Sunflower Photo Sessions around Bloomington Normal, IL and Champaign, IL

It is finally time for Sunflower Field Sessions again ! I love, love, LOVE these photo sessions and as a childhood and family photographer I never get tiered of them. They are so much fun and there is just nothing quite like it to stand in a field of thousands of sunflowers in full bloom. How can you not just smile when looking at a sunflower. This flower is so cheerful and just the epitome of summer.

Here are some fun facts about sunflowers :

• Did you know that the common sunflower is an annual herb and can grow up to 15 (!) feet high ! 
• The sunflower is primarily native to North and South America but is cultivated worldwide. It is valuable from an economic as well as from an ornamental point of view. The leaves are used as fodder, the flowers yield a yellow dye, and the seeds contain oil and are used for food. 
• There are about 70 species of sunflowers. Each sunflower is actually thousands of teeny flowers and can contain as many as 1,000 to 2,000 seeds. 
• The French word for sunflower is “tournesol,” which means “turns with the sun.” Sunflowers are heliotropic. Sunflower buds face the east as the sun rises and follow the sun as it sets in the west. Once sunflowers bloom and the stems harden, the blooms are fixed to the east and no longer move with the course of the sun.

However sunflower bloom is short, usually a window of about two weeks. This year I offer sessions at three different locations. Choose the one that is right for you. 

Mackinaw, IL

Two large sunflower fields right in rural Central Illinois. Usually no crowds, just sunflowers and your family pictures! The fields are very easy to get to and there is plenty of parking in a lot right at the edge of the field. 

Clearview Farms in Champaign, IL

Acres and Acres of sunflowers and nothing but blue skies. At Clearview Farms you will find a maze in the sunflower field which makes it easy to walk within the sunflowers. Check out these links that will answer some of the questions you might have about this location:

Everything You Need to Know About the Sunflowers!

https://www.wcia.com/news/sunflower-maze-to-bloom-at-clearview-farm

Rader Family Farms in Normal, IL

Rader has a beautiful Sunflower Field with lots of awesome props such as an old truck and a swing. The farm is located right at the edge of town. Most of us have probably been to the farm for the pumpkin patch or baby animal days. This location requires reservations and has a $75 location fee. If you are interested in photos here, use the button below to send me a message.

I hope you are as excited about the sunflowers as I am and I can’t wait to see you for one of the sessions. If you have any questions or maybe need a different time for your session email me at Martina@MartinaNewportPhotography and we will get something tailored to your needs. 

In the comments below leave me you favourite fact, quote or memory about sunflowers. I am looking forward to reading them all!