A SALE photographer can’t keep up with demand for her pictures, which portray the bond between a horse and its owner.

Sue Westwood-Ruttledge, who has been a fanatical rider since the age of six, completes more than 100 equine photoshoots a year and regularly has a 12-week waiting list.

Now she has decided to franchise her business Horse Photographer UK. Mum-of-two Sue, 41, has already signed up her first franchisee and is now busy coaching her for a May launch.

Sue’s outdoor photoshoots involve professional hair, make-up and styling for the owner. Horses are prepared as if they are going for a show, with a full body shampoo, groom and even mane-plaiting. “It all started on Facebook,” said Sue.

“Four years ago, on a whim, I persuaded a girl who works at the stables to pop on a prom dress and pose with one of the horses. I posted the picture to Facebook and within the hour, I had three bookings. Later than afternoon, a further six came through.

“I’ve been non-stop ever since. For some reason I can’t quite fathom, people are willing to spend more on getting their horses photographed than their children – which is obviously great news for my business.”

Sue believes that everyone can learn be a good photographer, once they’ve taken on board the basic principles. She said: “I am looking for horsey people who I can train. My franchisees don't need to be photographers - I will teach that. What I can't teach is the love of horses that will make each photoshoot magical.”

Sue’s photoshoots take place in a wide range of locations. Previous sessions have been on beaches, in corn fields, woodlands and stables. After a two hour shoot during which Sue takes around 400 pictures, clients are invited to watch a private slideshow of the best 60 images. They can then choose to buy fine art albums, canvases, wall-mounted and desktop acrylics, box frames, portrait boxes and coffee table books.

Franchising Horse Photographer UK is not Sue’s first foray into entrepreneurship. In her mid-20s, Sue was previously a successful Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchisee.

After the birth of her son 16 years ago, Sue changed direction and launched her own fire, flood and storm damage business JPW Property Repairs. Assessing damage and managing up to 20 subcontractors, she was named runner up in Entrepreneur magazine’s north west entrepreneur of the year in 2002 – the only female business owner on the shortlist - and was also crowned Trafford’s best new start up business in the same year.

www.horsephotographeruk.co.uk