5 Must-Take Photos While Christmas Tree Shopping

These photos will serve as

a visual narrative of the joy, laughter, and love

that surround the annual quest for the perfect Christmas tree

Tell your Family Story 

The holiday season is here, and what better way to kick off this festive season than by selecting the perfect Christmas tree? Christmas tree shopping is such a special tradition for many families, filled with excitement, joy, and the anticipation of creating lasting memories. I ask you, is there anything better than smelling that pine tree when you walk into your home? As you go Christmas tree browsing, don't forget to capture this year’s tree-hunt with these five must-take photos.

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The Arrival Shot:

Start telling the story of your family’s day together with a picture of your family or friends arriving at the Christmas tree farm. Whether you're bundled up in winter coats or dragging a saw along with you, this photo sets the scene for the traditional adventure that lies ahead. The smiles, laughter, and the eager anticipation of finding the ideal tree will be one of the highlights of your season.

Pro tip: Experiment with angles and include the entrance sign or a beautifully decorated archway to add a touch of holiday charm to this moment.

2. Amidst the Evergreens:

Once you're surrounded by rows of lush evergreen trees, take a moment to capture the magic of this what is essentially a forest whether literal or manufactured. Frame an image of your loved ones wandering through the trees, exploring the variety of shapes and sizes available. Natural light filtering through the branches and the vibrant green hues make for a picturesque scene that embodies the essence of Christmas.

Try Portrait Mode or Manual

Pro tip: Use a slightly blurred background to emphasize the textures and colors of the trees, making your family or friends the focal point of the photo. You can use portrait mode or manually set your phone to a low aperture like 2.8mm to create this effect.

Add a little creativity:

Try Photographing Through the Branches Capture the enchanting beauty of Christmas tree shopping by framing a shot through the branches of different trees. Position your camera within the foliage, allowing the vibrant green needles to create a natural frame. This unique perspective adds depth to the photo. Experiment with focus to highlight individual branches.

Inspired by the Environment:

The tent overhead intended to protect the flocked lot created a red tint in this image. If you want to remove you can go to edit, tint and move the slider away from the magenta tones. I love the red! I kept it for these images.

3. Choosing the Perfect Tree:

The heart of the Christmas tree shopping experience lies in finding that one special tree that will take center stage in your home. Document the decision-making process as your loved ones carefully inspect each tree, debating the merits of height, shape, and fullness. Capture the joyous moment when you finally discover the perfect tree, marked by smiles, high-fives, or a triumphant pose.

Pro tip: Get down low to the ground for an upward angle, showcasing the height of the trees and the enthusiasm of the decision-making process.

4. Tree Tying Adventure:

After selecting the ideal tree, the next step is getting it safely home. Photograph the process of tying the tree to the roof of the car or securing it in the bed of a truck. These action shots add a dynamic element to your photo collection, and the determined expressions on faces or the comical struggles with knots make for memorable images.

I love taking an image of the tree on top of the car or whatever is hanging out of the back when it does. The relative size of the tree to the car just shows its size so well. 

Pro tip: Experiment with different shutter speeds to capture both the motion of tying the tree and the excitement on everyone's faces.

5. Home Sweet Home:

1. Complete the story of your family getting your Christmas tree by photographing the moment when the Christmas tree arrives at its winter home. When possible, photograph the unloading process, or the joyous expressions as the tree is carried indoors, and the anticipation of decorating it. This is always a little tricky for me since I typically help open/close doors or sometimes help carry the tree depending on its size. This photo marks the culmination of your Christmas tree adventure story. 

Pro tip: Capture a mix of candid moments and posed images to convey the genuine emotions and excitement of bringing the Christmas tree home.

Christmas tree shopping is a tradition and annual events like this are really opportunities to create memories with your loved ones. By capturing these five must-take photos, you'll not only document the process but also create a tangible reminder of the story of your family’s life at this time. These photos will serve as a visual narrative of the joy, laughter, and love that surround the annual quest for the perfect Christmas tree. So, grab your camera or smartphone, and get ready to immortalize the spirit of the season!