Behind the Scenes: How I Prepare the Farm for Film & Photo Shoots
Making the farm ready for shoots starts well before the brief arrives in my inbox.
Once the growing season has finished, I take stock of our most popular backdrops, alongside the trends I’ve seen across fashion, beauty, film and commercial productions over the past year. Certain florals, grasses and natural textures come in and out of demand, and paying attention to wider location production trends helps guide what works best on camera.
All of this feeds directly into how the farm is planned and planted for the year ahead. Fields are carefully considered months in advance, with flower seeds going into the soil long before crews arrive expecting full bloom. It’s long-term thinking, but it means the locations are ready when productions need them — not rushed or reactive.
From Early Planning to Recces
As projects start to take shape, I welcome production teams who need an in-depth visual understanding of the space for a recce. Seeing the farm in person often sparks new ideas — crews regularly find angles they hadn’t anticipated or backdrops they weren’t expecting to see.
Some clients send over mood boards in advance, which allows me to match specific areas of the farm to their creative direction and suggest locations that will translate best on camera. It’s a collaborative process, and one that often helps refine the shoot before the crew even arrives.
Preparing a Working Farm for Filming
Because this is a working farm, preparation is key. Prior to each shoot, I plan how filming will sit alongside the land, the season and day-to-day activity. Fields are chosen for suitability and access, routes are mapped for vehicles, and areas are clearly designated for crew, kit and catering.
This approach allows productions to work efficiently while keeping everything calm, safe and organised on the day.
Access, Space and Practical Logistics
One of the biggest advantages of a rural filming location is space — and using that space well makes a real difference. I work with production teams to ensure there’s clear access for unit bases and technical vehicles, plenty of room for crew parking, and flexibility to adapt if plans change.
Having room to breathe is especially valuable on commercial, fashion and larger-scale shoots, where things often evolve as the day unfolds.
Supporting Shoots on the Day
On shoot days, I’m on hand to support the crew, answer questions and help solve problems quickly if needed. The aim is always to be helpful without being intrusive — present when needed, invisible when not.
Lorna from Location Farm Kent
Why This Preparation Matters
Good preparation leads to smoother days, happier crews and better results on screen. Whether it’s a small editorial shoot or a large-scale production, taking the time to prepare properly allows creativity to take centre stage.
If you’re looking for a film-friendly location in Kent that understands production from the inside out, I’d love to hear about your project.
