I live and work on a farm in Lincoln, MA where I do most of my family photo shoots, so there is a slight chance of bias here, but I truly believe that farms are the perfect setting for an unforgettable family photo session, and there are a surprising number of them in the Boston area (ours is just 20 minutes from downtown!) Here are the top five reasons why a farm is the best place to get family photos taken near Boston:

1. There Are Animals.

Not every farm has them, but animals can add a magical element when considering the best place to get family photos taken. Each type of livestock has its own pros and cons.

Cows are interesting enough to make you say “look, cows” to everyone in the car when you drive past them. However, they are very shallow creatures who will only pretend to be your friend in order to get corn.

Alpacas are absurd-looking, like a 6 year old was drawing a sheep and decided it was a giraffe halfway through.

But they spit.

This is not a myth.

You have to go take a shower and start your whole day over if they make a direct hit.

Horses are reliable and majestic, but as far as I know not a single one of them has paid a dime in income taxes for at least the past 50 years.

Honeybees are not recommended for posing with your children under any circumstance.

Anyway, as long as it’s permitted and safe, farm animals make a great addition to a family photo session. 

2. There Are Plants.

It depends on the crops, but there are certain ones that can elevate your photos tremendously. In particular, sunflowers, corn, and pumpkins are elements that not only add beauty, they bring out the best in people, especially kids. I can’t confidently say the same about other crops, such as bok choy or rutabaga.

It’s magical and slightly confusing when you watch how excited little ones get around produce…you put them in a row of corn and they just take off running. Throw in a sunset and you have all the elements of a picture perfect family portrait: genuinely joyful expressions, gorgeous scenery, and just the right light.

3. They’re Full of Built-In Props.

Barn doors. Hay bales. Tractors. A manure pile. Maybe not the last one, but those first three for sure. Many of the things that farms use in order to be a farm make excellent props and backgrounds for family photos. The “distressed” look is very popular, so the older the better when it comes to these things. Most of the barn wood and equipment on our farm is distressed, so it provides fantastic elements for photos with a rustic, rural feel to them. If you’re looking for joyful expressions, nothing beats putting a kid on a real tractor! I especially like when Boston families come and remark that we have a “wicked awesome bahn.”

4. The Scenery is Lit. 

Many Boston area farms, such as Drumlin Farm, Codman Community Farms, and Lindentree Farm, and ours are blessed with wide open spaces, which helps to create those lovely soft backgrounds that can make your family portrait really pop. Here in Massachusetts you get a dramatic change in the colors, from a vibrant spring green that shifts to a sunny yellow, fiery red/orange, to golden brown and finally the pristine gray and white of winter. Our farm in Lincoln has a bonus in that there are stone walls all over the place, which make for great sitting poses to go along with the creamy backdrop. Farms also have the potential to be a more private experience, making them the best place to get family photos taken near Boston.

5. It Supports Boston’s Local Agriculture.

Many farms around Boston that allow paid photo shoots will charge some kind of fee, which provides them with passive income that can make a big difference for a small farm that might be struggling financially. Also once you’re there, it’s a great opportunity to pick up some local produce, which is always the healthiest and most ecologically friendly thing you can buy. In the case of our small farm, there’s no fee and I’ll just give you some of whatever we have as a thank you for coming, but simply visiting and enjoying our farm makes us all happy because we love being part of the Greater Boston farming community.

The list could go on, but if you are now convinced that a local farm is the best place to get family photos taken near Boston, then consider setting one up at a farm near you (make sure to check with both the owner and photographer first.) If Matlock Farm in Lincoln, MA happens to be near you, reach out today to set up a visit where you can take a tour and see for yourself if it’s where you want to create beautiful memories together!