Clark Farms 2012: Our Everyday Life on the Farm

There’s no shortage of scenic autumn spots in Connecticut, but sometimes it’s worth a short trip across the border to Rhode Island. The Ocean State is deceptively charming — despite the confusing name for a three-year-old who wonders why “Rhode Island” isn’t actually an island — and it offers plenty of family-friendly fun. If your toddler enjoys giant slides and goats, Clark Farms is an excellent choice.

I’m taking a breakout course through Clickin Moms called Photographing Your Everyday, and it’s been eye-opening. I had hoped that simply reading great advice online would magically improve my photography, but real progress has required hands-on practice. Still, going into the day with the intention to tell a story and a clear plan made a noticeable difference in how I photographed the outing.

We spent about three hours at the farm, so there was plenty of time to capture a full little story: the kids exploring, playing, and interacting with the animals and activities. Taking that longer view helped me focus on narrative moments rather than just isolated snapshots.

Thanks to our friend Merin and her daughters for inviting us and playing so nicely, even if the goats were a little less cooperative. By the end of the day my kids were exhausted — and hopefully yours will be too, so you can enjoy a long, quiet night of sleep.