Sunflower Photoshoot
(evenings only)
Thursday 13th August (Dog-friendly)
Friday 14th August
Saturday 15th August
Sunflower Photoshoot Information
What is a Sunflower Photoshoot in Hampshire?
Sunflower photoshoots work for different families for many different reasons – the main one being they are so much fun in the most sensational setting! The set up in the field means that there is oodles of space with so many props to play on to entertain even the most wriggly or energetic of children! As well as different varieties of sunflowers as far as the eye can see, there are also sections for wildflowers which are just as sensational and similarly have props to clambour all over and play on!
So if you have young children, old children, grown ups who act like children, children who have the concentration span of a gnat or all of the above then the sunflower fields are the perfect location to relax, enjoy spending quality time together as a family and have some photos taken to enjoy afterwards! And, having been a teacher before I became a photographer, as well as a Mum to 2 pretty feral children, nothing phases me and I am up for any challenge so do not worry in the slightest about the state of attentiveness of the children – i’ve got this!
The way a sunflower photoshoot works is that I base myself in a bespoke sunflower field (detailed below) in Hayling Island and stay there for an evening. Lovely families who have booked in with me (at a time slot that suits them) will then travel to the field, meet me at the entrance and we will head to the best patch of sunflowers in the field where we will play, frolic and take in the beauty of the blooms! The props are rotated around on a weekly basis by the staff so that the best of the blooms are always accessible and on show!
A few years ago I decided to only shoot during the evenings. This was for many reasons but harsh sunlight, lack of shade and the fact that I suffered badly with sunstroke are just some of them! I appreciate that this may cause problems for many of you with toddlers or young children but hopefully the space, fun props, live music, food and amazing festival atmosphere (not to mention sensational sunsets) may make up for the rubbish timing!
The Sunflower Farm normally opens late (until 9pm) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings during August. Thursday evenings also happens to be their doggy-friendly evenings if you wanted your fur baby to be included. They also put on live music, line dancing events, big machine events, donkey visits and hoedowns throughout the month, all of which contribute magnificentally to the atmosphere! So although you will only be with me for 30 minutes, you will definitely want to allow extra time before or after our shoot in order to soak up the atmosphere!
As part of your package you will also be allowed to pick 3 sunflowers (per paying person who is 12+ years). Secateurs are provided at the entrance booth. You can either pick the flowers as part of your 30 minute shoot or you are more than welcome to come earlier or stay afterwards. The entrance fee to the field (for 2x adults and 2x children) will be included within part of the basic shoot package so you can access the field and refreshments for as long as you want.
When I arrive for my first shoot of the evening, I always hand over the names of all of my families for that evening and will pay for 2x named adults and 2x children per shoot, so when you arrive you just need to mention your name (and Caroline Jenkins Photography as there are always several photographers working there) and then you are free to stay as long as you want once you have paid the entrance fee for the remaining members of the group! I will meet you at your allocated time at the entrance table.
Location of my Sunflower Photoshoots
The location for my sunflower photoshoots will be at Stoke Fruit Farm in Hayling Island. There seem to be many sunflower fields popping up around Hampshire which is awesome, but I always stick with Sam’s Sunflowers. As far as I am aware, not only is it the largest field of it’s kind around, but it’s so atmospheric and so much more than just a field of flowers. Sam and his team work really hard with the planting and nurturing, which results in sections of wildflowers as well as sunflowers every year. They seem to mix up the design as well which means it’s so much more interesting and varied year-on-year!
As well as all that, they have a maze to navigate, refreshments available under a canopy area (such a relief last year) and – the bits that I get so excited about – props! They use the traditional hay bales, tractors and viewing platforms to enjoy the authenticity of it all, but Sam also surprises us each year! Last year he introduced a roll top bath, a beautiful (family-sized) wooden swing, a chaise longe, doors and even wardrobes to pose on, alonsgide everything else. It’s these little extras that elevate it from ‘just’ a sunflower field to a really awesome place to visit!
Just a word of warning – if you navigate to the postcode of the shop you will end up in the wrong place – be sure to enter the postcode of the field (as listed in his FAQs on the website). Having said that, Hayling Island is not big and there are signs everywhere directing you to the car park. The car park is free but it is just a section of the field so watch out for bumps and lots of dust!
Clothing
A lot of people struggle to know what to wear for sunflower photoshoots as the colours are so powerful and the last thing you want to do is clash with the flowers.
Neutral colours are advisable with as little to no patterns or motifs as possible. A common thread of colours among all family members looks great and really knits everybody together.
I have attached a link to my Sunflower Pinterest board which hopefully might provide some clarity and inspiration. It is not a complete guide by any means, but hopefully might help guide you!
How do I book?
If you want to book a sunflower photoshoot then you’ll be pleased to hear that the booking process is simple. Click the link below and you will be taken to my booking form where you will be able to select the time that is best for you and your family. As I mentioned earlier – you will be with me for 30 minutes but you are free to stay as long as you want afterwards. I allow an additional 15 minutes either side of each shoot so that we have enough time to walk back to the entrance before my next shoot starts
Once you have booked, you will receive a confimation email of the date and time you have booked (these can be changed if there is still availability). Depending on how you choose to pay at this stage, you will either be irected to pay through a link or you will receive an invoice for £85 which will cover the cost of the shoot plus 3 images.
Jus a quick note – the last Saturday of the season is Saturday 30th August. The field is closed and then re-opened ready for The Final Hoedown which is a ticketed event on top of the £7.50 entrance fee to the field!
A week after the shoot you will receive a link to your private and protected gallery. You can then choose to upgrade to the Bluebell or Sunflower packages should you wish.
The product credit can go towards any of the products listted on my products page or against some other items that are available to look at in the online shop that is linked to the gallery.
See my Sunflower Portfolio
Minishoot Packages
The Mini Gold Package
- 30 minute shoot
- 2x adult entrance fees (£7.50 each) including 3x sunflowers to pick and take home
- 2x children aged 12-16 (£4.50 each) including 3x sunflowers to pick and take home
- all children under 12 go free
- all digital images
- £40 print credit
The Mini Silver Package
- 30 minute shoot
- 2x adult entrance fees (£7.50 each) including 3x sunflowers to pick and take home
- 2x children aged 12-16 (£4.50 each) including 3x sunflowers to pick and take home
- all children under 12 go free
- 6 digital images
- £20 print credit
The Mini Bronze Package
- 30 minute shoot
- 2x adult entrance fees (£7.50 each) including 3x sunflowers to pick and take home
- 2x children aged 12-16 (£4.50 each) including 3x sunflowers to pick and take home
- all children under 12 go free
- 3 digital images
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the forecast is wet?
I will keep an eye on the weather forecasts in the days leading up to our shoot. If it looks like it’ll just been patchy rain, then I suggest we go ahead. However if it looks really horrible then I suggest we rearrange to a different date or time and keep everything crossed that the Great British Weather is on our side!
What should we wear?
I always advise my families that the most important thing in family shoots is that everybody feels comfortable. There is no point getting the children to wear their best clothes if they feel really awkward, because this will be written all over their faces.
If you really want to make the most from your shoot though, I always suggest that a similar theme of colours works brilliantly to tie you all together. You should have seen a link to an appropriate Pinterest board further up on this page. Hopefully this will help inspire you with colours and styling.
Something that I strongly advise against however, is anybody wearing any clothes with motiffs or patterns on, as all this does is draw attention away from all of the beautiful faces!
What should we do if one of us gets poorly?
I am a Mum, so I totally get how children can be fine one day and then come down with something the next day. All I ask is you give me as much notice as possible and then we can rearrange for another day.
Can we change outfits during the shoot?
This is becoming an increasingly popular thing to do as people want to vary the images as much as possible. People view family photo shoots as an investment (both in terms of time and money) so they want to make the most of it. Changing outfits is fine with me, but you will need to bear in mind that we will all be outside in public places. Plus we will only have 30 minutes so it’ll need to be quick!
What time is it best to have a shoot?
This year I have decided to hold my sunflower photoshoots in the eenings only. So much depends on the weather, and if it is an overcast day then the conditions are fine. But in the height of summer, the sun is too strong and bright to be shooting in resulting lots of bright faces (not to mention hot individuals)!
Please feel free to contact me and ask any questions – I would love to hear from you!
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