Kamloops cherry farm brings Okanagan-style backdrop to area photographers

While orchards of cherry blossoms are not a difficult backdrop for photographers to find in the Okanagan Valley, they are hard to come by in Kamloops.

A massive 200 acre cherry orchard in Pritchard is hoping to change that.

The trees on Thompson Farm near Pritchard will be in full bloom in time for Mother’s Day, and at least one local photographer is taking full advantage of it. Devan Storey, of Devan Grace Storey Photography, has her May agenda filled with cherry blossom photo shoots.

“Cherry blossoms are something I’ve always loved using for my spring sessions," she said. “They naturally create a magical setting with their shades of pinks and whites. I love how they are one of the first and brightest signs of spring. They make the perfect setting for Mother's Day and engagement photography sessions."

Storey was granted access to use the orchard by farm manager Neil de Jager, and they made a contract.

READ MORE: Mammoth-sized cherry orchard near Kamloops gears up for second harvest season 

“He was amazing to collaborate with,” she said. “He had to double check with the company that it was okay I would be there, and check to make sure I wouldn’t be there when they were spraying.”

Farm manager de Jager said he is considering opening up to more photography shoots in the orchard in the future, but will first see how this one goes.

“We’ll play with the idea to see if this is something we can accommodate,” he said. “Photographers need to realize it is an active farm and there are a lot of safety guidelines we need to follow. There are sensitive areas, sometimes active equipment, and places bees are kept that are not safe areas for photo shoots.”

De Jager said the concept of shooting photography and movies on farms is not new, yet the window of opportunity to shoot during full the cherry blossom bloom is short.

“The trees are only in full bloom for about a two-week period of time, ending around the second week of May,” he said.

“For Kamloops this orchard is kind of big news. This is the first commercially grown cherry orchard since the late forties when the farmers left to join WW2. People are looking for outdoor experiences and getting out of city centres, and we are open to these kinds of ideas.”

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Storey is originally from Vancouver where there she fell in love with the abundance of blossoming Japanese Ornamental Cherry Trees. Last year she looked around Kamloops for the perfect tree and did some couples shoots. She is excited to have access to a whole orchard for the first time.

“There are going to be rows and rows of gorgeous blooming cherry trees and the sunlight will be peeking through them perfectly,” she said. “I have even collaborated with Lavish Picnics Kamloops to create a beautiful set for clients to use to ensuring the memories from these sessions last a lifetime.”

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