One of my favorite annual traditions is my sessions at Zepp’s Tree Farm in Westminster, MD! I’ve been photographing families here for years. It has become one of those locations that I look forward to returning to every Christmas season.

There are so many things I love about photographing families at Zepp’s. Of course, the Christmas trees are a big part of it! The rows of trees create such a pretty backdrop. Whether we’re walking through the trees, sitting together for a family portrait, or letting the kids explore a little, there are lots of opportunities for natural and fun images.

Interested in having your own Christmas tree farm photos at Zepp’s this year? You can find this year’s session dates and book your session here.

And then there’s the light.

Beautiful light is always important to me when I’m choosing a location, and Zepp’s Tree Farm has some really pretty light at sunset. All of my tree farm sessions take place in the 90 minutes before sunset. The combination of the trees and the soft evening light gives the photos that warm, classic holiday feel without needing a lot of extra props or decorations.

I also love that the setting feels like Christmas without being overly staged. You’re actually surrounded by rows of Christmas trees, which gives the photos a natural holiday look while still keeping the focus on your family. As you may have noticed, I’m not huge on props for outdoor shots! I’d much rather let the location do the work and keep the focus on the people in front of my camera.

If you’re looking for a location for Christmas family photos in the Carroll County area, Zepp’s Tree Farm is one of my favorites. I’ve been photographing families here for years, so I know the location well and know how to make use of the different areas depending on the light and the time of day.

Every year, the trees look a little different, the kids get a little older, and families come back to create another set of holiday memories. That’s one of the things I love most about photographing families year after year.

There’s something about Christmas tree farm photos that just feels timeless. The trees, the winter air (though we’ve had a couple years where we’ve been pretending there’s winter air, and it’s really been 70 degrees!), and that soft evening light all come together to create images that feel festive without being overly complicated.

If you’re looking for Christmas tree farm family photos in Carroll County, Maryland, Zepp’s Tree Farm is one of the locations I’m always happy to return to.

My 2026 Christmas tree farm sessions at Zepp’s are now open! If you’d like to join me at the tree farm this year, you can view the available dates and book your session here.