Losing Fall to the Frame: How Pumpkin Patches Became Photo Booths

November 2, 2026 /

By Keeley Rissman

The pumpkin patch, which was once an unassuming, autumn errand to find a perfect pumpkin to carve with crunchy seeds to bake, has evolved into a highly staged, revenue-focused influencer backdrop. Patch owners now design fields specifically to be “instagrammable” with hale bale couches and tractor bed frames, and they even charge visitors for admission.  Many farms no longer make their money from selling produce, but instead from admission fees, specialized festivals, and photo-ops. The autumn craze, driven in large by social media, turned fall activities into a commodity. 

The fall obsession is nothing new. Many beloved films and TV shows are memorable for their ties to the season, like Gilmore Girls and When Harry Met Sally. The internet’s love of autumn content started long before the emergence of TikTok and short-form videos. Starting in the early 2000s, younger generations have been more exposed to Halloween craze from an early age, with dressing-up parties, jack-o-lantern carving, festive sweets, and more. This interest has sustained through their teenage and adult years. With the heavy nostalgia of sweet, home-baked pumpkin pies and autumn leaves, it is no wonder that the selfie-crazy Millennials and Gen Zs on Instagram and TikTok come back to their roots every Halloween. 

Fast forward to the 2020s, the obsession with all things autumn has meant that businesses have seen massive increases in the popularity and sales of their seasonal goods. Mostly thanks to Millennials and Gen Zs posting “free advertising” on Instagram, small and large businesses alike have become increasingly commercialized, including pumpkin patches. While it’s trendy to romanticize childhood fall activities online, commercialization of the season has stripped away the inner magic of autumn. Put the phone down, step out of the frame, and experience the beautiful season through your own eyes.

Source(s):

Center Grove Orchard. “Photo Ops.” Center Grove Orchard, centergroveorchard.com/pages/attraction/photo-ops. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026. 

Nast, Condé. “Why Are Millennials and Gen-Z Obsessed With Pumpkins, Autumn and Halloween?” Glamour UK, 2 Oct. 2021, www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/millennials-gen-z-obsessed-autumn. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026. 

Pagán , Angela. “Why Do We Obsess Over Pumpkins Every Fall?” The Takeout, 9 Nov. 2021, www.thetakeout.com/pumpkin-patch-in-fall-why-do-we-celebrate-with-pumpkin-1847999590/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.