssa Smolen Photography
"I was struggling with the decision to continue pursuing equine photography full time. I was *very* close to throwing in the towel and being done with charging for photography sessions.
Learning from Shelley and the other members was such a huge boost for me, and was a great way to build connections and create a support system. I highly, HIGHLY, recommend taking the leap and joining this mentorship."
Learning from Shelley and the other members was such a huge boost for me, and was a great way to build connections and create a support system. I highly, HIGHLY, recommend taking the leap and joining this mentorship."
Taylor Kos
Gold Horse Media
"Prior to the mentorship, I was drowning in work and self-doubt. It would take me weeks to edit photos because I wasn't sure anyone would like my style or edits, and I had no idea how to organize my workflow.
I now feel 1000000x more confident! My photos have improved incredibly, my bookings instantly increased and so did my confidence."
I now feel 1000000x more confident! My photos have improved incredibly, my bookings instantly increased and so did my confidence."
Hannah Belanger
Hannah Marie Photography
"The Wings Mentorship made me feel very validated in a lot of my struggles, which has helped to minimize my anxiety about them, as I am now equipped with knowledge and new tools to overcome them.
I feel way more confident about my ability to produce good work consistently and believe in myself as a professional photographer with the ability to do this well!"
I feel way more confident about my ability to produce good work consistently and believe in myself as a professional photographer with the ability to do this well!"
Frequently Asked Questions
I keep Wings small so every photographer gets personal support, so I limit it to around 16 members.
While Wings is designed for photographers whose focus is horses, especially portraits of horses and their people, it’s also a great fit for photographers in other genres who want to get started in equine photography.
Wings includes an introductory lesson on pricing and marketing, but its primary focus is helping photographers strengthen their craft.
You’re not alone! A large portion of Wings students live in cold climates and complete the mentorship during the winter months. The program is designed with that in mind. A lot of the growth you’ll experience comes from learning to see light, plan intentionally, refine your editing, and understand storytelling… skills you can develop even when you’re not shooting every week. And when you do get a shooting window, even a short one, you’ll know exactly what to do with it.
Absolutely. Wings was created for photographers who love horses and are serious about improving, no matter their current skill level. You’ll get step-by-step guidance, personal feedback, and encouragement every step of the way.
Every photographer who fully engages with Wings leaves with stronger skills, a clearer creative vision, and greater confidence behind the camera. The lessons are practical, the feedback is personal, and the progress you’ll see is real.
Wings isn’t a self-paced course you take alone. It’s an interactive mentorship where you’ll learn directly from an experienced professional who still works in the field every day. You’ll gain personal feedback, community support, and insight you simply can’t get from pre-recorded lessons.
Because many participants also work full-time or have busy schedules, calls are held on Monday evenings at 7 pm Central Time. All sessions are recorded so you can rewatch anytime.
A DSLR or mirrorless camera body and a lens that’s at least 85mm is recommended (a 70–200mm is ideal). For software, you’ll need Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Photo Mechanic is also helpful.
Only for members enrolled in the VIP Mentorship. However, Wings members receive 20% off one-on-one Zoom mentoring calls during the mentorship.
Only two lessons require you to work with actual horses. Everything else can be completed without them. For the lessons that involve going out and taking photos, you can easily practice with a friend, a pet, or even a stand-in like a stuffed animal or model horse. The goal is to help you understand concepts like light, and composition, and those translate beautifully no matter what (or who) you’re photographing.
Life happens, and Wings is built to fit into yours. Each week’s lesson builds on the last, but you’ll have access to replays, homework feedback, and a supportive group to help you stay on track, even if you need to catch up later.
Due to a busy summer and fall schedule, I only offer Wings once per year from January through March.
Yes! Wings is entirely online, so you can participate from anywhere in the world. If the live call time doesn’t work for your time zone, you can watch the replays and submit your homework for personalized feedback.
The Wings Confidence Guarantee
Become more confident behind the camera or your money back!
I’ve poured my heart and soul into creating Wings, and I’ve watched past students transform their photography, confidence, and creativity through this mentorship. I’m confident it can do the same for you.
If you attend the calls, complete the lessons, and fully participate but still don’t feel more confident in your photography by the end, I’ll refund your full tuition.
All I ask is that you commit wholeheartedly, because transformation only happens when you do.
If you attend the calls, complete the lessons, and fully participate but still don’t feel more confident in your photography by the end, I’ll refund your full tuition.
All I ask is that you commit wholeheartedly, because transformation only happens when you do.
Give the Gift of Growth!
Gift Certificates Available
Is there someone in your life who you think would love the Wings Mentorship? Then consider giving them the mentorship experience as a gift! Just reach out to me at [email protected] to purchase a gift certificate.
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