10 useful tips for Planning a Holiday photoshoot in the Netherlands

For a holiday photoshoot in the Netherlands, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a location or typical Dutch background. There are some obvious choices, but also a few that you may not have thought of. Also, other factors such as the weather, the season and depending on who is in the photoshoot may determine where you want to go. here are some of our favourite spots.

Holiday photoshoot locations in the Netherlands

 

Kinderdijk – This is a great location for a holiday photoshoot with windmills and is lesser known than Zaanse Schans. This usually means less crowds. I also feel like you can get more windmills into your background here if you are willing to walk a little. But both Kinderdijk and Zaanse Schans are excellent locations for a photoshoot with windmills in your background.

Utrecht Oudegracht is a picturesque area, especially around sunset and into the blue hour it’s a perfect spot for a romantic photoshoot with twinkling lights on the water. But equally, it will give you the same feeling as the bicycle-lined canals in Amsterdam with the red and purple flowers that are an iconic Dutch symbol.

 

The Cherry Blossoms in Amsterdamse Bos is also a great location and time to do a photoshoot – but you really need to do the photoshoot super early in the morning if you don’t want other people in your backgrounds, and the season is also really short and unpredictable. There are also cherry blossoms in utrecht Leidsche rijn .

Utrechtse Heuvelrug is also one of my favourite locations to do a holiday photoshoot and is possible any time of year – there are many options from tall trees to beach sand and mostly it is completely free with some exceptions such as the beautiful Henschotermeer – which is worth the entrance fee and getting permission if you would like this type of photoshoot.

The Tulip Barn is a great location for photos in the Tulip fields that is responsible, ie this location is specifically for photos with the tulips, there is an entrance fee, but there are plenty of options. Many fields are not accessible during tulip season, which is very short, because too many people destroy the flowers or walk between the rows when they are not allowed to. If you are considering this option please remember to be respectful and get permission where required. or use a location like Tulip Barn which is specifically for photoshoots and you will be supporting local tourism.

 

So here is the tricky part – determining whether the photoshoot you have planned is actually going to be possible among all the other plans you have! There are a few things you need to consider, so here is our advice so as not to be disappointed

Top tips for planning your holiday photoshoot in the netherlands

1. Stay flexible and try to keep a few possible dates open for the holiday photoshoot – the weather can be really unpredictable here, and plans often need to change quite quickly. Also embrace the weather – as any Dutchie will tell you -its just a little rain! And sometimes rain makes the best photos. When in the Netherlands …
2. check the sunset  (or in some cases sunrise) times to make sure when you need to book your photoshoot with your photographer – Generally, an hour before sunset is the best time, but this also depends on where you will do the shoot. For instance, like I mentioned before the blue hour is an amazing time to have photos on the Oudegracht in Utrecht. However this does not mean you can’t have the photos any time of day, but discuss the best options with your photographer.
3. Consider the season you are travelling in – If you are counting on tulips, or cherry blossoms you need to pay close attention to when these will be and work around them. But every season in the Netherlands has something amazing to offer, from many wildflowers in summer to the reds and oranges of autumn, to the holiday vibe of Christmas and the possibility of snow.  My advice is to embrace the season you are travelling in and research what happens in each season – you might be surprised…
4. In addition, check that the location you have decided to use does not have any regulations, or require any permission for a photoshoot. For instance Henschotermeer and Kinderdijk from the list above , both require permission, As do certain areas in the tulip fields.
5. Also, consider how you will be getting to your photoshoot location,  and the crowds, especially if this is a seasonal photoshoot. There is good connections generally with bus, bicycle and other public transport. Parking is mostly limited , and can be pricey in areas such as Zaanse schans or in the city of Utrecht or Amsterdam. So be sure to plan in advance as to how you will get there and where to meet your photographer.