How to Plan for a Cotton Field Photoshoot
1. Find a Cotton Field Near You
The first step in planning a cotton field photoshoot is finding a cotton farm near you. Conduct a Google search with terms like, “cotton farm near me,” and “cotton farm in,” and then enter the state or area you live in.
According to The National Cotton Council, cotton is only grown in 17 states, including, “Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.”
2. When Does Cotton Bloom?
When I searched, “When does cotton bloom?” on Google, Texas A&M says, “In most of the Cotton Belt, the effective bloom period occurs from late June or early July to mid-August.” However, this may vary by geographical region and weather patterns.
This is my last year in Texas, as my husband and I are moving to Alaska in the summer. I thought I missed my opportunity to do a cotton field photoshoot, but when we were on our last driving vacation in the lower 48, we spotted a cotton field in bloom – in February! Talk about crazy good luck!
If you live near cotton fields, the best way to know when they are blooming is to keep an eye on them yourself or contact the farms.
3. Contact the Cotton Farm
If a Google search reveals a way to contact your cotton farm of choice via email or phone, I suggest doing so! You need permission to be on a cotton farm. In addition, the farmers might be able to tell you when optimal bloom times are.
My husband and I were trespassing when we did our cotton field photoshoot.
He was nervous because, being from Lubbock, he knew how angry farmers can get toward trespassers. There was no fence around the field where we did our photos, so we figured we could get in, get the shots, and get out unnoticed.
We were only there about 5 minutes before a big, black pickup truck came barreling down the dirt road to confront us. Luckily, the farmer was nice, and he permitted us to continue our shoot.
4. Find a Photographer... Or Don't
You can check out this website to locate a photographer near you. Or you can use Google search to find a photographer. Schedule a session as soon as possible! Some photographers need to be booked months in advance.
If you prefer to go the cheaper route and have control over your photo choices and editing, you can plan to shoot the photo with a friend or even by yourself.
My phone is great for still shots with no movement, but I had to buy a camera for action shots. It was a worthwhile purchase! Action shots make the best photos! Jumping, running, and spinning add so much life to a picture.
If you want a low-priced camera that will take the action shots you need, check out this Canon Rebel that I have. Capturing movement is easy with the Rebel. Simply set it on “sports” mode and make sure you have enough light. (Natural light usually works great for sports mode, but if it’s a cloudy day, you may end up with blurry pics!)
The link to the Canon Rebel is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I will earn a small commission if you purchase through the link.
5. Plan Your Outfit
Plan multiple outfit options and try them on before the shoot. Think of how the colors of your outfit will match or contrast with the colors of the cotton field. Don’t forget makeup, sunglasses, hats, and accessories!
6. Plan Your Movements/Poses
Plan your movements and poses before the shoot so you can make the most of your time while you’re there. For tips on body movement and facial expressions click here.
For me, the perfect shot is usually found in jumping and running. I love motion shots because they capture a moment and add life to a photo. The challenge is controlling my face and arms! It takes a little practice to achieve the desired expression in my body and face.
7. Check the Weather
Don’t forget to check the weather before heading out to your shoot location! You may have to reschedule to accommodate spring showers or low-lighting issues due to clouds!
8. Make a List / Pack
It’s always a wise idea to make a list and pack your items the night before a shoot, especially if you are bringing multiple outfits, which is recommended.
Don’t forget your accessories, makeup, water, sunscreen, and snacks! If you are shooting the photos yourself, make sure your camera battery is charged, your SD card is ready, and your tripod is packed!
9. Have Fun!
I hope this has helped you plan your cotton field photoshoot. Have fun! Thanks for reading! If you liked this post, please share it!
