Christmas is the most joyous time of year; the cozy sweaters, twinkly lights, and spending time with the people you love most is what the season is all about! What better way to celebrate the holidays than with Christmas family photos? I love capturing genuine, authentic moments and a portrait session at a Christmas tree farm provides the most beautiful backdrop for your holiday photos!

Why a Christmas Tree Farm Photoshoot is the Best Choice for Your Christmas Family Photos

Christmastime is so full of joy for your little ones. One of the most exciting parts of the holidays is going as a family to find your Christmas tree. There’s something so sentimental about picking out the perfect tree that you guys get to all decorate together later. So many sweet memories all in one quick little trip! 

And of course, the photos always turn out too adorable to handle. Something about the pine green tones makes for some gorgeous photos, forming the most adorable winter wonderland Christmas backdrop for your gallery. 

All of the sessions you’re seeing here were taken at Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm, my favorite tree farm just outside of Boston. The tree farm only accepts sessions on weekdays and requires a reservation ahead of time, which means you’ll have the whole place to ourselves for your session. Once we pick a date and time, I’ll reserve the farm for us!

Ideas for Your Family Christmas Tree Farm Photoshoot

If you’re planning your Christmas family photos, don’t miss these ideas for some holiday card photos!

Christmas Family Photos Outfit Ideas

Picking outfits for your session can be tricky, but as your Boston family photographer, I’ll help you pull everything together! My top tip? Coordinate, don’t match. And since you’ll be surrounded by deep greens and natural tones, it’s best to follow that neutral palette, or even add in some pops of red for the holiday vibes! Cozy sweaters, vests, hats, etc all photograph beautifully. If you and your littles plan on wearing a coat, make sure to choose ones that you like in photos.

Keep in mind that it’ll probably be cold around this time of year too, so be sure to bundle up and bring layers just in case. Bringing blankets is always a good idea too in case we need to snuggle your little in between photos!

Use Your Christmas Tree Farm Photoshoot for Announcement Photos

If you’re wondering how to announce an engagement or pregnancy in a way filled with holiday spirit, a Christmas tree farm session is a great idea! Getting a few quick photos can create an announcement that no one will forget. Best Christmas present ever!!

Bring Props for a Stylized Session

I always love a good holiday-themed session. When we’re planning your family photos at a Christmas tree farm, we can always talk about bringing props that give a festive feel to your gallery! Here are some ideas I love: 

• A Christmas-colored (or patterned) blanket
• Christmas-themed accessories for your outfits (think bows/bowties!)
• Christmas-themed accessories for your dog
• Wreaths 
• Ornaments
• Santa Hats

I also provide a red wagon for photos upon request, so don’t hesitate to ask me to bring that for your little ones or pups!

Include Your Dog in Your Christmas Tree Farm Photoshoot

Your family isn’t complete without your furry friend, so your Christmas family photos definitely should include your pup, too! Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm is dog-friendly so your pups are always welcome. If you are bringing your dog, I highly recommend bringing an extra person with you to the session to make sure they are in charge of your dog. This is my BEST tip for getting the most out of your session!

I have my top tips for bringing your dog along to your shoot here, which is full of preparation tips I’ve learned from tons of experience photographing dogs over the years. 

Tips for Smooth Christmas Family Photos

The word “family photos” can make any parent break into a cold sweat. Getting kids to cooperate and planning the logistics can be tricky, but what you need to know is that planning a family photoshoot doesn’t have to be stressful! As a Boston family photographer, I’ve picked up so many tricks over the years to make sessions fun and easy!

Tips for Getting Your Kids to Cooperate

Making sure your kids are fed, rested, and comfortable should be a top priority! That’s how we’ll get the most natural and calm behavior at your session. And don’t worry about them not looking directly at the camera with a perfect “Say cheese!” smile. I have tons of prompts that give us amazing poses and keep the kids interested and having fun. You can also offer rewards to your kids for good behavior during the shoot, because who doesn’t love a sweet treat?! 

As a pro tip, I always tell my clients to bring an extra change of clothes, some snacks and water, and some wipes, because it’s always good to have a plan B! 

Be Yourselves

The photos you’ll treasure the most are the ones where you’re just doing your thing: laughing, snuggling, playing, and pretending the camera doesn’t even exist. I want to capture your authentic family dynamic, not just the posed, Christmas card-perfect pics. These are your memories to look back on forever, so I want to capture them honestly! My goal is always to provide a gallery that has a blend of posed and candid moments.

When to Take Christmas Family Photos

If you’re choosing Christmas family photos specifically for your Christmas cards, the earlier, the better! I suggest anywhere between September-November. That way, I have time to edit and send back your photos in time for you to order and mail out your holiday cards. The later into the season you wait, the colder the temperatures get and in my experience, aiming for earlier in the season makes for happier children in photos. 

If you have a different tree farm in mind than Mistletoe Tree Farm, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m happy to explore other Tree Farms in the greater Boston area and would love to see the one where you typically go. 

Lauren Dobish | Boston Family Photographer

If you want family photos that feel sweet, cozy, and authentic, let’s plan to meet at Mistletoe Christmas tree farm next year. You can inquire with me here! 

I hope your holidays are filled with love, cheer, and of course, family fun! 

Check out more blog posts here:

When to Take Maternity Photos (And More Tips for a Successful Maternity Session!)

Newborn Photoshoots At Home vs. In a Studio