Tree Farm Minis | 2025

On a chilly but sun-drenched Sunday afternoon, I made my way to Haven Wood Farm for a full lineup of back-to-back holiday mini sessions. Tucked away in Clarke County, this stunning tree farm has the kind of charm that feels pulled straight from a holiday movie — rows of evergreens, open rolling hills, and a peaceful quiet you can only find out in the country.

Haven Wood Farm’s story is just as special as the land itself. In October 2012, the owners purchased 70 acres of raw farmland with a dream of creating a Christmas tree farm that families could return to year after year. They fell in love with its wide-open fields, Blue Ridge Mountain views, and the secluded patch of woods that ultimately inspired the name Haven Wood Farm. Today, it’s one of the most picturesque holiday locations in the region — and the perfect backdrop for a day of minis.

As the afternoon went on, the golden light only grew more magical. I spent my hours bouncing between the rows of trees, chasing toddlers, playing peekaboo, coaxing big belly laughs out of tiny humans, and guiding couples into soft, romantic poses as the sun dipped lower behind them — with holiday music playing on my bluetooth speaker, of course. It was one of those days that fills a photographer’s heart to the brim.

Every family I photographed brought something unique and beautiful to their session, but one in particular left a profound imprint on me. This family lost their son tragically in November of 2023 — a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile and precious life truly is. Their love for each other was palpable, wrapping around the session in a quiet, powerful way that I’ll never forget. My heart remains with them and I felt honored to be chosen as their photographer to capture their first family photos without him physically there.

Sessions like these — filled with joy, love, tenderness, and everything in between — remind me why I do what I do.