Amanda Eckstein and Phillip Werner planned a heartfelt maternity photo shoot to celebrate their upcoming baby, but their horse, Buckshot, had other plans. Instead of quietly standing by, the 12-year-old horse turned the session into an unforgettable experience. As the couple posed in a peaceful pasture, Buckshot decided to steal the spotlight with his over-the-top expressions. Photographer Kristen Zaffiro, who was capturing the moment, jokingly told Buckshot to smile—and to everyone’s surprise, he did exactly that. The horse flashed a huge, toothy grin, making the entire session a mix of laughter and chaos. The result was a collection of hilarious and unique maternity photos that quickly went viral. What was supposed to be a sweet and simple session turned into a moment no one would forget.
Eckstein wasn’t the least bit surprised by Buckshot’s antics. Known as the “class clown” of their farm, he always loves being the center of attention. He refused to let the other horses have their moment, constantly walking by and making sure he stayed in the frame. His playful personality has made him famous among family and friends, as he’s always up to something mischievous. From opening gates to setting the other horses loose, Buckshot enjoys causing harmless trouble. According to Eckstein, he has even broken fences just for fun, keeping his owners on their toes. This time, however, his mischief turned into pure comedy, giving the couple memories they’ll cherish forever. His timing couldn’t have been better, and it was as if he knew exactly what he was doing.
The maternity session had already faced challenges before Buckshot’s unexpected performance. The couple had to reschedule twice due to rain, and time was running out as doctors warned Amanda could deliver any day. When they finally made it to the shoot, Buckshot wasted no time making himself the star. At first, he curiously inspected the camera, even nearly knocking Zaffiro off her ladder. Then, when she jokingly asked him to smile, he responded with an exaggerated grin, setting off a chain reaction of even bigger smiles. Each time the photographer laughed, Buckshot seemed to play along, stretching his lips and showing his teeth, much to the amusement of everyone present. He had no intention of letting anyone else take the spotlight, and his antics just kept going.
The photos quickly spread online, with people falling in love with Buckshot’s personality. Many commented that he looked just as excited for the baby as the parents themselves. Others joked that he had officially claimed the baby as his own. Some even suggested he should be in every maternity shoot from now on because of how much joy he brought to the session. Zaffiro, who has photographed many sessions, called it the “best maternity shoot ever” and was overwhelmed by the positive response. It wasn’t every day that a horse managed to steal the show in such a perfect way. His expressions were so human-like that people couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Despite Buckshot’s hilarious interruptions, the couple still managed to get traditional maternity photos once he finally settled down. He had his fun but eventually let Amanda and Phillip finish their session in peace. They were grateful for both the silly moments and the more intimate ones that captured the joy of their growing family. The mix of laughter and love made the day even more special, creating memories they will never forget. They had expected a quiet and peaceful shoot, but instead, they got something far more entertaining. Buckshot turned a simple session into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
While the couple will wait a little before introducing their baby to the energetic horse, there’s no doubt that Buckshot will continue to be a big part of their growing family. He may have stolen the show this time, but soon, there will be a new little star in the family. His playful and loving nature makes it clear that he will be just as eager to welcome the baby as he was to take over the photo shoot. If nothing else, Amanda and Phillip now have a collection of photos that will make them laugh for years to come. Thanks to Buckshot, their maternity session became something truly unforgettable.