Gorgeous Tulip Time Festival Couples Photography in Holland, Michigan

Visiting the Gorgeous Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan for Couples Photography is probably the most popular things for a Michigan photographer to do! In late April and early May, celebrations of spring as tulips bloom around each corner can be a fun way to enjoy the end of winter.

After hearing about the Tulip Time Festival for years, I decided it was time to visit it myself. I reached out to a friend to see if they knew of a couple who would be interested in coming along for a mini-styled shoot and got connected with Katy & Mark! Getting to know them was such a joy as they’re the kindest people ever and were up for just exploring the city of Holland together (as a side note, we wrapped up our time together eating at GROW Cafe + Bistro which was delicious so definitely a recommendation!)

We started our adventure at Window by the Waterfront as parking was easier to find on the outskirts of Holland. While there weren't any tulips along the path of the river, the blooming trees made for a beautiful backdrop.

Next we headed towards Windmill Island Gardens. With around 150,000 blooms, there’s so many colors of tulips to enjoy. In addition to a real Dutch Windmill, there is an antique carousel & street organ, and a souvenir shop which includes their famous cheese. Entrance per person is $12.

Parking can be a challenge as the lot will close once it has reached capacity, however the Gardens do run buses to help ferry people in and out of the park from the city entrance. We ended up having to park about a mile from this pick-up spot due to the crowds so be prepared for a walk even before you reach the gardens.

If you’re able, visit Holland on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Although there are more food trucks and attractions open on the weekend, it can be hard to enjoy the flowers when the fields are covered with people. If I went back for a future session, I would choose a weekday to ensure a more quiet and intimate setting for the clients.

Another tulip farm to visit in Holland, Michigan Veldheer Tulip Garden. Like Windmill Island Gardens, you’ll experience rows and rows of tulips with over 5 million tulips! Entrance per person is $15. If you’re looking for free options, you can also check out Tulip Lane, a section of Holland that has tulips that line the streets, or Centennial Park.