Christmas Tree Farm Photos Near Chicago: Everything You Need to Know
If you’ve been thinking about Christmas tree farm photos near Chicago and wondering how to actually make it happen for your family, this post is going to answer all of your questions!
Tree farm sessions are one of my absolute favorite things to offer families each fall. There is something about that combination of beautiful evergreens and crisp late afternoon light that creates a feeling no studio or park session can replicate. It’s a little bit magical, genuinely fun for kids, and the photos have a warmth and timelessness that families come back to year after year.
Here’s everything you need to know before you book:
Where Tree Farm Sessions Take Place
My fall tree farm sessions take place at Richardson Tree Farm in Spring Grove, IL, about 65 miles northwest of Chicago near the Illinois-Wisconsin border. It’s a nice scenic drive for some families coming from Barrington Hills, Crystal Lake, and Rockford, but every single family who has made the trip has told me it was completely worth it.
The setting speaks for itself. Rows of trees stretching out in every direction, open sky, and that quiet, unhurried feeling that is genuinely hard to find anywhere closer to the city.
[Image alt text suggestion: Christmas tree farm photos near Chicago at Richardson Farm Spring Grove IL]
When Do Tree Farm Sessions Take Place
This is the detail that makes all the difference.
My sessions take place in late October and early November, before the farm opens to the public for Christmas tree cutting season. That means no crowds, no strangers walking through your frame, and no kids getting distracted by everything happening around them.
It’s just your family, the trees, and open fields as far as you can see. It’s a private, intentional experience that simply would not be the same once the season is in full swing.
What Christmas Tree Farm Photos Near Chicago Actually Look Like
If you’re picturing everyone lined up in matching outfits staring at the camera, let me paint you a different picture.
These sessions are gently guided and child-led in nature. There’s room for kids to explore, run ahead, discover things, and just be completely themselves in a stunning outdoor setting. I guide your family through gentle prompts that create real moments instead of forced poses. A walk through the rows of trees. Kids running ahead while you watch. Little ones carried on dad’s shoulders. Siblings doing what siblings do when nobody is telling them to stand still.
The in-between moments are always the ones families treasure most. And I know exactly how to find them.
And yes, we do get that Christmas card worthy shot!
You can see what this looks like for real families over on my Tree Farm portfolio page.
These sessions are designed for immediate families only, meaning you, your partner, and your children. Keeping it intimate means every session gets my full attention and every family gets photos that truly feel like theirs.
What Time of Day Are Sessions?
Sessions take place within two to three hours of sunset, when the light is at its absolute best.
Because fall days are shorter than you might expect, that means sessions happen in the late afternoon rather than the evening. In late October, sessions typically begin around 3:30 to 4:00 PM. By early November after the clocks change, sunset falls around 4:30 PM, so sessions start closer to 2:30 PM.
For families with young children this is actually great news! No late bedtimes, no overtired toddlers, just a beautiful afternoon outside together before dinner.
How to Prepare Your Kids for a Tree Farm Session
A little preparation here goes a long way, and I promise it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Talk about it like a fun adventure. Don’t build it up as a photo session where everyone needs to behave and stand still the whole time. Instead, tell your kids you’re going to a really cool tree farm to explore and have some fun with your family, and that Jessie is going to take some pictures of you while you do. That framing alone changes everything about how kids show up. If you act stressed and worried, the kids will feel it, trust me!
Feed everyone before you come. A hungry child is a grumpy child. Make sure everyone has had a proper meal or snack before you arrive so nobody is running on empty. Since these sessions are “Petite”, meaning 20 – 30 minutes, there will not be time for snacking but I promise to bring a yummy treat to end the session with 😉
Dress everyone warmly and bring extra layers. Late October and early November in Illinois can be genuinely cold out in an open field. Make sure everyone is warm enough to actually enjoy themselves and tuck an extra layer or two in your bag just in case.
Let them wear something they feel good in. Within the outfit guidelines I’ll send you, give your kids a little input on what they wear. I find picking out two outfits (that will fit into your color scheme) and asking them which one they would like to wear, works really well. Kids who feel like themselves in their clothes are always easier to photograph.
Don’t stress about perfect behavior. I have never once needed a child to be perfectly behaved to get a beautiful photo. The silliness, the movement, the moments where they’re not looking at the camera: those are almost always the best ones.
What to Wear for Christmas Tree Farm Photos Near Chicago
The Simple Formula
Every family who books receives a full styling guide from me before their session so the outfit planning is completely taken care of.
But here’s a head start:
Coordinate, don’t match. Choose a color palette and let everyone interpret it in their own way. Different textures, different shades of the same tone, and a mix of patterns and solids all work beautifully together and look far more natural than everyone in identical outfits.
Lean into rich, warm fall tones. Deep olive, warm rust, burgundy, camel, cream, and soft brown all photograph beautifully against the green of the trees and the warm tones of a late fall afternoon. Even lighter neutral and earthy tones work wonderfully in this setting.
Keep it effortless and elevated. Think cozy layers, soft knits, and simple silhouettes. The kind of outfit that looks intentional without trying too hard.
Skip the logos and neon. Graphic tees, bold brand logos, and anything neon will pull focus away from the people in your photos. Keep it simple and let your family be the star.
Layer up practically too. Cozy sweaters, light jackets, and scarves add beautiful texture and dimension to your photos while keeping everyone comfortable in the cold.
A note for mamas: wear something you feel genuinely beautiful in!
What Happens After Your Session
This is where the experience goes a little further than you might expect.
After your session, you’ll receive a beautifully curated online gallery with your final images ready to download, print, and share. But we don’t stop there!
Every family also gets access to a gallery shop where you can order directly from your images. Think Christmas cards designed and ready to send, and a custom ornament featuring your family from your session. Something tangible, something festive, and something that becomes part of your holiday tradition year after year.
These photographs are not meant to live on a hard drive. They’re meant to be on your wall, in your mailbox, and hanging on your tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the weather doesn’t cooperate?
Every session comes with a designated alternate date for weather related cancellations. If we need to reschedule, you won’t lose your spot and we won’t leave you scrambling. You’ll know the alternate date prior to booking, so make sure that you are available both days just in case.
What if it’s really cold?
Dress warm, bring layers, and trust the process. A little chill in the air actually makes for some of the most beautiful fall photos: rosy cheeks, cozy sweaters, kids tucked into dad’s jacket. We will play, explore, and have fun, and I promise nobody stays cold for long when they’re moving and laughing. I will reschedule to our rain date if the temp is extremely cold as I really don’t like being cold either!
What if my kids don’t cooperate?
My sessions are built around kids being kids, not kids performing for a camera. Movement, silliness, and a little chaos are not problems to manage. They’re usually where the best photos come from. Refrain from disciplining your child(ren) before and during our session together. Nothing kills the vibe more than an unhappy parent, reprimanding their child at a session. Have fun and go with the flow and your kids will have fun too!
Can we bring our dog?
Yes, absolutely, as long as they are on a leash and reasonably well behaved. Dogs add so much personality to family photos, and I genuinely love having them there.
Can we include grandparents or extended family?
These sessions are designed for immediate families only: you, your partner, and your children. This keeps the experience intimate and focused entirely on your little unit.
When Should You Book Christmas Tree Farm Photos Near Chicago?
Booking opens in late August, and with only a handful of spots available across two dates, they fill quickly. By the time most families start thinking about fall photos in September and October, the spots are already gone.
The best way to make sure you don’t miss out is to get on the waitlist so you hear about booking the moment it opens. That way you’re first in line instead of checking back in October and finding everything is already full.
If a tree farm session has been on your radar, send me a DM by clicking here and saying ‘Tree Farm’ and I’ll add you to the Wait List!
Ready to Book?
I would love to photograph your family in the trees this fall! Reach out here to get on the waitlist and be first to know when booking opens in late August.
This is the kind of session your kids will ask to do again every single year ☺️
I can’t wait to see you in the tree,
Jessie
Hi, I’m Jessie, a maternity, newborn, and family photographer who loves capturing the beautiful seasons of motherhood and family life. My sessions are designed as a full-service experience, thoughtfully guiding you from planning to finished artwork. If you’re looking for a thoughtfully guided, stress-free maternity, newborn, or family photography experience, I’d love to connect.
Hi, I’m Jessie, a maternity, newborn, and family photographer who loves capturing the beautiful seasons of motherhood and family life. My sessions are designed as a full-service experience, thoughtfully guiding you from planning to finished artwork. If you’re looking for a thoughtfully guided, stress-free maternity, newborn, or family photography experience, I’d love to connect.
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