Lianne Ashton Photography

Dairy photo Gallery of Rockfontein Farm

I have visited many farms. With each farm I visit, I often get to observe where the priorities are of the farmer other than the running of a farm. With Rockfontein farm, I immediately noticed the staff and the atmosphere on the farm. It’s a happy place here.

For this farm photography shoot, I was asked to capture the staff. The farmer wanted pictures of his staff at work, some of them who have been with him for many, many years and who have become an intricate part of the farm’s story.

I met many wonderful characters on this shoot who gave me the impression of being dedicated, hard working, team players who understand how each and every role on the farm is what makes this big dairy operation work like it does. I left this farm thinking of how important it for us to be ‘seen, heard, considered and appreciated’ and how much can be achieved when this happens. How each and every team member takes responsibility and has pride in what they do. I saw all this on this shoot, and it’s given me plenty to think about.

A weekend in Kruger National Park

I’ve been on an agricultural Ellepot shoot in White River this last week with a ‘weekend’ slap bang in the middle of it. With Kruger just a short drive from White River, I decided to head into the bush for a weekend of game viewing! Here are a couple of my favourite sightings.

A tropical paradise in White River

You can spot them from a mile a way…people who are passionate about something and who make ‘it’ their way of life. This week I met Johan Jubbe, owner of the Ku De Ta Bed and Breakfast in White River. This is not just a bed and breakfast, this is a tropical garden paradise…in particular, someone who is especially passionate about Bromeliad’s. You will not just get a bed and breakfast here, you will pulled into a tropical paradise. When there is editing to be done, (since I am on a business trip) I have strayed from the laptop many times this week and found myself exploring this magnificent garden instead. This is a Bromeliad paradise. I did not know what a Bromeliad is before my visit to Ku De Ta, but now I do and I most appreciate this job perk… that I get to learn so much through travel. This week, I learned about Bromeliad’s and also how not to kill house plant. Johan says it’s simple. But I suspect he has very green fingers!

I highly recommend Ku De Ta in White River, Mpumalanga. Not only will you be treated with a tropical paradise, but Johan serves good breakfast’s and importantly, (for me at least) very good coffee. A must for a photographer on a photography tour! You will also leave knowing more about Bromeliad’s because THIS garden makes you want to know more and because Johan is generous with his time and knowledge of plant propagation and cultivation.

To find out more about Ku De Ta, check out their website. Ku De Ta website

Once a Bromeliad flowers, it sends out pups then dies! It’s taken almost 15 years for this Bromeliad to flower.

Learning from Johan who is passionate about Bromeliads

A pineapple is a part of the Bromeliad family

Photographer taking a break from editing and getting creative with Koi fish!

Sutherland Seedlings East London using Ellepot to plant Avo Seedlings

This year I have been visiting various nurseries around South Africa that have embraced the Ellepot planting system. First stop was Sutherland Seedlings in East London who specialize in Avo’s.

Ellepot planting machine being used at Sutherland Seedlings, East London to plant avo’s

Women workers at Sutherland Seedlings, East London

Lianne Ashton Photography

Farm Photography; Dipping Cattle

It’s been a while since I did this shoot, completely unexpected and not planned. I met these farmers on an Eastern Cape agricultural road trip by chance and was invited to their remote farm in the Amathole mountains to document a day of dipping. It’s turned out to be one of my favourite farm photography experiences to date. It came with wild flowers, thunderstorms, plenty of cattle action and the most spectacular views the Eastern Cape has to offer!