Although a great photo is not just about the location, regardless my clients still have some favorite places. A good location sets the ambiance of a photo to achieve that perfect “look”. Compliment a good location with beautiful lighting and you have a great image. These were taken at a local tree farm – a location that has been requested more than once, especially during the holidays 🙂

Due to being in the Valley, where it’s a bit too warm for some of the more traditional varieties of “Christmas tree” pines, such as the Douglas fir, these are Monterey pines… Honestly, I love this touch because it screams California. And, they are beautiful. 

The tree farm, the night we took these, had just been watered so not only was it muddy, but there were actually small puddles throughout the field.

So not only did I need to scout the perfect location from a light perspective but also a spot where no one else was standing (or visible in the background) since there were other photographers there that day with their clients as well. I mean, can you blame them? It’s a gorgeous location, really. Somehow we still ended up in an inch of muddy water. Luckily, the kids I photographed behaved like models … because my own would have been jumping in muddy puddles “like Peppa Pig”. 

This farm is a beautiful location for photos, especially if you are looking for something that has a seasonal touch.