It may be mid harvesting thousands of Christmas trees ready for sale this season, but during the summer Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm in East Sussex took on a whole new persona.
Global brand FatFace, which has 210 stores, chose Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm for shooting their 2020 festive campaign, transforming it into a winter wonderland.
Complete with snow machine, the farm was turned into a winter Christmas setting for FatFace’s fashion shoot with child and adult models in jumpers and scarves, stylists, photographers and props.
The Catsfield engineer, Robin, helped to source a vintage Land Rover that became a focal point in one of the sets.
To give the scene an authentic festive feel, an artificial snow making machine was used to produce flakes made from paper. The artificial snow was completely biodegradable and designed to dissolve when it rained.
Chris Tidy, Creative Manager at FatFace, explained: “As part of planning for our photoshoot, we create concepts which include ideal locations. For our Winter shoot this included a Christmas tree farm. Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm offered everything in terms of location and style, the staff were welcoming and very helpful both in the run up to and during our photoshoot.
“The shoot was a little different this year as the models had to be socially distanced and we had to adapt other aspects because of COVID-19.”
Clive Collins, founder of Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm, said: “I am really proud that FatFace chose us for their photoshoot, particularly as there is a store in nearby Battle. Knowing that our farm will feature in their global Winter campaign is very exciting.”
The farm is no stranger to camera crews and photographers and in the past has worked with Godiva Chocolates, CBBC, Kerrang and Sussex Life magazines.
Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm has been operating in East Sussex for over 30 years and raises money for a charity each year.
This year the farm staff have chosen to support local Scouting groups - a cause close to the heart of all the members of the team who work there, and Clive Collins the founder.
Each festive tree sold will generate a donation of 25p and there will be collection boxes in the Christmas shop from Friday 20th November to Christmas Eve.
To find out more, go to: https://catsfieldchristmastreefarm.com/
The BCTGA represents Christmas tree growers in the UK, to find details on your nearerest grower please see https://bctga.co.uk/onlinedirectory