One of the biggest things I focused on last year was searching for the perfect product for my clients. I want to offer product that not only displays their images beautifully but items that are well made and unique. Something that fits my brand and style and something that I would want to hang in my own home. I was in a photography group for a class that I took and there was a gal in there that posted a picture of a frame and asked me if anyone would be interested in these types of frames for their business. I took one looked and knew that this was exactly what I had been looking for. I was beyond excited. This gal, Shannon, and her husband were not quite ready to launch a business yet but I waited and when they were I jumped at the chance to start offering these. I ordered two frames, a Silo and a Haywagon. I have to admit the Haywagon frame was just for me to hang in my house (and it looks amazing above my mantle). The Silo is gorgeous and on display in my studio. I am going to blog next week more about these frames but I wanted to take a few minutes and introduce you to the amazing couple behind the business.
Shannon and Dave, thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions. <3
SRP: What was your inspiration for starting this business?
FF: It was kind of something that happened in stages. We always talked about opening a prop shop or something that ties into our photography business so we could work together more as a family. We have been creating frames for our own studio for a couple of years and the public loved them! When Dave lost his job in 2016 we figured this could be the chance to follow our dreams. We had a lot of support from the photography community and knew that God was answering our prayers.
SRP: Tell me a little about Farmhouse Frames.
FF: Farmhouse Frames is a husband and wife team that creates reclaimed frames for photographers. All of our products are made from reclaimed and vintage materials. We really are a family business! You will often find all five of us at the shop on the weekend and the girls love to help.
SRP: How do you find such great materials for your frames?
FF: It is definitely a hunt!! We live in an agricultural area so there are quite a lot of barns and old buildings that need to be cleaned up. But, barn wood can be really pricey and most farmers know what it is worth so getting the buildings isn’t always easiest. One thing I can say is that our friends and family help so much with this!! They are constantly scouting for us and sending us links to sales. The tear down is a huge task to ta
ke on and the hardest part of the framing process.
SRP: Are all of your frames custom made?
FF: Yes. Each piece of wood is hand selected and hand crafted. From the start to the finish every frame is handled like a piece of art. The beauty of the process is that we are a smaller business so we genuinely have love for the creating process. Dave makes every single frame and each one has its own characteristics. He still makes me look at each one and gets excited about the details.
SRP: What is your favorite product and why?
FF: (Shannon) The Carriage House!! I am obsessed with the chippy white paint and outer edge! It is the perfect mix of rustic and delicate.
(Dave) Anything original. I get the most joy out of creating a frame out of a single board that is found at an auction or sale or something like that. Something I know can never again be created.
SRP: Do you offer anything else other than frames?
FF: We just started to offer vintage and handmade newborn and baby props. I’m really excited about adding this line and the response has been really great!
SRP: I love your products! They fit my style perfectly. What do you feel makes your products unique?
FF: I think what makes us unique is that we feature a variety of styles and different tones and color of barn wood so you can choose a frame that fits your brand and you don’t have to offer the same product as everyone else. I also think being a photographer and having our own studio allows us to understand ordering a product from a vendor. We know how important it is to have your products be perfectly made and represent your business well. Again, I think the fact that we are a small family business also makes us unique. We know and have a relationship with all of our customers. We genuinely care for them and want to help them succeed. This entire journey has been a huge blessing!
I love that you have started a prop shop as well. Many of your tiebacks, crates, buckets and quilt layers are already here in my studio. I love using them and have received so many compliments on how beautiful they are and well made. Of course your frames are amazing and I am so excited to not only to offer them to my clients but to use them for every picture in my house.
To see what they are creating and what is available during your session and for purchase after, please go to the following links and take a look. Show them some love because they certainly deserve it and my business is better from working with them.
https://farmhouse-frames.myshopify.com/
https://www.facebook.com/farmhouseframes/
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What a beautiful product! How lucky are your clients to be able to frame their images with these!
WOW those are amazing!!!!
They are the best frames I have seen!!
These frames are amazing!!! I love the style and they go perfect with your portraits.