Cows & Cameras: How Valerie Turned a Hobby Farm into a Photographers' Paradise

Meet Valerie—a small-town gal with big farm dreams, who turned her love for Highland cows and antiques into a hidden gem for photographers. She’s got a farm in Central Michigan, where she grew up, left, and then came back to make her cow-filled dreams a reality. After picking up her third Highland cow, she didn’t just stop at “cute animals in the yard.” Nope, she went all in.

The Farm Life That Found Its Fame

It all started when Valerie stumbled into the world of barn sales—what was supposed to be a simple purge of her antique finds turned into a quarterly event that her community loved. She added antique trucks and seasonal décor for kicks. One thing led to another, and someone suggested, “Why not have photographers out here to capture it?” That idea lit the match.

Fast forward four years, and what started as a few photographers turned into 60 in her first year, and now 740 (!) in under a year. From Highland cows to antique trucks to a DIY greenhouse (made from antique windows she hunted down), Sharp Farm is now a total photographer magnet. But Valerie’s secret sauce? Session.

Session to the Rescue

When you’re trying to juggle farm life, kids, animals, and managing endless photographer requests, things can get wild. Valerie was writing everything out by hand. (Yes, you read that right—handwritten schedules for all 60+ photographers.) Then she found Session, and life instantly became easier. Now? Everything’s automated, and people just book their slots right from her page.

“I can’t imagine going back to the old way,” Valerie laughs. “Session took me from writing out every booking to having over 740 photographers in less than a year!”

Valerie also swears by the Session User Community group on Facebook. “It’s been a huge help, for any questions I had when getting started. Nicole and the crew are amazingly quick to respond to any issues!!”

Farm Animals, Antique Trucks, and Photoshoots—Oh My!

At Sharp Farm, photographers aren’t just there for the aesthetic trucks and scenic views. They’re there for the animals. Highland cows, goats, bunnies—you name it. And Valerie? She’s there to make sure everyone (furry friends included) is camera-ready. Safety’s top priority, and she makes sure her animals are happy and comfortable during every session.

Photographers can book by the hour and plan shoots with all the cows and critters they want. Most book anywhere from one to three hours, and with Session, Valerie doesn’t have to lift a finger. Everything’s booked and confirmed online, freeing her up to keep those perfect set-ups, well, perfect.

From Antiques to Insta-Fame

Valerie’s farm took off thanks to her tight-knit community and her loyal antique-store followers. She didn’t start with a big strategy—she just loved what she did. And the more photographers who showed up, the more they spread the word. Now, she’s got a steady flow of bookings and despite raising her prices significantly in 2024, she’s fully booked! No complaints there.

While she doesn’t need to advertise, she loves giving back to her photographers with giveaways and fundraisers. She even gives away free hours to photographers as part of her promotions. Valerie’s passion for community and customer service keeps people coming back, and with Session making bookings a breeze, she can focus on what really matters—keeping her cows happy and making those photoshoots magical.

Valerie’s Pro Tips for Success

Valerie’s farm is open every day (yep, even on Christmas!). Photographers and families can even book time without a professional if they want to snap their own shots. With Session, they can easily see all the seasonal set-ups and FAQs on Valerie’s homepage and pick their time without a hitch.

She’s even planning a petting zoo day soon, and (of course) will use Session to get everyone booked up.

“Session’s just so versatile,” Valerie says. “It works for everything we do on the farm, and I’m so thankful for it.”

Valerie’s Sharp Farm is living proof that with a little creativity, a lot of heart, and the right tools, you can turn your passion into something bigger than you ever imagined.

Ready to book your own farm shoot at Sharp Farm?

• Check out Valerie’s Session Page
• Follow Sharp Farm on Instagram
• Join the Facebook Community

Let’s keep those dream shoots coming.