Pumpkin patches and pumpkin farms provide irresistible picture-taking fun. Not only do they offer general artistic photo opportunities, but they also give you a chance for those autumn-specific outdoor family photos we love.
I went to the pumpkin patch to take photos at Lucky Ladd Farms in Middle Tennessee. While I expected the typical piles of pumpkins, I was amazed at the creative picture choices.
If you want to return home with successful pumpkin patch pictures, look for the following types of picture opportunities:
The classic pumpkin collection
This is the one picture you must take; it is a pumpkin patch! You can take a picture of your child sitting amongst the pumpkins, or if your patch allows wagons, you can pose your child in one near the pumpkins. Adults can also sit on the ground holding young ones for a picture. If you would rather avoid sitting on the hard ground, you can always hold a pumpkin while standing for your image. Taking pictures of just the pumpkins is also a picture-taking opportunity.
Decorative backgrounds
These backgrounds are great for group photos and allow you to crop them so only fall-themed décor shows around your family. Try taking several pictures from different zoom distances to choose the best one to use later.
Decorative displays
These displays can be arches, columns, or other decorations that do not provide a solid, broad background. These require more patience as you will want to wait until no people are walking in the area (if possible). These displays also allow you to take pictures at an angle other than straight-on for more artistic images.
Fun fall signage
The fall-related signs at the pumpkin patch are perfect for original photos. These make for fun, autumn-specific pictures that not everyone on your social media account will have posted previously. Even if the signs are not fall-specific, you can still use them as fall-related photos because they were taken at the patch or farm during your fall visit.
General fall decorations
These decorations are most prevalent, making great photos both from a distance and when you zoom in on them.
Close-ups of fall decorations
These photos are excellent souvenirs from your day by themselves. They also allow you to take pictures of family members close-up, which might not be possible with the more general decorative backgrounds.
Photo Cutouts
Every child and every child at heart finds it challenging to resist putting their face in a photo prop cutout for a whimsical photo.
General photo opportunities that can be presented as fall-themed photos
Please do not pass up a chance to take a picture because it does not appear to be fall-picture-worthy. My husband had a blast sitting on this tractor, and it did not initially scream fall or Halloween to me. However, this turned out to be a great fall picture. It reminds me of hayrides and harvest time in the fall.
You can take pictures of flower beds or other items that contain fall colors to use as a background for your laptop or phone.
Overall property photos at the pumpkin patch or farm
Depending on the layout of the patch or farm, you might be able to get a special shot of the entire property or a panoramic image that you like.
Wild cards
Some photos cannot be categorized easily, which is good. These photos have unexpected elements or elements hidden among other items. A pig next to pumpkins? A pumpkin next to carrots? A pig and carrots are not usually fall-themed, but as presented in these photos, they become wildly interesting fall photos.
If your pumpkin patch is less visually stunning than the one I visited, you can create opportunities for fall pictures with some ordinary fall items. I took props to the patch for custom photos purchased from Hobby Lobby. You might have some favorite decorations around your home that you can use without making an additional purchase. Be sure you know the rules of what you can bring to the patch if you plan to do this. I took a round sign indicating “cuddle weather,” a small square sign with text about leaves and pumpkins, a padded scarecrow shelf decoration, and a fall-themed wood truck. I placed the items among the existing decorations and pumpkins, as well as in the corn maze (be sure not to interfere with traffic flow while taking pictures). This allowed me to take photos with fall sayings and sentiments and to incorporate surprise or hidden elements (scarecrow hidden in the mini pumpkins).
The pumpkin patch is full of classic and unique fall photo opportunities. For your picture collection, you can take fall pictures with and without family members. This activity adds to the fun and quality time spent as a family, and there is no additional cost for your photo fun! If you are a shutterbug, you can take artistic fall photos with little preparation and capture the many picture-taking scenes available at the patch. Enjoy the day at the pumpkin patch, and while the pictures will serve as a reminder of your day, remember that the true reminders will be the memories you make with the people at the patch with you.