Susan McClafferty

Susan McClafferty’s life has been shaped by horses, both as an equestrian and as a fine-art photographer. She began riding at twelve and competed in hunter-jumper competitions, developing over the years a deep appreciation for the nuances of equine expression and movement. That understanding became the foundation of her photographic work, which captures horses as sculptural, emotional, and endlessly individual subjects.

Combining a lifelong connection to horses with innovative photographic techniques, Susan creates striking, contemporary images that reimagine the horse as living sculpture. Working primarily in the studio, she uses dramatic lighting, overhead vantage points, and color-gel illumination to explore the interaction of light, form, and emotion. The result is a body of work that is modern, elegant, and distinctly equine.

Her signature series, including Lofty Looks, Colorful Coats, and Painterly Patterns, celebrate the individuality of each horse through bold perspective and masterful control of light. Her work has been featured in EQluxe, Sidelines Magazine, The Plaid Horse, Equestrian Living, Kentaur, and Bit & Cap Magazine, and she has been profiled in the video series “The Celebration of Horses” by Equine Mastery. Her photography has earned recognition in juried exhibitions and fine-art competitions, and her work is held in private collections across the United States.

Beyond her artistic career, Susan is the founder of the Horse First Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education, empathy, and ethical decision-making for horses. Her horses remain a constant source of inspiration and the heart of her creative work, reminding her why every image begins with respect for the horse.