About The Photographer

Nicole Schultz

A camera has been in my hands as long as horses have been in my life…

Since picking up a camera, my goal has always been to capture the moments that, as an equestrian, I would have cherished myself—the approach to the final fence, the floaty trot out of a courtesy circle, or the quiet thank-you to your horse after a memorable round. Starting young with ambition, I’ve grown as a photographer over the years, learning from others while developing my own style. By blending natural light with authentic moments, I strive to create images that are uniquely yours, preserving the raw emotion of the bond between horse and rider in timeless portraits.

Drawing from my own experiences as a rider and horse owner, I connect with my clients through genuine, emotional moments. Whether cheering on a client in the low adults or capturing a clear round in a prestigious event, I am always present behind the camera, documenting memories to look back on for years to come. Horses are, and always will be, the heart of my photography journey. What began as selling burned CDs at local schooling shows to fund my own rides has grown into traveling across the country to photograph events I once only dreamed of. I feel blessed to have found my calling early and to have had the opportunity to grow with it.

Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, in a household without the means for horses, I quickly learned that hard work and dedication could open doors. A local barn and a generous riding instructor provided opportunities in exchange for my photography skills, turning a side gig into a lifelong dream. Photography became a way to keep horses in my life, eventually allowing me to own my heart horse. Every show I travel to reminds me of my younger self: never give up on your dreams. Every client and horse I photograph is a chance to create images I would have treasured with my own childhood horse.

I call Wellington, Florida, home, where from November through April, you’ll find me riding or standing ringside at Wellington International, photographing my clients competing. In the summer months, I follow the hunter-jumper circuit, visiting places like Lexington, Kentucky; Tryon, North Carolina; and Traverse City, Michigan. I’m always booking horse-and-rider portrait sessions in Florida and across the United States, capturing equestrians and their horses wherever they may be.

My creativity comes alive photographing horses and riders at golden hour, when light filters through the trees and the sun casts a warm, glowing halo. Whether your horse lives in a show barn or your backyard, I photograph anyone whose horse is their whole world, creating imagery that celebrates that special bond.