Photographing the agricultural sector
Farming and the agricultural sector in the UK is often under appreciated despite the critical role it plays in the economy, food security, and environmental stewardship. Farming photography can help to highlight the importance of the agricultural sector to culture and the wellbeing of society.
In recent decades we’ve come to expect cheap food without really giving much thought to where it comes from or what is involved in getting it on to the supermarket shelf. It has been reported that 1 in 5 people have never visited a farm of any sort, and a survey by Jordans cereal revealed that 23% of children aged 11 and under didn’t know what a harvest is.
Farming is becoming one of our invisible industries and yet we need farmers more than ever.
As the changing climate increasingly impacts our daily lives we are turning to farmers and those who manage the countryside to protect us from the worst effects, whilst at the same time asking that they take measures to reverse biodiversity loss – despite more than 14,500 hectares of farmland being built on since 2010, with the inevitable loss of wildlife that goes with house building.
Farming photography or agricultural photography is one way to highlight the reality of farming 365 days of the year, which often involves just one or two key people who manage acres of land and hundreds of livestock.
When I’m photographing on farms the objective is to highlight the diversity of work and the unpredictable nature of farming. Farmers have often proved to be the most creative and innovative people I’ve met – despite working for two business schools and hearing company after company talk about innovation – farmers know how to adapt, they are resilient and despite the lack of appreciation they love what they do.
What is agricultural and farming photography?
Agricultural photography and farming photography is a sub-genre of industrial photography that focuses on capturing the processes, landscapes, and people involved in farming and agriculture. This type of photography plays a vital role in documenting the industry, telling the stories of farmers, and highlighting the beauty and complexity of farming life.
A significant part of agricultural photography is documenting the people who work the land. Environmental portraits of farmers and their families convey the human side of agriculture, showing the effort and dedication behind food production – the story of behind the vegetables or the packet of mince that we see on the shelves.
My agricultural photography will often follow the seasonal cycles of farming, including ploughing, planting, lambing and harvesting. Capturing these different stages highlights the complexity of food production and how it evolves throughout the year, particularly when competing with the weather.
Farming photography is often used by organisations who advocate for farmers, sustainable agriculture, or rural communities. Photography and photo stories of farm life can help to humanise and inform policy discussions and also influence public perception.
Farming plays a significant role in food security, climate change, and global trade, which means that agricultural and farming photography is important for documenting issues and any new developments in these areas.
Farming photographing can be effectively used to raise awareness about the challenges and innovations within the sector.
Read more about Hampshire County Council Farms here
Read more about industrial photography and the services I offer here