What You Need to Know Before Booking
Every year around spring my inbox fills up with the questions asking if the tulips are out yet.
Short answer.. sometimes yes, sometimes no, and sometimes they show up early just to keep us all very stressed.
If you are thinking about booking a tulip photoshoot in the Netherlands, here is what you actually need to know before you plan your whole life around it.
First things first… A bit about me
I’m Jorietha Rabie, a South African photographer living in Woerden, the Netherlands.
I photograph families and couples all over the Netherlands. My shoots are relaxed, a little bit chaotic sometimes and focused on real moments.
If your kids don’t sit still, perfect. Mine don’t either!
When is the best time for a tulip photoshoot?
Well, it depends on the weather. And yes, that’s not so helpful, I know, but generally the tulip season runs from about the second week of April until the first week of May. That’s your best chance of getting full fields and nice colours.
Some years it starts earlier and some years later. I keep an eye on it so you don’t have to panic-Google “tulips Netherlands bloom” every day.
Can you just walk into a tulip field?
No. Please do not do that.
Most of the tulip fields are private farmland and farmers are not growing those flowers for Instagram.
So if you’ve seen photos of people standing deep in the fields, just know that:
- It’s usually not allowed
- It can damage the crops
- You can spread diseases to the flowers
- This can cost farmers a lot of money every year.
I do my tulip shoos at The Tulip Barn in Hillegom where we can shoot legally and still get that “surrounded by tulips” look without causing problems.
What time of day is best?
Not midday. I repeat, not midday.
I shoot early mornings or evenings, preferably golden hour, but those spots are limited and usually fill up fast.
Why? Because the light is softer and you won’t be squinting into the sun while I pretend that you look “natural”. Also, fewer people.
If it’s a cloudy day, I can be a bit more flexible because then the clouds act like a giant soft-box over the sun.
What should you wear?
Don’t overthink it. Remember, the tulips are already very loud, so your outfit doesn’t have to compete.
Go for neutrals and soft colours. Less is definitely more. Please avoid neon anything, big logos and busy patterns.
If you’re not sure, you can send me your options and I will tell you the truth.
What do we do if it rains?
Welcome to the Netherlands!
We either reschedule if possible, adjust the time, or just shoot in the rain if it’s not too bad.
How far in advance should you book?
As early as you can.
Tulip season is short, exact timing is unpredictable and I only take a limited number of sessions during that time. Once it’s full, it’s full.
Last minute spots do sometimes open up, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Want to book a tulip photoshoot?
If you’re thinking about it, don’t wait until the tulips are already on Instagram and fully booked everywhere.
Contact me and we will plan something that works with the season, the weather and your family.
