You might have heard of the famous tulip festival in Mt. Vernon, Washington—the spot where both locals and tourists flock every April. There’s a lot to take in, and the endless rows of colorful blooms make it a beautiful location for your next photo session. Here’s everything you need to know about having photos taken in the tulip fields.

motherhood session at yellow and pink tulips at Mt Vernon, Washington

How to avoid busyness at the tulip festival I Skagit county

You can probably imagine that tulip festivals get really busy. But if you're hoping for a calm, beautiful photo session without the crowds, here are a few tips to make it work:

Consider the daffodils instead.
Bright yellow, full of charm, and often overlooked—daffodils are beautiful in photos and bloom earlier, typically in March. Hardly anyone visits the daffodil fields, and there's no entrance fee.
Book your tulip session on a weekday.
The most popular gardens are packed on weekends—so busy that parking can turn into a challenge. Weekdays are your best bet.
Choose a smaller, less popular field.
You don’t need endless rows of tulips to get stunning images. A quieter spot can offer just as much beauty without the stress. If you're not sure where to go, ask your photographer.

What to wear for my tulip festival family photo shoot

For your family session in the tulip fields, you should follow the general rules of what to wear for a photo shoot. If you need to learn more about what works well, go ahead and read my blog post that has all the details about session outfits.

Here are a few extra details for your tulip session styling:

It can be chilly.
Spring in the PNW can be pretty chilly, and the winds out on the fields can be intense, so please layer up.
Add some color.
I do love neutral tones of clothing for sessions, but tulip fields bring so much color. Try to complement the tulips and pick one pop of color or one floral pattern for one member of your family (mom or a little girl). Pastel colors, pinks, and greens will look gorgeous, and we can look for the right color of flowers to complement your outfits. Avoid navy blue and black that are too harsh for an environment like this.
If you prefer neutral clothing, off-white, cream, and brown will look great too!!!
Accessories:
Bring a little woven basket for young girls, or purchase a bouquet of tulips at the location.
Don’t forget that it can be a little wet and muddy.
We are still in Washington, and the ground most likely won’t be too dry, so pick appropriate shoes. Cute rain boots for little kids can be a great option.

Last details you need to know before you book your tulip photo shoot

Purchase your garden ticket in advance .
You don’t want to cut into your session time by standing in line at the ticket office.
Arrive with enough time to walk to the location.
Some gardens require a bit of walking from the parking area, so plan ahead to avoid feeling rushed.
Don’t worry too much about the weather.
Photos on a gloomy day still look beautiful, especially with all the color from the flowers. Most gardens close before golden hour anyway.
If you want photos during golden hour (which I recommend),
Choose one of the smaller, non-commercial tulip fields that allow more flexibility.
Have fun and connect with your loved ones.
That’s the key to creating a gallery that feels natural, joyful, and photo-book worthy.