The Blog

There’s just something about a Christmas tree farm that feels like stepping straight into a memory.

The cold air – and sometime not 🤣 .
The trees lined up like something out of a movie.
Kids wrapped in scarves and giggles.
Parents quietly hoping someone smiles in at least one photo.

This year’s Christmas Tree Farm minis at Snickers Gap Christmas Tree Farm were everything we hoped for—and then some. Nestled in the Virginia countryside, the rows of evergreens created the perfect, nostalgic backdrop for family photos that felt more like real moments than “posed pictures.”

And the families? They brought the energy.

From belly laughs to tiny personalities stealing the spotlight, these sessions were full of the kind of magic you can’t manufacture—only capture.

The Kind of Sessions That Feel Like a Win

One of my favorite things about mini sessions is that they’re short, sweet, and full of life. You show up, we play a little, cuddle a little, laugh a lot—and somehow… magic shows up right on cue.

One parent summed it up perfectly:

“Thank you so much! I absolutely love them! Of course I’ve got to download all of them 😆 thank you so much for capturing these moments!”

If you’ve ever worried your kids won’t cooperate or that someone might refuse to smile (or worse… stick out their tongue), you’re not alone.

Another parent wrote:

“I was so worried we wouldn’t get a photo without E sticking her tongue out, but it looks like she was the star of the show. 😂 Thank you for capturing their silly (and sometimes sweet) personalities!”

That’s my favorite part: embracing exactly who your kids are in this season. The silly. The shy. The sparkle. The chaos. The tender moments that sneak in between.

When You Know It’s a Favorite

Sometimes you can tell, right there in the moment, that something special is happening.

One sweet note said:

“I knew I would LOVE this one!!!! I could tell that day it was going to be a favorite!!”

And another:

“Eeekkkk I LOVE THEM!! You are amazing, these are so special.”

Those messages? They’re the fuel behind everything I do.

And yes… many families downloaded every single image. I see you. I get it. I’d do the same.

More Than Photos — A Tradition

Christmas Tree Farm minis aren’t just about holiday cards.
They’re about creating traditions.

They’re about watching kids grow.
Seeing personalities emerge.
And documenting your family’s story year after year.

One client even followed up asking about albums:

“If I do an album, is it from one session or can it be a mix from all our sessions… giddy that we have so many this year!”

That’s the dream. A growing collection of memories that tell your family’s story over time.

Not just for now—but for later.

P.S. the answer is we can absolutely mix sessions for your album!!

Want First Dibs Next Year?

Christmas Tree Farm minis fill fast every year (like in under 1 hour fast) and the families on my email list always get first access.

If you want to be the first to know when these sessions return next season (and get early access to book), join my mailing list below:

👉 Join the Mary Catherine Photography email list
Be the first to hear about mini sessions, early booking opportunities, and upcoming releases.