Cowboy photoshoot in Batumi: outfits, horses and how to prepare

Almost every visitor to Batumi gets a photoshoot by the sea. Very few get a cowboy one with a horse. A hat, embroidered boots, a leather vest and a real horse by your side turn a couple of hours into a story you will want to look back on for years. Here is how to prepare so the shoot goes smoothly and the photos turn out the way you imagined.

Why a western look by the Black Sea

Western style photographs well for a simple reason: it is full of texture. Leather, suede, shirt embroidery, fringe, and a hat brim that casts a soft shadow across the face. Even in a simple pose the look reads at once, and nobody needs an explanation of what is going on in the shot.

Batumi adds something the classic Wild West backdrop never had: the green mountains of Adjara on the horizon and the sunset over the sea. It feels less like a costume party and more like a real shoot with real light and a real horse.

Which outfit to choose

Start with the mood, and the items will follow. We have put together four ready-made looks from our wardrobe, and you can swap any piece in each of them.

• The Sheriff. A white Cattleman hat, a black decorative shirt, a black leather vest, Justin suede boots and a red bandana. Sharp and graphic, it looks great against a light background. The whole look is about 97 ₾, open it in the wardrobe.
• Rodeo Star. A Resistol straw hat with feathers, a dark pink embroidered shirt, a fringe cape, pink Ariat boots and a corset belt. For those who want all eyes on them. About 120 ₾, open it in the wardrobe.
• Ranch Hand. A brown hat, an orange plaid shirt, a leather vest and worn-in Rocky boots. Warm colors that look especially good at sunset. About 92 ₾, open it in the wardrobe.
• Prairie Drifter. A Seeberger straw hat, a light blouse with lacing, a light leather vest and white boots. An easy summer look for a shoot by the sea. About 112 ₾, open it in the wardrobe.

If you would rather not choose yourself, take the “What kind of cowboy are you?” quiz: three questions, and a look from our wardrobe is ready, price included.

Hat, boots and the rest

The hat and the boots are the stars of the shot. Start with them and everything else will fall into place.

The hat sets the character. A black felt hat looks serious, a white one looks festive, a straw one says summer. The brim shades your eyes, so in bright sun lift your chin slightly or tip the hat back. We have ten hats in the wardrobe, and most of them rent for 10–15 ₾.

The boots appear in almost every full-length shot and in detail close-ups. Ostrich leather or bright embroidery works as an accent, while plain suede boots do not compete with the rest of the outfit. If you are heading to a location with horses, walking on grass and hay is much easier in cowboy boots than in sneakers.

The vest, shirt and accessories pull the look together. A 2 ₾ bandana is the cheapest way to add color. A leather belt with a big buckle or a corset belt defines the waist. For the bold, there are leather chaps.

To make sure everything fits, tell us your clothing and shoe sizes when you book. For a hat, your head circumference helps if you know it.

How to behave around a horse

A horse is not a prop but a large living animal. Follow a few simple rules and it will happily pose with you.

1. Approach from the front and slightly to the side so the horse can see you. Never walk up from behind.
2. Move smoothly and speak calmly. Suddenly waving a hat near a horse's head can startle it.
3. Listen to the person holding the horse. They know its temper best and will tell you where to stand.
4. Stroke the neck and shoulder, not the nose. Do not feed the horse without permission.
5. Only get in the saddle with a helper, even if you have ridden before.

You do not need to know how to ride. Many of the best shots are taken next to the horse: you hold the reins, walk alongside it or lean against its shoulder.

When to shoot: season and time of day

The softest light comes an hour or an hour and a half before sunset. In Batumi the sun sets over the sea, so in the evening it lights you from the side and from behind, making the hat brim and the horse's mane glow. Mornings work too: the light is even, there are fewer people around, and in summer it is not hot yet.

In summer it is best to avoid the middle of the day. The sun is high, the hat throws dark shadows on your face, and leather and boots quickly become heavy in Batumi's humid heat.

The most comfortable months are May to June and September to October: warm, but not stuffy. Batumi is a rainy city, so keep a spare day in your plans in case of bad weather. An overcast sky is not a problem, by the way: diffused light falls evenly on the face and the shadows under the brim become softer.

Shots that always work

If you are not a professional model, keep this list in mind and ask the photographer to take every one of them.

• Portrait in the hat. A look from under the brim, a hand on the crown.
• Walking with the horse. You walk holding the reins while the photographer shoots from the side.
• At the fence. Lean your elbows on the rail with one foot on the bottom bar.
• Thumbs in the belt. The classic cowboy pose that keeps your hands out of the way.
• Details. Boots on hay, a belt buckle, a hand on the mane, a hat on a fence post.
• From behind. You and the horse walk into the sunset. Your face is not visible, so there is no need to think about your expression.

What to bring

• Comfortable clothes to arrive in and change back into.
• Thin, tall socks: they make boots more comfortable.
• Sunscreen and water, a must in summer.
• A hair tie and hairpins: a hat changes your hairstyle.
• A spare day in your plans in case of rain.

How to book

1. Choose a look in the quiz or build your own in the wardrobe.
2. Send a request: the date, how many of you there are and your sizes. Let us know if you need a photographer.
3. We will get in touch, confirm the date and details, and get the clothes ready for the shoot.

FAQ

How much does a cowboy photoshoot in Batumi cost?

Renting items costs from 2 ₾ for a bandana to 40 ₾ for boots, and a full five-piece look usually comes to about 100 ₾. A photoshoot with a horse and a look from our wardrobe starts at 150 ₾. We will give you the exact price once we know the date and how many of you there will be.

Do I need to know how to ride?

No. Most shots are taken next to the horse. If you would like photos in the saddle, mention it in your request and we will discuss it in advance.

Can I bring my own photographer?

Yes. You can come with your own photographer or ask us to recommend one. Photographers who bring clients get a discount on the wardrobe.

Can I rent an outfit without a photoshoot?

Yes. Any item from the wardrobe can be rented on its own: a hat for a party, boots for a walk or a full outfit for the weekend.

Can you dress a whole group?

Yes. For birthdays, bachelorette parties and corporate events we dress groups of five or more with a discount. Tell us in your request how many guests there will be.