Walking Safely Through Fields of Cows: Advice for Families & Photoshoots

If you love countryside walks (or dream of those dreamy, wild photoshoots in open fields), you’ll sometimes come across public footpaths in fields where cows graze. While cows are usually peaceful and simply curious about people passing through, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little unsure, especially with little ones or a dog in tow.

Here’s everything you need to know for a safe, relaxed experience... whether you’re just wandering, or planning a photoshoot surrounded by rolling fields and gentle giants.

Respect for Land and Animals

All my walks and photoshoots take place on and around public footpaths and rights of way... these are marked walking routes that, in rural areas, sometimes cross fields where animals are kept. Your safety, and the welfare of the animals and the farmer’s property, are always my top priorities.

Why Are Cows On Public Footpaths?

In the UK, many public footpaths cross working farmland. Cows are just living their best lives (sometimes watching us with big, interested eyes!). Incidents are very rare, but a bit of countryside confidence and awareness can make your walk or shoot feel much more comfortable.

Photoshoots in Cow Fields: What to Consider

There’s no denying it: Fields with cows or open pastures make for beautiful, natural backdrops for all kinds of portraits. The gentle countryside atmosphere can really add to the feel of your images.

But it’s important to keep safety and respect for the animals at the heart of our plans:

1. Public Paths Only: All my sessions are organised on public footpaths or common land, never by cutting across or entering private fields without permission. If I can see that land is privare, fenced off or has signs, I won't step foot on it. Whereas if there are clear public country paths and signs guiding routes, I know we are all good.

2. Permission First, If Required: If the ideal location is on private land, I’ll only ever shoot there with the explicit permission of the landowner.

3. Safe Distances: We’ll never position clients right among the cows—photos are taken at a sensible distance, using the animals as a gentle background instead. There’s no need to get up close.

4. Cows are Curious: Don’t be surprised if they wander over for a look or stare! We’ll move calmly and always respect their space if they start to get close. But do so calmly.

5. Dogs: If you’d like your dog in the photos, please let me know ahead of time. They’ll need to stay on a short lead, and I’ll help plan accordingly. Dogs have a tendancy to aggrivate cows, and if they have cattle, even more so. We do not want the cows to feel their babies are in danger. My personal preference for shoots with dogs involved would be to opt for an entirely different location. Mostly because we will want shots of your four legged babies 'off the lead'. Make sense?

Tips For Safe Walking (or Shooting!) In Cow Fields

• Stay calm and keep moving at a soft steady pace.

• Do not have a shoot in a cow field if you feel unsure.

• Stick to public footpaths.

• Avoid getting close to baby cattle, the mothers will feel threatened.

• Always give cows and especially calves plenty of space.

• Do not pet or try to get close to cows.

• Move to the edge of the group if cows seem to gather near you, never allow yourself to be surrounded.

• Keep children close and calmly explain what’s happening.

• If you feel unsafe or the cows seem agitated, we’ll always choose safety and happily find a new spot, and move on.

Do not get close to baby cattle, this will likely make the mother cow feel threatened and you are therefore putting yourself at great risk

Quick Guide: Cows, Bulls & the Fluffy Ginger Ones

When you're out exploring fields and footpaths in the countryside, you'll likely come across different kinds of cattle. Here’s a quick cheat sheet on what you might see, and how to stay safe:

• Cows are the adult females, usually calm and placid, especially if they don’t have calves with them. They come in all sorts of colours and patterns, depending on the breed.

• Bulls are adult males and are much bigger and more muscular. They can be territorial and unpredictable, so it’s best to avoid any field where you see a bull, especially if there’s a warning sign. If in doubt, don’t go in.

• Steers are castrated males (not always obvious at a glance) and are generally calmer than bulls.

• Calves are the young ones, curious but always watch from a distance. Never get between a cow and her calf.

  are those famously fluffy “ginger” or reddish cows with long shaggy coats and big horns. They’re usually gentle but still very big animals, so always give them plenty of space, especially if there are calves about.

Safety tips for every field:

• Stick to public footpaths, never trespass or go wandering into private farmland.

• Always keep your distance (from any cattle, but particularly from bulls and cows with calves).

• Move calmly and quietly through any field, and never run or try to pet the animals.

• If you ever feel uncomfortable or spot a bull, simply find another route and enjoy the countryside from a safe spot.

Respecting the land and livestock means we can all continue to enjoy these beautiful places, and get those relaxed, countryside photos too!

Final Thoughts for Clients

Countryside fields can make dreamy, story-filled backdrops for photoshoots, but the comfort and safety of your family (and the animals!) come first. It's wise to be aware. And paramount to be respectful that if we are entering a p

Public footpath with live stock, you have your wits about you. You are in their space technically, and respect is essential so that they do not feel threatened.