If you’ve never been to Cuddle A Cow Farm in Cabarita, it is one of the most unexpectedly beautiful places for a family photography session. It is calm, clean, well-run and full of animals that children can actually interact with. Not from a distance. Not behind a fence. Proper hands-on, real farm moments that kids talk about for weeks. The farm has horses, cows, sheep, guinea pigs, chickens, baby chicks and the friendliest calf who will happily come over for pats and bottle feeding. There is a large fenced yard where the kids can explore safely, and everything is tidy and well maintained. As a photographer, I notice the little things. Light. Background. Colour. Space. This farm has all of it. It is tidy enough for beautiful photos but still full of character and warmth.
The family I photographed here recently had three kids between seven and twelve. Normally older kids can be a bit too “cool” for farm life, but they all loved it. Feeding the calf was a massive highlight, and I genuinely think they forgot I was even holding a camera. That is exactly what creates the best photos. Kids being themselves. Families connecting without pressure. Parents relaxing because everyone is actually having a good time.
Before you go, it’s worth having a quick chat with your kids about how to move around farm animals. Excitement is completely normal, especially when there are calves to feed and chickens to cuddle, but animals respond best to calm, gentle energy. Kids don’t always know this, so a simple reminder can make the whole experience smoother and safer. Cows, especially young calves, communicate with small body movements. They don’t bite, but they will shift or step away if they feel overwhelmed. Helping your kids understand this ahead of time means the animals stay relaxed, and it gives everyone a better experience.
What I loved most about shooting here is that it gives families something to do together. Instead of standing in a row at the beach or being posed in a quiet park, the kids are feeding, patting, laughing and moving. Parents are involved. Everyone forgets about the camera. The result is genuine connection and beautiful, natural photos that don’t feel staged.
And if you are a small business owner, this is also a surprisingly beautiful location for branding photography. The light is gorgeous, the grounds are immaculate and the on-site studio is a dream. If your brand has anything to do with nature, wellness, animals, education, sustainability, early childhood or outdoor living, this space gives you so much to work with. Clean, soft colours. Timber textures. A calm environment where you can actually relax into the session.
Cuddle A Cow Farm is one of those places you visit once and instantly add to your list of “why didn’t we do this sooner?” spots on the Tweed Coast. Your kids will love it. Your photos will be full of real moments. And you’ll walk away with a gallery that feels nothing like the usual “stand here and smile” session.
If you’d like a family session here or want to explore what branding photos could look like on the farm or in their studio, send me a message and we can chat through the options or go check out the farm here.
