Horses, Dogs and their People

Gail Bates has long been one of the most successful photographers in the equine industry.

With a strong love of all animals, Gail is available for photo shoots of horses, dogs, other pets and people. On-site at your farm or show event, or at a scenic location within traveling distance of Lockeford, CA, Gail looks forward to working with you to capture your special moment with your furry or hooved friend.

A journey of continuous improvement

A former court reporter whose chronic fibromyalgia effected that career, Gail began taking photographs of friends and riding students with their horses and realized that photography was a career she wanted to pursue.

An apprenticeship with a professional photographer in Palm Springs and a stint as a public relations photographer gave her the technical skills, and when she returned to the horse world in 1982 she ventured full-time in the horse photography business.

A dozen years later, already a highly successful horse photographer, Gail realized the industry trend was shifting toward the electronic/computer end of the business and went for training in computer graphics to keep up with the times.

My marketing abilities are a result of trying things and then assessing what worked and what didn't. I still try to follow through and find avenues that work for different kinds of horses.

By Gail Bates

Gail was the Official Photographer at the 1994 & 1995 APHA World Championship Shows. Also to her credits, Official Photographer for the Australia National Paint Championships, National Quarter Horse Championships, National Appaloosa Championships, National Halter Championships and National Cutting Horse Futurity for a number of years.

These days, she's as busy with her advertising business as the photography and has emerged as an expert in the field of equine marketing.