Amsterdam or a little further?

Amsterdam has plenty of beautiful places for a photoshoot, but sometimes it’s worth getting out of the city. The Netherlands has windmills, wide beaches, sand dunes, castles, historic towns and gardens that feel completely different from Amsterdam’s canals and narrow streets.

I photograph both couples and individuals outside the city. Sometimes we go somewhere for a particular atmosphere, sometimes a location has personal meaning, and sometimes it’s simply about finding a place where you can slow down and enjoy the session without crowds around you.

I usually prefer locations within a 30–40-minute drive, although I’m happy to travel further for the right place and the right idea. Below are some locations where I’ve actually photographed, along with a few stories and practical things worth knowing before you go.

If you’re planning to stay in the city, you can read my guide to the best places for couple photos in Amsterdam. And if you’re looking for something a little different within Amsterdam itself, I’ve also written about unique photoshoot locations beyond the canals.

Two women embrace beside a stone fountain in a landscaped garden with vine-covered pillars and bright orange flower beds. De Haar

Woman in a flowing golden robe walks along a stone path in a serene Japanese botanic garden with pink blossoms in the foreground.

Two people sit together on a sandy beach at sunset, casting long shadows as golden sunlight glows over the calm ocean horizon. Netherlands

Zaanse Schans: windmills without the crowds

Zaanse Schans is one of those places that feels unmistakably Dutch. Traditional windmills, wooden houses, green landscapes and water make it a beautiful setting for both couple and individual photography.

I’ve photographed a secret marriage proposal there, as well as individual photoshoots. It’s a very atmospheric location, but timing makes a real difference.

During the day, tour buses bring plenty of visitors, and the popular areas can get crowded. I recommend arriving after 16:00, when much of the tourist traffic starts to leave. After 17:00, when the shops and museums close, the atmosphere becomes much quieter. That’s usually the time I’d aim for.

The later afternoon also gives us time to walk around and find different backgrounds without rushing from one spot to another. As with any outdoor session, the exact light depends on the season and the weather.

If you’re planning a proposal here, it’s worth thinking about the timing and how to keep the moment private. You can also read my advice on the best time of day for a photoshoot.

Woman in a wide-brimmed hat standing on a wooden pier by a calm lake with traditional Dutch windmills in the misty background. Zaanse Schans

Couple in plaid shirt and black jacket kiss on a brick path lined with greenery, lampposts and a wooden fence in a charming Zaanse Schanse.

Woman in a white dress with curly hair stands in a grassy field at golden hour sunset with a windmill in the background, Zaanse Schans

The coast: beach and dunes near Noordwijk

The Dutch coast is one of my favourite options for couples and individual portraits when we want space, nature and a completely different look from the city. I’ve photographed quite a few sessions around the beach at Nederzandt, near Langevelderslag and Noordwijk.

What I love about this area is that the beach and the dunes feel like two different locations, even though we can walk between them. The beach gives us open space, the sea and beautiful sunsets over the water. The dunes offer a more sheltered landscape, with grasses, sandy paths and a softer, more natural feel.

Some people choose two outfits: one for the beach and another for the dunes. It’s a lovely way to create variety in the gallery without having to drive somewhere else between locations.

There is one thing to keep in mind: the wind. It’s often windy by the sea, and sometimes it can be strong enough to make standing still or managing your hair a challenge. The dunes are usually more sheltered. I’ve photographed sessions in quite strong winds, so it’s absolutely possible, but I recommend keeping your styling practical. A complicated hairstyle that looks perfect indoors may not be the best choice for a windy beach.

The other advantage is the sunset. In Amsterdam, the sun often disappears behind buildings before it reaches the horizon. At the coast, we can sometimes photograph the actual sunset over the sea, depending on the weather.

You can see how these sessions look in Nadine’s seaside photoshoot and a romantic couple photoshoot by the Dutch seaside.

Woman in a flowing tan dress walks barefoot along a wide, empty sandy beach beside the sea under a soft, hazy gray sky, beach at Nederzandt

Couple embracing tenderly on sandy coastal dunes with green shrubs, a romantic outdoor engagement photo session by the sea, Netherlands

Black and white photo of a woman in a dark dress and draped headscarf glancing over her shoulder on a windswept beach under a cloudy sky.

Castles and gardens in Lisse: Kasteel Keukenhof and Huys Dever

Lisse is a lovely option if you want historic architecture and greenery without travelling too far from Amsterdam. Two places I’ve photographed at are Kasteel Keukenhof and Huys Dever.

I’ve photographed proposals, couples and individual portraits at Kasteel Keukenhof and in its gardens. The grounds give us a combination of historic architecture and green surroundings, and there’s usually plenty of room to move around during a session. Another practical advantage is that parking is free.

Huys Dever is smaller and less well known among tourists, which is part of its charm. I photographed Kate and Max there one summer, and I remember how peaceful it was. We had the place almost entirely to ourselves.

The grounds are well kept, with a pond, a small garden, views of the old castle tower and an old bridge. During tulip season, you may also see tulip fields in the surrounding area.

With Kate and Max, we didn’t just take traditional couple portraits. We had fun experimenting and trying a few less conventional compositions: their legs pointing upwards along an old brick wall, a playful frame using the chain swing on the old bridge, and close-up kisses. Those little variations made the gallery feel personal rather than like a collection of standard portraits.

I like locations where couples can relax and interact naturally instead of feeling that they have to pose perfectly all the time. Huys Dever works especially well for that.

And if you’re interested in combining a castle with a beach, I once photographed a proposal at Kasteel Keukenhof before heading to the coast afterwards. The drive to the beach took around 15 minutes.

For more ideas, see my guide to castle proposals near Amsterdam.

Two people sit on gravel leaning against a large weathered red brick wall, Lisse, Huys Dever

Two people laugh together while swinging on a chain-hung zip line in a sunny garden with brick paths, green trees. Huys Dever

Shirtless bearded man and blonde woman in light jeans embrace face to face in a sunlit green park, Lisse, Huys Dever.

Kasteel de Haar

Kasteel de Haar is a different kind of castle experience. It’s an impressive historic estate, with grand architecture and extensive gardens. I’ve photographed there, and it can be a beautiful choice for couples who want their photos to have a more classic, almost fairytale-like atmosphere.

Unlike the locations in Lisse mentioned above, entrance and parking here are paid, so it’s worth including those costs in your plans. It’s also sensible to check the current visitor information before choosing a date, as access and opening arrangements can affect where and when we can photograph.

If you’re considering a castle photoshoot, I’ve broken down what entrance tickets and parking cost in a separate guide.

Couple kissing on a brick path beside a red and white railing, with a historic brick church and large tree in the background. De Haar

Couple embracing on a stone arch bridge over calm water beside a historic brick castle De Haar with towers and a church spire.

Couple embracing and gazing into the distance beneath a shaded green garden pergola with dappled sunlight on a gravel path. De Haar

Utrecht and Leiden: canal cities without the crowds

If you love Amsterdam’s canals and historic streets but would like a change of scenery, Utrecht and Leiden are both worth considering.

I’ve photographed secret proposals in both cities. They have their own character, with canals, old buildings and streets that are lovely to explore on foot. You can still get that classic Dutch city atmosphere, but the experience feels different from photographing in Amsterdam.

These cities work well when you want a mix of architectural backgrounds and a relaxed walk. Rather than spending the entire session in one place, we can move through the city and stop whenever we find a setting that suits you.

We can discuss which city fits your plans better, depending on where you’re staying, what kind of photographs you like and how much time we have.

Couple walking hand in hand across a cobblestone bridge near historic white and red brick Dutch canal houses on a sunny day. Leiden

Couple embracing and about to kiss on a riverside bridge with historic buildings, trees and calm water in the background, Leiden

Man in casual clothes kneels on one knee proposing to a woman in a black dress beside a canal railing lined with flowers and trees. Leiden

The Hague

The Hague is connected to a very special story for me. One of the first people I got to know after moving to the Netherlands was a singer and actress. I photographed her, and her band, several times over the years — and then she invited me to photograph her wedding.

It was a beautiful ceremony, followed by a warm family celebration at home. Later, the two of them and I went for a walk around their neighbourhood for a few quiet photographs of the two of them.

It’s one of those sessions that reminds me why I love what I do: sometimes a photoshoot becomes the start of a story that continues for years.

Newlyweds outside the Old City Hall (Oude Raadhuis) in The Hague city centre after their wedding ceremony

Black and white photo of a bride in a lace top holding a bouquet behind her back as she embraces a groom in a suit outdoors. The Hague

Smiling friends raise champagne glasses in a toast at an outdoor garden party surrounded by lush green foliage.

Den Bosch

Den Bosch, officially ’s-Hertogenbosch, is another city where I’ve photographed a couple. Elina and Valentin’s session there became a cinematic love story, with the city itself forming part of the atmosphere.

I like that a photoshoot in a city such as Den Bosch doesn’t have to feel like a checklist of famous landmarks. We can explore, walk together and use the surroundings as they naturally appear, creating a gallery that feels connected to the experience rather than staged at every stop.

You can see more from this session in Elina and Valentin’s love story in Den Bosch.

Couple embracing in front of an ornate wooden storefront with arched glass doors and large windows on a quiet city street. Den Bosch

Black and white photo of a couple embracing beside a vintage Volkswagen camper van parked on a cobblestone street Den Bosch

Two people sit close together on a wooden dock beside a canal, with a stone arch bridge and historic buildings in the background. Den Bosch

Further afield: a Chinese garden near Groningen

Not every photoshoot has to happen close to Amsterdam. One of my more unusual individual sessions took me to Hortus Haren, a botanical garden near Groningen with a Chinese garden.

It was a longer drive than I’d usually choose, but the location had a special meaning for my client. She loved Chinese culture and even had a kimono, so we decided to make the trip and create something that suited her interests.

I was curious about the place myself, and it turned out to be a very interesting experience. The Chinese garden gave us a distinctive setting that was quite different from the Dutch city streets and coastal landscapes I photograph more often.

For me, that’s a good reason to travel further: not simply to visit somewhere famous, but to find a place that connects with the person in front of my camera. When a location reflects someone’s interests or personality, it can make the photographs feel much more personal.

The journey was arranged as part of the booking, with the client covering the travel costs.

Woman in a kimono in the Chinese garden at Hortus Haren near Groningen

Vintage sepia photograph Individual portrait in the Chinese garden at Hortus Haren, Groningen.

Woman in a yellow dress sits in Traditional pavilion at the pond in the Chinese garden at Hortus Haren.

Getting there and travel costs

For locations outside Amsterdam, travel is something we’ll discuss when planning the session.

Sometimes we travel together, but if I haven’t met the clients before, I generally prefer to drive separately. Most clients make their own way to the location, whether by Uber, a rental car or their own vehicle.

I charge travel separately at €0.30 per kilometre for the round trip. Parking, entrance tickets and any other location-specific fees are also additional where applicable.

For a session by the sea near Noordwijk, travel and parking usually come to around €15–20. The exact amount depends on the starting point and parking arrangements.

For castles and gardens, check whether tickets or parking need to be booked in advance. Some places, such as Kasteel Keukenhof and Huys Dever, have free parking, while others charge for entry and parking.

If you have a location in mind that’s further away, just let me know. We can discuss the travel arrangements before deciding whether it makes sense for your photoshoot.

Weather outside the city

The weather matters just as much outside Amsterdam as it does in the city, but there are a few extra things to consider.

Before the session, I keep an eye on the forecast. If the weather looks uncertain, we can sometimes shift the time to give ourselves a better chance of photographing in dry conditions. That depends on our schedules and the location.

At the coast, wind is often just as important as rain. The beach can be much more exposed than the city, while the dunes usually offer a little more shelter. I take that into account when planning the session and choosing where to spend our time.

Light drizzle doesn’t necessarily mean we need to cancel. Sometimes the weather changes quickly, and wet sand or streets can add an interesting atmosphere to photographs. If heavy rain is expected, we’ll discuss the options and decide what makes the most sense.

Planning a photoshoot outside Amsterdam?

You don’t need to arrive with a complete plan or know exactly where every photograph should be taken. Tell me what you’re drawn to: windmills, the sea, dunes, historic architecture, gardens or the streets of a smaller Dutch city. We can choose a location that suits your idea, the time of year and how far you’d like to travel.

I photograph both couples and individuals, so the session can be built around your relationship, your personality or simply the kind of photographs you’d love to have.

You can find more information about my couple photoshoots and individual photoshoots.

The contact form is below this article. You can also message me on WhatsApp if that’s easier.

And if you’d like to hear from people who’ve worked with me, you can read my ★ 5.0 from 60+ Google reviews.

I look forward to planning a photoshoot somewhere beyond Amsterdam with you!