What better place to be natural and connect with each other than in the fresh-air freedom of a farm setting? For rustic engagement photos, farms and barns are among our favorite locations for their vast landscapes and raw, natural beauty. To us, nothing is more Americana than a vintage barn—a timeless backdrop.

Whether you’re an outdoorsy, laid back country couple or a couple of city slickers who want to trade the urban jungle for a more relaxed locale, farms and barns are universally refreshing. Just think of all the charming shots your engagement photographer can capture.

You don’t need to look far to find interesting elements to incorporate in your engagement photography session. Picket fences, mature trees, vast open fields, farm animals (if you’re so lucky!), winding dirt roads and tall grasses all paint a picturesque scene for your photos.

As for your engagement attire, just go with the flow—and with the season. Your look should be as easy and casual as your surroundings. You’ll look totally in your element dressed in cowboy boots and breezy dresses for the summer, or cozy sweaters and flannel shirts in the fall. Just because this setting is rustic doesn’t mean you can’t have a wardrobe change. Why not start off with a more casual look and bring on the drama later in a dressier look. The contrast of fancy and farm is so intriguing.

Props are a natural fit for farm and barn settings. Make your session interactive by creating a picnic spread, complete with a picnic basket and blanket—and don’t forget the bubbly. Toast to your engagement and have your photographer capture the moment. And feel free to use what’s around you. Tractors and hay bales give you and your engagement photographer plenty of creative license.

Speaking of golden photo opportunities, don’t miss golden hour! It’s like adding a magical filter to make each photo stunning. Just before the sun rises and before the sun sets, golden hour is one our favorite times of day for photography, especially in this landscape.

Surround yourself with the rustic beauty of farms and barns for your engagement photos. It’s our kind of country club.