She Dreamed of This | Horse Portrait Orange County

The day I booked Sammy’s session, my heart lit up in every direction. It felt like the beginning of a dream I didn’t even know I’d been waiting for.

Fifteen. A beloved horse. Tulle and boots. Golden light on a well-worn trail. It already felt like a memory before we even began.

A young woman and her horse. It might not seem like a grand milestone to everyone, but for me, it felt like a dream lifted from the pages of my childhood.

As a little girl, I was always drawn to horses — their beauty, their calm. And once I became a photographer, a new dream quietly took shape: to photograph a woman with her horse. So when Laura reached out and asked if I’d capture her daughter Sammy with Indie, I said yes without hesitation. I hadn’t photographed horses before, but I knew this was the kind of story I wanted to tell.

The Beauty in Doing Something New

As a photographer, I never want to stop chasing the kind of beauty that stirs something deep. That often means stepping outside my comfort zone — saying yes to new stories, especially when they carry personal meaning.

Photographing Sammy and Indie that evening reminded me of the magic that happens when stories meet dreams.

This wasn’t about crossing something off a list. It was about honoring the bond between a young woman and her horse, her unfolding spirit, her family, and this luminous moment before she steps further into womanhood.

That’s what I love most about this work — crafting sessions that hold tenderness and meaning, preserving memories that only grow more precious with time.

What Made This Session So Unforgettable

1. The Moment the Story Began
When Laura first described Sammy’s outfit — an ivory tulle dress paired with cowboy boots — I felt that quiet thrill that only happens when a vision begins to unfold.

Sammy didn’t just wear the look — she owned it. The way she held Indie’s reins, the natural rhythm of her steps along the dirt trail, the light dancing around her in the trees… it felt like watching a story unveil itself in real time.

Some moments aren’t meant to be posed — they’re meant to be felt. And this one was all feeling.

2. Nature Framing Real Connection

This wasn’t just any trail — it was one they knew by heart. The kind of place that holds stories in its roots. As we walked through the dappled light and green trees, the sun began to dip low, casting that golden glow I always chase. It felt quiet, sacred, and full of softness.

Indie moved with such calm intuition, mirroring Sammy’s energy without being directed. At one point, he nuzzled gently into her cheek — a moment that felt almost whispered.

3. A Family Tangled in Love
I took a few moments to bring Laura and Nathan into the frame — a chance to capture not just Sammy and Indie, but the heart of their family. Indie, of course, wasn’t about to be left out. He wandered right up into the scene like he knew exactly what we were doing, adding a little unscripted magic to the moment.

You can’t rehearse joy. But you can make space for it. And that’s exactly what we did.

Why Some Sessions Just Stay With You

Some sessions leave a quiet imprint — the kind that lingers long after the last photo is taken. This one felt like that.

Maybe it was because it touched a dream I’ve carried for years. Or maybe it was the way Sammy connected so effortlessly with Indie, how the light seemed to wrap around her like it belonged there, how her parents looked on with pride and ease.

It reminded me why I do this — to hold space for beauty, for connection, and for stories that deserve to be remembered not just for how they looked, but how they felt.

Whether you come with a horse, your dog, your partner, or just your full, honest self — there’s always a story worth telling.

Let’s Dream Together

If you’re holding onto a vision — maybe a session with a horse, in a field of wildflowers, barefoot in the sand on the beach, or sitting quietly on the front steps of your home — I want to hear about it.

I’m always looking for stories that echo the deepest parts of your heart.

You can learn more about my process and see recent sessions over on my website at Terialina Photography. And if there’s a session tugging at your spirit, I hope you’ll reach out. Chances are, I’ll fall in love with your idea just like I did with Sammy’s.

And who knows — your dream might become mine too.

With love,
Terial