How does one adequately capture a 5th generation farm?


This was the question I faced after I was contacted by Natalie with Double H Farms. Her Husband, Hunter, is the 5th generation to farm this land. She wanted photos of their farm for social media and print purposes. I had no idea just what I was going to capture that day, but I knew this was going to be an opportunity to get creative and get outside the box of the typical family or couples session. We set a date and I said I thought my 1 hour package would be appropriate (knowing good and well that I would go over that hour if I was enjoying creating).


When I received this request, I was a mix of emotions. I was honored to be considered. I was a little apprehensive that 'what if' I couldn't capture what she needed. I was excited for the opportunity to be creative without a box defining the bounds of that creativity. I was curious what exactly did their farm even look like? Would the landscape present an opportunity for creative composition?


I drove out the day before to get a preview of the site and I was glad I went.


This is a real, working farm. There are cow patties. Various equipment is parked near the house. This place is alive and buzzing with life and activity. I made a mental note to bring steel-toed boots and to tell my husband about the farm hound, which sparked his interest to tag along (he absolutely LOVES hound dogs). Here's the ONLY photo I took of him:

A series of pet carriers lined up on wooden decking in sunlight.

WHY is this the only photo I took of him? He must have gone off duty after he decided Kris and I were not a threat.


Anyways, When we showed up, there were obvious nerves from both parties. We met Natalie, Hunter (the 5th gen farmer!) and their son. I wanted to be professional and capture everything I could, but not get in their way. They didn't know what I should shoot and how to direct me. We started by photographing products they sell. I wasn't quite in the zone yet, but we got some decent images.

A freezer filled with frozen meat packages and food items on multiple shelves.
Close-up view of packaged meat with labels on a counter surface.

Then Natalie brought us over for a milking session. I got to milk a cow! I mean I didn't actually spend much time actually milking, but I tried it out! (Note the photo below that Kris took of me)

Horse standing in a dimly lit barn stall with equipment visible.
Cattle standing in a wooden pen area on a sunny day.
Someone working in a barn stall with wooden fencing visible.
Farm animals gather in a rustic wooden barn enclosure on a sunny day.
Someone in jeans tends to farm equipment inside a wooden barn structure.

It was about this time that I think we all sort of relaxed and I started freely moving about the area to capture anything and everything I could. Kris had my second camera body and was also snapping away. I could really feel myself relax and settle into the groove of creating.  I had requested some images of the cattle dogs working so once I had my fill of everything near the house, Hunter took me over to a different set of cattle.

Black and white chickens stand behind a wire fence with a green building in the background.
A group of fluffy sheep huddle together in a pasture casting long shadows.
Green tractor parked under a large bare tree on a rural farm path.
Utility vehicle loaded with feed buckets parked in an open field.

On the way we drove past what I suspect is an original barn or farm home, so of course I snagged a quick shot. Then we got to see the dogs go to work! I stayed in the Ranger for most of this as you could easily get trampled. We fed the cows a treat, I snagged some more photos. Then we drove over to their original herd where I met their Brahman Bull - who is terrifying, I might add! He kept snorting and growling at me and I noted that he sounded like a dragon. He was letting me know he was the boss (and I didn't question him in that).

Dog looking into the back of a Polaris utility vehicle in a farm setting.
Old weathered barn with solar panels on roof against bright blue sky.
Close up of a black and white dog with leather collar against blue sky.
Weathered wooden barn structure beside large bare tree in rural field.
A herd of cattle grazes in a field on a sunny winter day with bare trees in the background.
Black cattle stand in formation while casting long shadows across a grassy pasture.
Ranchers feed cattle from the back of a truck, creating clouds of dust in the afternoon light.
Feed being distributed from a metal trough creating a dusty mist in the sunlight.
Rural farm scene showing equipment and cattle silhouettes against a bright sky.
A group of cattle standing in golden sunlight with trees visible in the background.
Close-up view of brown and black cattle standing together in a field on a sunny day.
Cattle graze on dry grass in a winter pasture with distant trees on the horizon.
A black utility vehicle is parked in an open field surrounded by cattle and farm equipment.

Once we were done there, we drove back to the house, I grabbed a few last minute shots of their pigs, and we wrapped things up.


This was just a fun experience. I've never done a session like this and I am still thinking over what a fun afternoon that was. I am going to end up delivering about 500 images, which is WAY more than standard for me (On average I deliver ~100 photos/hr). Luckily it way easier to edit and color correct photos without humans in them.


Anyways, I had a blast. Sometimes it's just nice to get out and be creative without an objective.


This blog was originally published on 3/14/2025 and was migrated to my new site on 7/14/25


Updates as of 7/14/25: I added more photos below. Also, I may be marketing hard on the wedding side these days, but PLEASE hit me up if you need work of this nature completed. I want to bring your vision to life and love to get outdoors. Also, now I have a DRONE and this shoot could have been that much more interesting from the perspective of the sky!


Contact me here

Goats and sheep graze together in a sunny pasture near a blue barn structure.
Farm animals grazing on green pasture with wooden fence posts visible in the background.
Someone tends to a rustic wooden split-rail fence on a farm property.
Farm animals roam behind wire fencing on a sunny day.
Green tractor working in a muddy field during winter with bare trees in background.
Rural farm landscape with hay bales and blue barn under winter trees.
A family stands together in an open field during golden hour.
Farm equipment and machinery silhouetted against a bright sunset sky.
Brown metal storage unit placed along a wooded path.
Large bare tree stands beside green tractor on winter farmland.
A fluffy white chicken stands in a grassy field on a farm.
Close up macro shot of a black cow's wet nose and nostrils.
A herd of black and brown cattle walking together through a wooded pasture.
Holstein dairy cows moving across a frosty winter pasture at dawn.
Black angus cattle gathered at a feeding trough on a farm.
Bare winter trees frame an empty rural field under bright blue skies.
Off-road vehicle splashing through a muddy creek crossing on farm land.
Pigs resting together in a wooden pen on a sunny farm day.
Pug dog sits on wooden deck next to pink cooler and dog house.
Farm equipment silhouetted against sunset with metal rake attachments visible.
Sheep shearing in progress inside a rustic wooden barn with wool scattered on the ground.
Person shearing wool from sheep in wooden barn through turquoise fence bars.
A sheep being held for shearing on wooden floorboards in sunlit barn.
Close up of wool shearing process on farm with wooden backdrop.
Brown cow standing in sunny pasture behind wire fence.
Sheep shearing in progress with wool clippings scattered on barn floor.