As a photographer, I’m all about telling stories through my lens—candid moments, real emotions, and a connection that’s unique to every couple I work with. When you take that kind of authenticity and drop it in the middle of a sunflower field, magic happens! Let me take you through why sunflower fields are such a dream for engagement photos and what you can expect if you decide you too want some engagement photos in the sunnies!!
When I asked Jordan and Adam if they had a specific spot or vision in mind, she immediately answered “Sunflower Field”!
How I Approach Engagement Sessions in a Sunflower Field
Every engagement session is different because every couple is different. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter photos or stiff, overly-posed images. My goal is to capture the real you, and when I’m out in a sunflower field with a couple, I’m focusing on the candid moments—the way you look at each other when you think I’m not paying attention, the way you laugh at your inside jokes, the way you naturally fall into each other’s arms.
Knowing Jordan wanted a wide variety of shots, being a photographer herself, we aimed to get it all: Lots of laughs, intimate romance, artistic, creative shots, and some more serious, quiet moments.
A few things I kept in mind when shooting specifically in sunflowers:
- Golden light: If you’re familiar with the “golden hour” (the hour right after sunrise or right before sunset), you know how magical the lighting can be. The sun is lower in the sky, which means soft, warm light that flatters everyone. When the sun hits those sunflowers at golden hour, it’s like the whole world is glowing. I live for that moment. The light makes everything feel warm, intimate, and a little bit like a dream.
- Movement: I’m a huge fan of movement in photos. Whether it’s spinning around, walking through the flowers hand in hand, or just swaying with the breeze—movement creates energy and emotion in your photos. In a sunflower field, I’ll often encourage you to move through the rows of flowers, to interact with the space and each other. It’s not about nailing a pose; it’s about finding those in-between moments that feel real and alive!
- Texture and layers: The height of the sunflowers creates so much dimension in photos. I love to play with layers—shooting through the flowers so that some are blurry in the foreground, while you’re framed perfectly in the background. It gives the photos that extra depth and a cinematic feel, like you’re starring in your own little love story!
Prepping for Your Sunflower Field Shoot
Alright, let’s get practical for a second. If you’re planning on having your engagement photos taken in a sunflower field, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
1. Timing is everything: Sunflower fields don’t bloom all year round. Depending on where you live, their prime time is typically late summer, like July to September.
Here in Manitoba we really only have one spot to go to (unless you have some farmer connections!): Amaze In Corn! Now Amaze in Corn actually plants a wide variety of sunnies, and they bloom later than farming varieties: Mid to end of August and into September. These fields are gorgeous, but you’ve got a short window to make it happen, so plan accordingly!
When we get out to the sunflower field, the first thing we have to do is buy our tickets! Amaze in Corn usually charges around $15-$20 for entry so make sure you keep that in mind! We’ll also have to take their lil wagon to get to the field, so we need to factor in a bit of extra time in the beginning for those logistics!
2. Dress the part: I always tell my couples to wear something they’re comfortable in, something that lets them move. Soft, neutral colors tend to work really well against the bright yellow of the sunflowers. Think flowy dresses, simple shirts, nothing too busy or patterned. And don’t forget—fields can be muddy, so wearing comfortable shoes you don’t mind getting a little dirty is key.
3. Let’s keep it real: I know, I know, it’s a photoshoot, and it’s natural to want to look perfect. But I promise, the magic comes from letting go of the idea of perfection. The wind might blow your hair around, your dress might flutter, but those are the moments that feel real. The imperfect, candid moments are always the most beautiful in the end.
Expect a lot of laughter, maybe some twirls, and definitely some quiet moments where it feels like the world is standing still, and it’s just the two of you surrounded by golden blooms. I might get in close to capture a sweet detail, like your hands intertwined, and then step back to show the grand, sweeping view of the field.
I’m all about variety, so we’ll get some wide shots that feel big and cinematic, some tighter shots that are intimate and emotional, and everything in between. But always, always, my goal is to tell your story—authentically, candidly, and with an artistic touch.
If you’re dreaming of engagement photos that feel warm, natural, and a little bit magical, let’s head to a sunflower field together. I can guarantee we’ll capture some real, beautiful moments that you’ll treasure forever!
