Photography Policy

Our sunflower/cut flower fields, pine tree row, sunset areas, over an acre pond and wheat/rye field make the perfect backdrop for photos!

We welcome photographers in search of a great setting for a session to schedule with Ward’s Farm.

Sunflowers & Other Cut Flowers Will Begin Blooming End of June/Early July 2023
Booking calendar will reopen with availability June 2023

Schedule & Purchase Session

Purple Hairy Vetch Is Blooming Now!

Purple Hairy Vetch is blooming now & will continue through early Summer!

Purple Hairy Vetch is a wildflower like purple flower that will look great as a backdrop in your photos!

Booking available now!

Schedule Purple Hairy Vetch Session

  • Photographers must receive Ward’s Farm schedule approval for photo/video shoots that:

    • Are with clients (or friends/family, whether professional or amateur)

    • Utilize professional equipment (Please see list)

    • Are works for hire

    • Include staged photos or videos

    • Involve client photography

    • Involve the exchange of money for a service rendered

    • Are for a brand or products*

    • Are commercial photography/videography**

    • Are proposals with photographers***

  • Professional equipment includes but not limited to:

    • Detachable flash

    • Diffusers

    • Large photography bags

    • Lights

    • Monopod

    • Multiple lenses

    • Props

    • Reflectors

    • Tripod

    • Umbrellas

    • And/or similar items

These types of photoshoots must be scheduled and are based upon farm availability. Specific photoshoot availability is done to allow our guests visiting the farm to freely pick flowers/pumpkins without having to worry about getting in the way of a photoshoot. This also allows our photographers to not have to worry about guests ruining a shot. We want all our guests to enjoy the experience of the farm.

The following types of photoshoots are outside the realm of standard photoshoots & are subject to additional fees. Please send us a message to discuss details before scheduling with the booking calendar.

*Brand and product sessions
**Commercial photography/videography
***Proposals

Photography Sessions

Full Farm includes our large Pick Your Own Sunflowers field, specialty field with unique color sunflowers, wildflower like cosmos and zinnias. You’ll also have access to other photographer favorites like our pine tree row, acre pond, sunset areas & wheat/rye field

  • Session Pricing

    • $42 per session for full farm

    • $52 per session for full farm sunset timeframe****

    • $52 per session for full farm sunrise timeframe***** – Available upon request. Please message us for availability

    • Photoshoots must be scheduled ahead of time VIA booking calendar

    • A session may be up to one hour. If you choose to schedule multiple sessions within that hour, you are subject to the per session fee

    • Photoshoots that exceed the one hour time limit will be charged per 15 minute at the quarterly rate of the session scheduled

  • Minis

    • If you are interested in hosting full farm ‘minis’ or ‘mini’ photoshoots (typically 15-20 min each), we offer a tiered discount pricing structure as follows:

    • 3-4 minis daytime $30 each / sunset $40 each

    • 5-7 minis daytime $25 each / sunset $35 each

    • 8+ minis daytime $20 each / sunset $30 each

    • Please send us a message for minis availability (do not use booking calendar)

We require that you tag Ward’s Farm (‘add location’ & ‘tag people’) in your photos posted on social media. All photos must be identified as being photographed at Ward’s Farm. 

A Ward’s Farm owner will guide first time Ward’s Farm photographers to the fields open for photos. After your tour, the staff will not remain for the duration of the photo session. Our staff is not responsible for directing clients to your photoshoot location. Photographers, please instruct your clients to contact you upon their arrival.

Please remember, flowers are an agricultural crop and are subject to Mother Nature. The weather and growing conditions are variables that could impact the growth of the flowers. We cannot guarantee that the flowers will bloom on a particular date. If you schedule ahead of blooming, please ensure your dates are flexible.

Photography Rules & Other Information

    • All photographers new to Ward's Farm NJ must complete our waiver and email to WardsFarmNJ@gmail.com

    • Flowers cut for photoshoot props must be purchased at $1/stem fee (sunflowers) 5/$1 (cut flowers)

    • Photoshoots that include dogs, cake smashes, smoke bombs, items that need to be lit or anything of the like must be approved prior to scheduling. Failure to obtain approval may result in halted session without refund

    • Ward’s Farm reserves the right to halt any photography session deemed to be disruptive without refund

    • Please do not disrupt the flowers or vegetation

    • Scheduled photoshoots are reserved for those being photographed only. Please do not bring additional family/friends or ‘tagalongs’

    • Props must be carried to your photoshoot location and removed upon departure

    • All photos should be family friendly

    • Children must be supervised at all times

    • It is the responsibility of the photographer to be aware of the weather and reschedule with Ward’s Farm and their client prior to their photoshoot start time. Rain dates can be rescheduled at no additional cost if rescheduled before start of photoshoot

Photography Policy Q&A

Friends and family are encouraged to use a personal camera or cell phone to take as many casual/candid photos as they would like during ‘Pick Your Own’ events

The fee helps to cover the crop & pay the farmer for his planting

Yes, your clients can pick sunflowers or pumpkins during their photoshoot. Sunflowers and Pumpkins will be the same price as they are during our events. Please send payment for items picked VIA Cash App, Venmo or Zelle.

Yes, brand/product photoshoots are allowed. Please send a message to discuss details before scheduling with the booking calendar. These types of photoshoots are subject to additional fees.

Yes, commercial photoshoots/videography are allowed. Please send a message to discuss details before scheduling with the booking calendar. These types of photoshoots are subject to additional fees.

Congratulations!

Yes! The farm is a great location for proposals. We have had many engagements here on the farm.

Hire a photographer to catch the special moment!

Please send us a message to discuss details before booking on the booking calendar. Proposals are subject to additional fees.

‘Sunset timeframe’ or ‘golden hour’ is the last hour of light before sunset that produces a warm natural light.

‘Sunrise timeframe’ or ‘golden hour’ is the first hour of light before sunrise that produces a warm natural light.

Yes, visitors looking to take casual/candid pictures of their friends/family during ‘Pick Your Own’ event hours are permitted as long as the only item used is the camera. The addition of lenses, photography bag, any other professional equipment (see above), or staged photos/videos will give the impression you are here for a photoshoot rather than just a ‘Pick Your Own’ visit. Guests with professional equipment or staged photos/videos during regular ‘Pick Your Own’ hours will be asked to end their photoshoot and schedule outside of ‘Pick Your Own’ hours.

Please send us a message. We have a list of fantastic photographers we can recommend!

Yes, all photographers new to Ward's Farm NJ must complete our waiver and email to WardsFarmNJ@gmail.com

You may digitally sign (markup tool on iPhone in Safari), print, sign, scan and email the document, or click ‘share & export’ on google docs to save a copy so you can sign - whichever is easiest.