Skagit Tulip Festival Photo Tours 2016

Guest Post by Andy Porter

Each spring the flats of Skagit Valley are alive with the vibrant, multi-colored tapestry of tulips and daffodils. There is really nothing to compare to the sight of (seemingly) endless fields of tulips under the wonderful skies of Skagit County during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Make sure to visit my online Tulip Photo Gallery where you can purchase Canvas Wrapped and Fine Art Prints of all sizes and frame options as well as purchase digital rights to use the images online and join us for the Tulip Festival Photography Tours!

Bloom Dates

Every year is different. Last year the Daffodils bloomed in mid-February! It looked like all of the tulips would be gone by the and of March, but cooler weather arrived and the Tulip Season lasted until mid-April.

As February approaches I will have a good idea of bloom dates, but the general rule is Daffodils bloom in March and Tulips in April. The best time to plan a visit is near the beginning of April.

The fields of flowers are spread out over a large area encompassing parts of the towns of La Conner and Mount Vernon, Washington. Tulip and Daffodil fields are rotated regularly and each year the precise location of the flowery fields changes.

There are two tulip festival ‘tourist centers’: Rozengaarde and Tulip Town. Both of these provide tons of free parking and have both beautiful manicured multi-colored tulip beds (complete with wind mills, ponds and other back drops) as well as huge fields of tulips to wander in. Each also has a huge shop where you can purchase any and all things tulip related: postcards, prints (both large and small) cups, mugs, place mats, and literally hundreds of wonderful gifts. And of course you can always get bundles of freshly cut tulips, daffodils and Irises as well as buy bulbs for planting!

In addition to these two main hubs of tourist activity, the tulip growers also have huge fields here and there through the nearby area, like bright quilt squares. The growers provide a Bloom Map each year showing the locations of these fields, which flowers are growing there, and updates the map regularly so that anyone can see which fields are blooming.

Andy Porter Guided Skagit Tulip Festival Photography Tours

Living here in Skagit Valley not far from Tulip Heaven I am able to visit the tulip fields every day. As tulip season gets started I head out to scout the new year’s tulip and daffodil field locations and plan where are the best spots (and times, mornings or evenings) for capturing fabulous images.

The best time of day to visit the tulip fields is early morning or late afternoon. The low light and clouds offer some incredible back drops for the flowers.

Evening – Sunset Tulip Tour

This tour is available every day, 7 days a week, every week that the flowers are blooming. The tour starts at 4pm and ends at 9pm. (Note: the times and itinerary are always up for change, depending on your preferences!)

Itinerary:

4:00 – Meet at Skagit Food Coop, relax, discuss photo techniques.

4:30 – Begin our photo tour at either of the two main Tulip Tourist centers (Optional)

5:00 – Drive out to several of the year’s best locations to get great evening shots of the flowers at sunset.

8:30 – Head out for a bite to eat and a review of images and tips on editing.

Cost: $150 per person Note: Each tour is limited to no more than 5 people

Early Morning – Sunrise Tulip Tour

This tour is available every day, 7 days a week, every week that the flowers are blooming. The tour starts at 5am and ends at 10am. (Note: the times and itinerary are always up for change, depending on your preferences!)

Itinerary:

5:00 am – Meet at Starbucks for coffee/tea and to discuss photo techniques.

5:30 am – Drive to several of the year’s best locations to get great morning shots of the flowers at sunrise.

9:00 am – Head out for a bite to eat and a review of images and tips on editing.

Cost: $150 per person Note: Each tour is limited to no more than 5 people

Tulip Festival Photography Tours Planning

Weather

Skagit Valley Weather in the spring is…unpredictable. We can have snow, rain and sun, all in the same afternoon! Some days are gray and overcast, others with totally blue skies, but most often we will have a mix, throughout the day of clouds and sky. Rain is common. I have often seen days where it rained hard all day long, and in the late afternoon partially cleared into the most fantastic skies.

Red Tulips in the Morning

What to bring

Camera, lenses, filters, a tripod, extra batteries and memory cards.
Water, snacks and any other food/beverages.

What to wear

Plan to get dirty and muddy! The tulip fields are most always moist and often very wet. Wear pants and shoes that you are happy if they are covered in mud! Bring layers of clothing, sunrise and sunset can get cool quickly. Don’t forget a hat and gloves!

Feel free to call or email with ANY questions. 360-809-0661 andyporterphotography@gmail.com