Farm photoshoots are growing in popularity with photographers and farmers. They are a great way to bring in revenue for a farm and a smart way to utilize agricultural property. Trends with family portraits, proposals and senior pictures outdoors in flower fields and tree farms are skyrocketing and farmers are becoming very creative at using their space for profit. If you are considering offering a section of your land for photoshoots, think through these tips, warnings and examples.
Farmers are finding uncultivated plots of land on their farms and putting in the work to create a natural and charming aesthetic for farm photoshoots. Popular crop options are sunflowers, zinnias, lavender, bluebonnets, brambles and even just tall grasses on open fields or hay bales lined up in a row. Farm-curated props also create a space photographers are seeking. Having an old truck parked in a field, barns, swings tied to trees or a greenhouse that can be decorated for each season are ways to keep photographers coming even when a crop is not in season.
Sunny Acres Farm
Sunny Acres Farm in Mounds, Oklahoma has a five-acre property operating year-round bookings. Lacie Leford and her husband cultivated their property in 2020 and stay busy maintaining settings for 90% of photographers in the Tulsa Oklahoma Area. The Ledford’s reputation for upkeep and maintaining their scenic property keep photographers coming back all year. During the summer they have fields of sunflowers, zinnias and cosmos. During the winter they offer truck minis and greenhouse shoots. Photographers also love to shoot their open fields.
Farm Photoshoots & Photographers
Maintaining a good relationship with photographers is the key to successful farm photoshoots on your property. While there are several ways to profit through u-pick bouquets and hosting groups on-site, the Ledfords are committed to keeping the crops at their prime for photographers. “For me, the photographers have grown to respect that we don’t offer those services,” says Lacie. “I don’t want to step on their toes, because they are the ones I want to have a relationship with.” She prioritizes engaging in relationships with the photographers because they will come back several times, whereas u pick farms don’t have nearly the successful client retention. Lacie has also taken feedback from photographers and it informs how she proceeds. This past year she started opening her Greenhouse for Christmas sessions and they were a hit. She also considers where the sun sets when lining up her planting fields, knowing what shots and angles they will want to capture.
Another key to her relationship with photographers is being respectful and timely with communication. Her goal is to always answer within an hour of receiving messages. She communicates with clients and photographers. Being timely to photographers is especially important because as the third party in the conversation, dates and details need to be set for others. “I’m careful not to guarantee anything being in bloom. We say there will be something blooming all of June-September,” says Lacie. Working with nature, she has learned anything can happen.
Most people consider bringing agritourism to their property but immediately feel resistance to hosting people especially when it is the property where they live. The Ledfords were no different. “People don’t think of it as your personal property and that is the hardest part,” explains Lacie. “As we’ve gotten bigger and busier some people just show up without appointments. This can be during our family gatherings. I have to confront people a lot. However, many people don’t get to experience, relax and enjoy being outside in a beautiful space. That is something I keep reminding myself. We are selling an experience and we are here to let people enjoy our space.”
If you are considering preparing your property to host farm photoshoots, create your own terms according to your comfort level. Think through these questions:
- Where should they park?
- What are your hours?
- Do they need gate instructions? Often non agricultural people don’t understand how to close gates behind them.
- What is off limits? What seems obvious to you, may not to them.
- Where do you want them to walk?
- Are they allowed to pick anything?
- Should they feed animals they see?
Ledford’s best piece of advice for anyone thinking about opening up their property is, “Look at your property and figure out what is unique for you. Don’t copycat others. Do you have rolling hills, creeks or huge trees? Find what is unique to set yourself apart.” Ledford has learned through lots of trial and error staying confident and continuing to learn. She and her husband cultivate five acres of land and do 100% of all upkeep including basic landscape, mowing, weed eating, trimming trees, pulling weeds, direct sowing, etc.
- Uncluttered Backdrops. Open fields are great. If you have an old barn, declutter items around it. Farm shoots should be simple and not distracting.
- Good lighting. Know where the sun hits each part of your property so you can guide them on what time of day to shoot where. If trees create too much dappled shade, consider manicuring the branches or cutting it down. Reference this site to better understand the sun timing: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/
- Clean and cute setting. The trend for photographers is moving away from props and to more natural lifestyle settings, but a few options like swings, benches, trucks, etc are helpful to offer.
- Leading lines. Think like a photographer. In order to create depth in a photo, leading lines are necessary. Rows of crops are ideal for dynamic photos.
- Options this or that. Having a few different scenes or settings will make your space more valuable, especially when nature takes over. If your crop is not thriving like you would expect a more reliable setting on your property will make your farm more valuable.
- Know your space and be able to communicate it effectively. Is your space woodsy? Natural? Manicured? Elegant? Know the tone and feeling of your property.
As with all aspects of farm businesses, marketing is a must. The better you communicate and educate, the more confident non-agricultural clients will feel working with you. Create social media pages and a website of your offerings and policies. Rather than just saying, “an outdoor field for your needs,” paint a picture of possibilities. “Our farm can capture your clients’ most precious memories. With fields of flowers, rows of natural beauty, a charming old barn, stunning sunset views, and open fields there are so many scenic photography options. Every season brings a new backdrop to your clients.” Once you establish relationships with clients and photographers, their postings and photos will further your marketing efforts.
This article about farm photoshoots was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
