Horse Engagement Photos

Cody + Brecklyn are tying the knot this fall, and to kick off the celebration, we met up in November to do round one of their engagement photos. From the moment they arrived, it was clear this session was going to be something special. With a love story rooted in the western way of life, their engagement session reflected everything that makes them who they are—horses, rodeo, open spaces, and, of course, their loyal pup, Tex.

Cody is a PRCA Steer Wrestler, and Brecklyn is a barrel racer, so naturally, they wanted to incorporate their love for rodeo into their photos. Including their horses was a no-brainer, and it added such a personal touch to their engagement session. There’s something so authentic about capturing a couple in their element, doing what they love most, and these two were completely at home in the saddle. Their connection was evident in every moment, whether they were walking hand in hand, saddling up, or sharing quiet moments with their horses.

We started their session in a gorgeous open field in Texas, where the golden light peered over the rocks in the background and gave everything a warm, dreamy glow. Cody and Brecklyn kept things classic with western-inspired outfits that fit their personalities perfectly. Brecklyn wore a stunning wild rage and western belt buckle that popped against her neutral-toned outfit, and Cody kept it timeless with a crisp button-up, jeans, and his signature cowboy hat. Their effortless style made for some truly stunning images, and their chemistry made my job easy.

Tex, their dog, also joined in on the fun. If you’ve ever tried to take pictures with a dog, you know it can be a bit of a challenge, but Tex was a natural! He stayed right by their side, posing like a pro and soaking up all the attention. The best part? Tex is going to be part of their wedding in October, so this was the perfect practice run. He’ll be walking down the aisle, and I can already tell he’s going to steal the show!

After capturing some portraits of just Cody and Brecklyn, it was time to bring in the horses. The bond they share with their animals is something truly special. Whether they were brushing them, adjusting tack, or simply standing side by side, it was clear these horses weren’t just part of their rodeo careers—they were part of their family. I always love balancing photos of just the two of you with photos including your animals if you choose to bring them along! We will still have plenty of fun just yall.

We wrapped up the session with them riding together, the Texas sunset casting long shadows across the field. There’s something so poetic about the sight of a couple riding off together, and it felt like the perfect way to close out their engagement session. These two embody everything I love about Western love stories—strong roots, shared passions, and an undeniable connection.

Cody and Brecklyn’s love story is one of adventure, dedication, and mutual respect. Their journey together has been shaped by the rodeo road, long hours of training, and a shared commitment to their dreams. It’s rare to find two people so in sync with not only each other but also the lifestyle they love. Watching them interact, it was obvious they are not just partners in life but also in competition, supporting each other through every run, every steer, and every mile traveled. If you are a rodeo couple, you know it takes teamwork.

You may think there could only be so many different photos to take with your horses, but the options are truly endless. Even if you choose not to ride them like Cody and Breck did during their session, there is still so many ways we can incorporate them into your photos to make them unique and special! No need for boring photos around here, if you are down for getting creative, I am your gal!

Their upcoming fall wedding is going to be nothing short of amazing. With their deep ties to the rodeo community, I can already picture a day filled with western elegance, meaningful traditions, and plenty of heartfelt moments. I have no doubt that their wedding day will be as authentic and beautiful as their engagement session. We have been chatting about their wedding plans and I already know it is going to include them branding a cowhide, the pup tex, and again, a lot of horses! We are going to be creating some magic on their wedding day.

Engagement sessions like this remind me why I love what I do. Horse engagement photos? Yes please. There’s something so rewarding about capturing couples in their element, surrounded by the things they love most. Cody and Brecklyn’s session was the perfect blend of romance and real life—raw, unfiltered, and undeniably them. Including horses, your pup, or anything else that is meaningful to the two of you is a way to capture you guys in your element and really get those authentic moments for you that will turn into photos that you will cherish for a lifetime. If you are debating on including your four legged friends in your engagement session, I always say GO FOR IT! You will never regret having photos with them that you can look back on for years to come.

I can’t wait for round two of their engagement photos and, of course, their big day this fall! If their wedding is anything like this session, it’s going to be one for the books. They plan to do their second engagement session in May so they will get a totally different look and feel for their session with all the green, Texas wildflowers on full display, and including a few horses next time! Of course this probably goes without saying, but Mr. Tex will be making an appearance again too so you will definitely want to stay tuned for that if you love blue heeler pups as much as Cody and Breck do.

Photographer: The Turquoise Lens