My name is Kate Sheffield.
I am an equine specialist photographer from Victoria, Australia. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to combine my love of horses with my successful photography career.
I started out a horse mad child raised in Melbournes eastern suburbs and this passion continues.
I have bred, raised and campaigned dressage horses from our home Everton for over 20 years. I have extensive experience producing top level performance horses and cherish the special bond we share with these incredible animals.
Beginnings
After completing a double University degree and extensive overseas travel, I began working for an Australian company who introduced virtual tour technology to a very new Internet audience.
Within a short time, I recognised an opportunity to implement this new technology into the Real Estate industry.
In 1999 I started my own digital media house servicing Melbournes leading Real Estate Agencies. I photographed thousands of homes and quickly learnt the art of high end quality imaging, exceptional service, balanced with quick production solutions. As the industry evolved from advertising in local papers into the digital age during the Tech Boom the business thrived.
Juggling
The success of the business enabled my husband Chris and I to purchase a large equine property on the outskirts of Melbourne. I began breeding and producing performance horses whilst we raised our children. Always hands on, breeding horses is exhilarating, exhausting and an absolute privilege. Many of the best moments of my life have been shared with my horses.
Chris and I still own our real estate marketing agency. He manages the day to day operations and I still get a thrill from having a camera in my hands. For many years I juggled reins in the morning with cameras in the afternoons. Separate passions.
Fusion
I have always enjoyed photographing my own horses. Naturally, Chris and I produced our own marketing of our sales horses. I am an accomplished horsewoman and a successful photographer. One day a friend asked me to visit and "can you bring your camera I have to get photos of a clients' horse?". I discovered photographing others' horses was an absolute joy. As a horsewoman myself, I have the confidence to be patient and allow the horse to volunteer a moment worth capturing. The images were great, the client was thrilled. I recognised another opportunity, specialist equine photography.
As an Accredited Equestrian Victoria photographer, demand for my services has been very high. I am overwhelmed by the support shown to me from the Equestrian community and have enjoyed exploring other disciplines and fields within the Equine industry. I also hold a current Working With Children and Police Check.