Seattle Christmas Tree Farm Mini-Sessions

Fifteen minutes moves quickly, which is exactly why clear guidance matters.

I’ll guide the session from the beginning rather than expecting your family to know what to do. I’ll help with where to stand, how to position yourselves, and when movement or interaction will work better than holding a pose.

I also make decisions about which photographs and combinations to prioritize as we go, adjusting to your family and the way your children respond that day.

The exact mix naturally varies from one family to another, but you won’t be left trying to figure out the session on your own.

I usually work toward a mix of portraits of your whole family together, individual photographs of each child, siblings together, children with each parent, and a few more natural or interactive family photographs. When a dog joins the session, I also work toward photographs that include your dog with the family.

When the children are comfortable and our time allows, I try to create more than one portrait of everyone together, giving you options for a holiday card and an updated family portrait.

Every family is different, and children often influence the pace of a short session. I make the most of our time together and adjust what we photograph rather than forcing an exact shot list.

This is one of the most common concerns parents have.

Children don’t need to behave perfectly or smile on command for the entire session. I’m used to working with different ages, personalities, moods, and energy levels, and I adjust as we go.

That might mean adding movement, changing the interaction, giving a child a moment to reset, or moving on to a different family combination.

I can’t guarantee a particular expression or behavior, but I can adapt and make thoughtful use of the session we have.

You don’t have to figure out everyone’s outfits on your own.

After booking, you’ll receive my prep guide and access to an online styling service to help you coordinate clothing for your family. You’re also welcome to email me with styling questions before your session.

In general, I recommend coordinating rather than matching. Colors, textures, and layers that work well together help the finished gallery feel cohesive while still letting everyone look like themselves.

I actively monitor weather and safety conditions for outdoor sessions, and the final decision may sometimes be made as late as the morning of your session.

Steady rain, high winds, or unsafe conditions may require us to reschedule. Clouds, overcast skies, and normal seasonal changes alone are not reasons to move a session.

The start time may also shift by up to 30 minutes when needed for light or weather, subject to the farm’s restrictions.

If weather prevents the session from taking place, I’ll first work with you to find a suitable replacement date. If no suitable replacement date works, your booking deposit will be refunded.

If your plans change, please contact me at least 72 hours before your session.

One client-requested reschedule is permitted with the required notice, and your existing deposit transfers to the approved new date.

If someone attending becomes sick inside the 72-hour window, please contact me before the session. A qualifying illness may be rescheduled with the deposit retained and does not count against the ordinary reschedule limit.

If holiday cards are important to you, I recommend choosing an earlier Tree Farm date when possible (before November 9th). That gives you more room for image selection, final editing, and your chosen printer’s production and shipping time.

Your proof gallery is delivered within 4 days after your session. You’ll then select your included photographs. For selections submitted within the normal 7-day selection window, your final hand-edited images are delivered within 7 days after I receive your selections, excluding applicable blackout days and unexpected delays.

Printing and shipping deadlines vary by company, so please also check the current holiday deadlines for the printer you plan to use.

The base Tree Farm Mini-Session includes your immediate family. Grandparents are welcome to join for $35 each.

Yes. Dogs are welcome to join your Tree Farm Mini-Session.

Your dog should remain safely controlled throughout the session. When your dog isn’t being photographed, please have a responsible adult available to supervise them or another safe plan for keeping them securely controlled.

If your dog becomes uncomfortable or can’t participate safely, I may pause or end the dog’s portion of the session while continuing with your family where reasonably possible.

Yes. Your session includes 10 hand-edited high-resolution images that you choose from a proof gallery of approximately 40–60 photographs.

After seeing your proofs, you may purchase additional hand-edited photographs for $20 each.

You may also purchase the full proof gallery for $200. The full-gallery upgrade includes standard color correction rather than individual hand retouching of every photograph.

Your selected hand-edited images receive additional attention beyond standard color correction, including basic skin smoothing, blemish and bruising removal, and removal of a few flyaways where appropriate.

A $100 deposit reserves your Tree Farm Mini-Session. The remaining balance is due on the day of your session. Your proof gallery is released once payment has been received in full.

If an indoor setting is a better fit for your family, I also offer Classic Studio Holiday Mini-Sessions at my private studio in Kirkland. They offer a short holiday-session format indoors, without needing to plan around outdoor weather.