<p>Hi everyone! I had submitted a response earlier but it looks like it vanished! Apologies! <br>
We elected just to ask them to pick at least one bunch of lavender ($10) and everyone was very happy with that. Mostly the photographers picked it and gave it to the clients. Some just gave us $10 and we were fine with that too. We also picked some when we could and had it available. We did end up with some stunning photos and ended up becoming friends with most of the photographers! Lavender has that effect! <br>
Next year we want to ramp up our facilities so it was good to see what people liked - definitely the kids liked our animals so we'll plan to set up a small petting zoo area next year. Several photographers mentioned they always have folks asking about mini-horses (we have two big horses -rescues - who were used in several shoots!) so I may look for a rescue to add to our menagerie! (I'm an experienced horsewoman so don't panic!) <br>
Oregon has legislation that provides for no liability for farms and agri-tourism and we have u-pick liability insurance as well but I will put together a disclaimer, particularly once we add the petting zoo! I mostly want people to be aware and careful. I found one couple taking photos of each other and left their three year old to wander off, awfully close to our beehives (which are fenced off... but still!).<br>
We do have folks come up just to take photos and that does get a bit tricky - we're a small family run operation and it takes time away from our day jobs (I telecommute) to go out and meet and greet etc. A nearby sunflower farm charges $5 for anyone to take photos. So I'm thinking I'll just have the same request for everyone - "you're welcome to come and take photos, but we ask that you buy at least a bunch of lavender when you do."<br>
Does that make sense? </p>
