Farm Photography Policies & Rules

All professional, part-time, and amateur photographers and their clients must understand and adhere to the following policies and rules.  Acknowledgement of your understanding of this policy is made when scheduling and confirming your photo shoot.  

Scheduling

  • Photography is only allowed from January 1st through November 14th.  (absolutely no photography is allowed between November 15th and December 31st).  This is our core business time (tree selling) and the farm is too busy to also support photography.  Informal photos you personally take of your own family while buying a tree are of course allowed and encouraged.  
  • Both professional and amateur photographers must follow this policy and have a reservation (even if bartering or volunteering your time).  
  • The photographer should make the reservation and inform the clients of these policies and rules.
  • We reserve the right to limit the number of photographers on any given day or time-frame.  This ensures that we do not have too many photographers at once or that your shoot does not coincide with any farming activities, private events, or other conflicts.  
  • This online reservation system is the only way to book your session.  Please do not call or email the farm for permission.  You will be directed back to this site.
  • Hours are based on seasonal daylight & city ordinances.  The reservation system reflects the hours available for shoots.
  • All photographers must have their own liability insurance to cover themselves and their clients.  If you don’t have insurance yet it’s reasonably priced and important for your business.  The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is a good possible resource.

Refund Policy

  • There are no refunds after booking your session.  If you need to reschedule (bad weather, illness, etc.) you can do so through the reschedule link in your confirmation email in advance of your originally scheduled time.  A reschedule retains your payment.  No refunds for cancellations or no-shows.  

Session Limitations

  • The reservation system is for standard family sessions, mini’s, graduations, maternity, engagements, etc.  For other lifestyle, product, private, etc. shoots please contact us for rates and your specific needs.
  • The maximum group size is 8 people.  If you have more than 8 people please contact us.
  • Photography is limited to the Christmas tree fields and outside the farm buildings only (Photography Map).  Please stay out of the woods and farmhouse area.
  • There is no indoor space available.  Photographers and clients must remain outside of all buildings.

Location Information

  • Enter and exit the farm at 10920 43rd Street North, Lake Elmo, MN 55042.  The driveway near the farmhouse is for private use only.
  • Parking is only allowed in the main lot.  Absolutely no vehicles are allowed in the fields or along public roads at any time, even just temporarily.  We recommend bringing a wagon or cart if you have more equipment than you can carry.  Accommodations can be made for special circumstances or accessibility needs.
  • Make sure your clients know where to meet and share phone numbers.  We recommend meeting in the main parking lot.
  • General/reasonable use of simple props is allowed but please remove all props after your session.  Fake snow is not allowed.  Please contact us in advance for permission to use any screens, backdrops, external power sources, etc.
  • Photographers may arrive up to 30 minutes early to set up their shoot (no charge)
  • Any minors (under 18 years old) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
  • A portable restroom is available from approximately October 1st until Thanksgiving.  It will be located next to the small white warming house.  No restroom available outside of this time frame.
  • Do not leave any personal items unattended.  We are not responsible for anything lost, broken, stolen, or left behind.
  • All dogs must be leashed at all times and please pick after them if nature “calls”
  • Tobacco products or alcohol are not allowed anywhere on the farm
  • Drones and drone photography are not allowed (we are within a mile of the Lake Elmo Airport)
  • Respect and be aware of what is going on around you.  This is a working farm so there are often tractors, machinery, and other work happening.  Stay off all equipment as they may be unsafe.  Avoid any fields that are actively being worked on.
  • Photographers and their clients are responsible for any damage to property or equipment
  • Photo shoots must not block any farm activities such as paths, trails, equipment, buildings, etc.
  • Respect the work and space of other photographers who may be around the farm
  • Krueger’s Christmas Tree Farm reserves the right to take informal photos of your sessions and/or use publicly posted images (social media, websites, etc) from your sessions for marketing and communication purposes.  Photo/Image credits will be noted on any photos used.  The photography session booker accepts this agreement on behalf of the photographer and the clients of the session.  

Miscellaneous

  • Those not following this policy may be asked by tree farm staff to leave the farm at any time.
  • Have a great and fun photo shoot!  Thanks for supporting and enjoying the farm.  Please tag us in your photos @/#kruegerschristmastreefarm.  Thanks!