The Hansen Tree Farm is a venue for photo sessions year round, we do not provide photographers, the booking/pass is for the use of the venue only.
Before booking please read this page in its entirety, most FAQs are answered here.
Welcome to Hansen Tree Farm! This is our forest in a city and we happily share it with photographers who treat it with respect. Our family works hard to maintain the trees, trails, structures, amenities and appearance. We know that our customers and your clients appreciate our urban forest.
$ 50 “Photography Pass, by the hour” book one hour at a time for as many hours as you need. 1-hour pass is for a session with one client, couple or family.
- To book multiple hours with one transaction put the first hour in your “cart”
- Enter your name, email and phone number, accept the terms and conditions and the cancelation policy
- Then select “add another service” and continue to add the additional hours to your cart.
- When you are ready to check out click “confirm booking”
- Review your order summary and click “proceed” you will be directed to our secure payment gateway where you will enter payment information
$ ___ Custom pass Please email us at photos@hansentreefarm.com with special requests, such as a campfire during our “off season” or to ensure that the gate will be open at a specific time & day. We are also willing to block out an ideal space or reserve the entire property for commercial photo sessions. We can have our heated building available for wardrobe changes, crew dining or inclement weather. Staff can be on site to operate our equipment - snowplow, forklift, tractor - if needed. The rate will be determined based on the space/facilities required, complexity of the shoot, number of talent/crew, season, and any other special requirements
Hansen Tree Farm provides various amenities for you and your clients.
- 40 acres of stunning views and forest
- Convenient to the Twin Cities
- Dogs welcome
- Schedule any (daylight) time you want
- Rustic backgrounds
- Benches, picnic tables
- Camp fires (during Christmas season)
- Year round bathroom and changing room
- Ample, easy parking
- Mature forest, native prairie, Christmas trees, wetlands
- Holiday activities (hay rides, hot beverages…)
Christmas Tree Season 2023:
On the following dates; November 17-18-19, 24-25-26, and December 1-2-3, 8-9-10 between the hours of 9-5:00 the farm and our staff are highly focused on providing excellent service and experiences to those shopping for Christmas trees. We welcome photographers and their clients on these days, to book a session on these dates. Please book a “2023 Holiday Season Hourly Pass” and be aware that the farm is very busy on these dates
There are NO refunds for photography passes. If you must change the date of your pass (bad weather, illness, client issue…) please email photos@hansentreefarm.com with your name, current pass date, and new requested date. We will confirm the new date via email. If you receive a link to modify your booking you may use that directly rather than emailing us.
- Please be respectful of all visitors and customers.
- Fake snow makes a mess and so is a no-no.
- Remove all props when you’re done. If you move our hay bales, logs, wreaths… put them back.
- Do not start a fire! Only tree farm employees may start campfires, though you may add wood to an already burning fire.
- No area may be blocked to customers during a photo shoot. Christmas trees are our business and we accommodate our customers looking for a tree.
- There is plenty of room to park under the large, mature pines. Vehicles are NOT allowed in Christmas tree fields under any circumstances. If you’re shooting in a field and have props, we recommend bringing a wagon or cart.
- Hansen Tree Farm staff are not responsible for directing clients to your specific photo shoot location. From Thanksgiving to Christmas upon entering the farm everyone will get a map and we can answer questions..
- Photographers may arrive up to 30 minutes early to set up, this time will not count towards the time allotted in your permit. You may make a separate visit before your session day to get photos to help advertise your sessions, you will not be charged for this.
- All photographers must get a permit for taking photos at Hansen Tree Farm. This includes professionals (paid in cash/barter or volunteering), serious amateurs, hobbyists and nature photographers. It includes those of you for whom photography is not your primary source of income. It doe NOT include a family member or friend taking snap shots while you are tree shopping/cutting or having fun on the hay ride!
- Purchase a permit before shooting.
• Please be sure your client has your phone number and maybe even what vehicle you're in. Unhappy clients have approached us asking where “their” photographer is! Especially when it is a busy weekend we recommend having a clear plan to find and meet your clients.
• We hope that you are a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and have their liability insurance. It is reasonably priced and makes sense for anyone in the business.
