Christmas is upon us. Everyone rushes to decorate and buy gifts. Most people decorate with a Christmas tree for the holidays. Do you get a real tree or a fake tree? I have always had a fake tree (preferably white), until this year. This year I was given the opportunity to offer photography services at Frosty Mountain Christmas Tree Farm.
Chipper and Donna Jones are the owners of Frosty Mountain, but I had the pleasure of working with their daughter-in-law, Sarah, the most. She is one of the strongest and kind hearted people I know (the whole family is really). Right away I knew Christmas mini sessions would be perfect! The weekend after Thanksgiving is the busiest weekend for selling Christmas trees. So, I packed ornaments, buffalo plaid, lights, and headed to Marshall, NC.
Picking the perfect place to set up shop is essential. Sun can be your best friend or your worst, when it comes to photography. I ended up moving my set up about 4 times during my three day weekend. Not only did I have my set up amongst the trees, there is the cutest shed decorated with beautiful wreaths. The wreaths served as a beautiful backdrop as well. I kept my set up simple color wise. I stuck with reds and whites mostly, because all the greenery around me.
Green is probably not the best color to wear when having pictures made at a tree farm (all dependent on shade of green). When dressing for pictures, you want to be able to stand out from the back ground. Neutrals and darker winter colors tend to go with the
theme of Christmas, better than spring colors. Come to think of it, slick shoes are not a
good choice either. Boots with good tread can be dressed up with cute boot socks or even monogramed. Cold wet weather and the tractors making their way back and forth can create a muddy mess.
A cup of hot chocolate or coffee by the fire can warm you up on a cold day. Plus the kind sprits of each person working there warmed my heart. Shopping for a real tree is all about the experience. Imagine this, you and your family take a beautiful drive to meet warm inviting people. There is the perfect opportunity to get professional pictures for your Christmas card. After finding the perfect tree, a hot chocolate warms your hands. That sounds like a win-win.
As a photographer, I encourage you to have fun and crack jokes. Don't ever let insecurities stop you from getting pictures with your loved ones. Make memories that you can look back on forever.
Special thank you to Frosty Mountain Christmas Tree Farm, for letting me hang out all weekend and each family that booked a mini session with me. I hope to see you all again next year.