A Year in Bloom: Celebrating Photography on the Farm

As the seasons come to a close, I find myself reflecting on what an incredible year it has been welcoming photographers, families, couples, and creatives to the farm. Every corner of our fields held stories. They were captured in golden light, framed by blooms, and wrapped in the kind of beauty that only a working flower farm can offer.

In 2025, we saw the farm transform into a backdrop for so many special moments:

• Family/portrait sessions we hosted large family groups and smaller spotlights (baptism, birthday, toddler, baby, etc) where moments were filled with laughter and connection among the rows of flowers.

• Branding shoots for local entrepreneurs that turned the backdrop of our fields into their working success stories.

• High school seniors and dance photos marking milestones and memories with portraits among the blooms.

• Creative projects and styled shoots where photographers brought their visions and products to life in our space.

• Seasonal events like Girls Night Out and Witches Night Out that paired floral fun with ready-made photo opportunities.

Each booking was a reminder of why we opened the farm to photography in the first place…to give people a space that feels both magical and grounded, natural yet elevated. The flowers change with the seasons, so no two sessions are ever the same. That makes each shoot here one of a kind.

Looking back, I feel so grateful for the way this community has embraced our farm as a place not only to grow flowers, but to grow memories. Seeing the photos come back—tiny hands holding blooms, couples sharing quiet moments, friends laughing in flowers—has been the highlight of my year.

Now it’s time to look ahead. Our 2026 photography calendar is officially open, and I’d love to welcome you to create your own story here next season. Whether you’re a professional photographer looking for the perfect setting, or you’re dreaming up a family session or celebration, we’d love to host you.

Spots fill quickly each year, so now is the time to reserve your preferred season. Spring blossoms, summer abundance, fall glow—each has its own beauty waiting to be captured. I don’t overschedule bookings so the photographer and client can be sure to find that perfect shot. I’ll never rush you out of the farm. And that’s all part of the experience.

📸 Ready to book your session? Inquire here: https://www.sunnysideurbanfarm.com/shop/p/photography-venue-rental

Here’s to another year of flowers, photos, and memories in bloom. I can’t wait to see what 2026 will bring.

Farm News

Our urban flower farm is growing in more ways than one!

As the days stretch longer and we receive stretches of warmer weather, our tiny urban flower farm is buzzing with new life!

Our grow room is maxed to capacity with new starts— waiting for their turn to be planted. Just this week, we’ve started the process of “hardening-off” cool weather plants that will find their permanent home in the ground for the season.

The ranunculus are on their way. This year, we’ll have three times the crop and successions- allowing us to enjoy ranunculus all spring long! Tulips and daffodils are pushing through. Anemones and the sweet peas are eager for the sun.

In addition to WHAT we are growing, here are some updates on HOW we are growing:

We have developed a new south field that will be dedicated to all our perennials: delphinium, lupine, oriental poppies, peonies, coral berries, caryopteris, mock orange and more! We are thrilled with the progress of this new development.

We are really excited about the workshops, classes, and flowers we are bringing to our local community. Although we primarily sell to event florists through the Utah Flower Market, this ‘branch’ of our farm is allowing you to become more involved in the space we are creating!

And that leads me to my final update! The space we are creating is in the works! This season will be a mix of growth and construction- and we are excited for it. A new barn will replace the old farmhouse and a flower shop will be added. Our events and classes will be held in our marketplace this year- but we will soon have a larger space to provide for our gatherings and offering year-round.

It’s the season of fresh beginnings, and we’re inviting you to be a part of it.

Spring Workshops Are Here! 🌷
Want to get your hands in the dirt and learn the art of growing or arranging seasonal blooms? Our intimate spring workshops are designed for flower lovers of all levels. Whether you're eager to grow your own cutting garden or perfect your bouquet-making skills, we have a space for you! Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up early.

March 8th- Seed Starting and Dahlia Tuber Workshop

March 21st- Succulents Workshop

April 12- Clay bud vase making workshop

April 17th- Hyacinth Kokedama

May 9/10- Flower Design

Order Your Spring Blooms 💐
Spring flowers are pure magic—delicate, fragrant, and full of color. We’ll have a variety of locally grown bouquets available for pre-order, perfect for brightening up your home or gifting to someone special. I have a few spaces available for our spring subscription. Make sure to reserve your spring flowers now, they don’t last long.

Follow along for updates, behind-the-scenes farm moments, and all things flowers. We can’t wait to share the beauty of the season with you here!

February is a Bridge.

“February is a bridge. A gentle transition from the stillness of winter to the hope of spring. It whispers to let love guide your actions: love for yourself, love for others, and love for the life you are creating.

Let go of what no longer serves your soul and trust that the seeds you plant now will grow beautifully in time.

This is your season to nurture your heart, honor your path, and embrace the light within you.” -Unknown

I love the transition that February brings. I already begin feeling the buzz to get back to work, while also enjoying the snow that keeps me bound inside reflecting on the garden plans ahead.

For now, our Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Alliums and other bulbs that were planted last fall are working hard beneath the surface- growing roots and storing energy to begin the transition to break through the soil’s surface where we will soon see their presence. Ranunculus and Anemones planted last fall are protected under low tunnels and already beginning to show green leaves! We are also making small steps in our grow room, starting hardy annuals and cold loving flowers. Anemones and sweet peas will soon be ready for planting. Surrounded by this growth, it’s hard not to get excited for what lies ahead!

We have a few remaining spaces in our spring subscription offering. Now is the perfect time to reserve your local flowers for weeks when you need them most!

Sing up here for our spring collection.

Blooming in Winter

Hey flower friends!

I just got back from an amazing experience at the Utah Flower Conference, where I had the honor of doing a live demo! It was such a joy to share my passion for flowers with fellow growers, designers, and flower lovers. Whether you were there in person or cheering me on from afar, I felt all your support, and I couldn’t be more grateful!

During the demo, I showcased how to design using preserved flowers from my farm this season. We created together a beautiful flower cloud, using sustainable practices! The response was incredible! Connecting with so many of you, answering questions, and geeking out over flowers truly filled my heart.

But the flower fun isn’t over yet! If you missed the conference or just want more floral magic, I’d love to see you at Bloem Market at Sun River Gardens!

Date: February 7-8 th, 10 AM- 6PM both days
Location: Sun River Gardens
What to Expect: A dreamy selection of locally grown and preserved blooms, handcrafted art and arrangements, and a chance to see all things flowers— BEFORE the flowers actually start blooming!

Whether you're looking for the perfect bouquet, inspiration for your own garden, or just a beautiful way to spend the day, Bloem Market is the place to be. I’d love to see you there and share the beauty of the season with you!

Let me know if you’ll be stopping by, and thank you for supporting local flowers!

See you soon,
Chelsea

A personal holiday note

Hey friends,

We are amidst one of my favorite times of year. I think it was no accident that I was born in November. Are you enjoying the rich earthy tones, the frosty mornings and sunny afternoons, the excitement of a fluke snow flurry that provides a little bit of joy and sparkle like I am? Above all, I love how this season is intertwined with feelings of gratitude, blessings of harvest, delicious foods, family gatherings, and special holiday traditions. I send you and yours my sincere wishes for a merry season.

I genuinely thank you for your continued support of Sunnyside Urban Farm. Your support means wonders to me and the pursuit of my dream and vision for Sunnyside Urban Farm. I have so many excited things in store for 2025, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

Throughout the growing season, I work hard to provide you with the highest quality of fresh local flowers. Undoubtedly, you have been able to experience these first-hand, either through a Upick, a bouquet subscription, through wholesale, or at one of my events hosted at the farm and enhanced by flowers.

Although winter has arrived and the flowers are gone, I’m sure there are flowers in your future! Now is the perfect time to ensure that you can enjoy next season’s flowers and/or any of my wreaths with the biggest savings of the year. My Black Friday sales are a gift to you for the support you give my farm at this winter season which helps us keep going. These savings end on the 30th and won’t be seen again!

Xoxo,

Chelsea