There is a reason Highland cows are all over social media. The shaggy coats, the swoopy horns and that fringe of hair over the eyes make every photo look like a storybook. Still, anyone who has tried knows it is harder than it looks. Cows move, kids wiggle, and those famous bangs can hide the eyes completely. We watch guests take thousands of photos at Mini Moo Land, and these are the tips that make the biggest difference.
Timing
1. Visit in the cool months for peak fluff
Highland cows grow their thickest, shaggiest coats as the days get shorter, and shed some of that hair in spring and summer. For the full teddy bear look, plan your photos between about October and April. (Here is why their coats change in Florida.)
2. Come in the morning
Mornings are cooler, and the herd is often more relaxed and curious. The light is also softer. Mini Moo Land opens at 9:00 AM.
3. Book a bottle feeding for the cutest shot
A baby Highland calf gulping from a bottle is about as cute as photos get. Our VIP Bottle Feeding Experience runs daily at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Have one person feed while another shoots, because the calves drink fast.
Framing The Shot
4. Get down to their level
Crouch so your camera is at the cow's eye level, or even a little lower. Photos taken from standing height look down on the animal and lose the personality. With mini Highlands, that often means kneeling.
5. Focus on the eyes
The fringe over a Highland's eyes is called a dossan. Wait for a head tilt or a breeze that shows an eye, then tap to focus there. A photo where you can see even one eye feels far more alive.
6. Look for even shade
Our herd lives under big live oaks, which means dappled light. Bright spots of sun on a dark coat can blow out on camera. Move so your subject is fully in shade or fully in sun, not half and half.
7. Shoot over the fence, not through it
Hold your phone just above the top rail or find a gap so the fence does not slice across the cow's face. A little fence in the frame is fine and adds a farm feel.
People In The Picture
8. Wear colors that pop against the coat
Most Highlands are red, ginger or cream. Cream, white, denim, soft greens and plaids look great next to them. Head-to-toe orange or brown tends to blend into the coat.
9. Make the moment do the work
Posed photos with animals rarely work. Instead, have your kids hand-feed or scratch a cow's neck and snap away. Real smiles beat "look at the camera" every time.
10. Skip props on the cows
Santa hats and bows look cute on people, but please do not put anything on the animals. If you want a festive card, dress your family up and let the cows bring the fluff.
Phone Camera Tips
11. Use burst mode or video
Calves move constantly. Hold the shutter for a burst, or record a short video and pull your favorite still from it later. Turn off the flash, which can startle animals and flattens that beautiful texture anyway.
12. Try the 2x lens instead of portrait mode
Portrait mode can struggle with fuzzy edges and blur bits of the coat in odd ways. The 2x lens gives you a flattering, natural look with real background blur on most phones.
Planning Holiday Card Photos
Highland cows make fantastic holiday cards, and late fall is when they look their fluffiest. If you want to mail cards in early December, try to take your photos by mid-November so there is time to order prints. Weekday mornings are usually the calmest time to visit. More December ideas are in our guide to Orlando in December.
Where To Photograph Highland Cows Near Orlando
At Mini Moo Land in Kissimmee, admission ($29.99) includes petting, cuddling and hand-feeding our mini Highland herd, with plenty of time for photos. The $65 VIP experience adds bottle-feeding a baby calf, admission included. When you post, tag us on Instagram at @minimooland. We love seeing them.
Make It A Boggy Creek Day
Mini Moo Land is one stop inside Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice park with more than 9,000 reviews. After you meet the herd, the rest of the park is right there:
- Ride an airboat through the headwaters of the Everglades and look for wild alligators, bald eagles and wading birds. Choose a 30-minute or one-hour tour, a sunset tour, or a night tour that guarantees gators.
- Dig for gems at the 70-foot Prospector Gem Mine, where kids sift for semi-precious stones, fossils and crystals.
- Walk through Lily's Butterfly Garden and its native butterflies and plants.
- Visit the Gator Pond.
- Eat lakeside at Boggy Bottom BBQ.
The easiest way to do it all is the 1-hour airboat ride and Mini Moo Land combo, which costs $10 less than booking both separately.
