How much does a photographer cost in Apeldoorn?
Family photography in Apeldoorn starts from €250, maternity photography from €250 and couple photoshoots from €180. Engagement photography starts from €300 and wedding photography from €1,500. A heather session on the Veluwe in late August is especially popular, and it may include travel to the heath. The final quote depends on the photographer, the location, how long you book and the date.
Apeldoorn is a green, spread-out city on the Veluwe, and for photos its strengths are on the edges rather than the centre. To the north is Paleis Het Loo, the former royal palace with restored Baroque gardens. To the west, forest, heath and drift sand stretch for kilometres, turning purple when the heather flowers from mid-August to mid-September.
Most people who book a photographer here live in the area or are on holiday on the Veluwe: families, maternity sessions, couples and weddings. Few city tourists come for a shoot. Anyone planning to use Het Loo should know the palace's rules before booking, as they are explained below.
Why photograph in Apeldoorn
The Veluwe
The Veluwe is the country's largest continuous area of forest, heath and drift sand, and Apeldoorn is at its heart. The heath around Hoog Buurlo and the Kootwijkerzand drift sand, about 20 minutes' drive away, look almost nothing like the typical Dutch landscape. For family and maternity sessions, they give space, soft light and a sense of wilderness.
A palace garden, with rules
Paleis Het Loo's restored Baroque gardens, symmetrical parterres, fountains and colonnades, are a spectacular backdrop. The palace allows photos for personal use and wedding photos for personal use in the gardens and on the stable square, with an entry ticket. Commercial recordings are not allowed. Extra lighting, tripods and props are not permitted, and drones are banned. That makes it a place for a short, handheld wedding portrait, not a styled session. Check directly with the palace before you plan anything else there.
Purple in late summer
Heather flowers from about mid-August to mid-September, and it's the one time of year when Apeldoorn gets requests from further afield. Book early for late-August weekends.
Best photography locations in Apeldoorn
Het Loo
Paleis Het Loo gardens
01 · Het Loo
Paleis Het Loo gardens
The formal Baroque gardens behind the former royal palace, restored with symmetrical flowerbeds, box hedges, fountains and colonnades. The palace reopened in 2023 after a major renovation. The gardens are visited with a palace ticket; there is no separate garden ticket.
Best time: Late spring to early autumn, when the beds are planted. Opening time on weekdays for fewer visitors.
Tip: The palace allows wedding photos for personal use in the gardens and on the stable square, but not inside. No extra lighting, tripods or props, no drones, and no commercial recordings. Check the current rules with the palace before booking a photographer here.
West of Apeldoorn
Hoog Buurlo heath
02 · West of Apeldoorn
Hoog Buurlo heath
Open heathland west of the city, with scattered pines and sandy paths. When the heather is in flower it becomes a sea of purple, and the rest of the year it has soft browns and greens. It's quieter than the Posbank near Arnhem.
Best time: Mid-August to mid-September for the heather. Sunrise for mist and soft light.
Tip: Stay on the paths, as heather is fragile. Some areas of the Veluwe restrict access seasonally for wildlife, so follow the signs.
Kootwijk
Kootwijkerzand
03 · Kootwijk
Kootwijkerzand
A large area of drift sand surrounded by forest, about 20 minutes' drive west of Apeldoorn. Open dunes, dead trees and a big sky make it look more like a desert than the Netherlands, a completely unexpected backdrop.
Best time: Early morning or sunset, when shadows show the shapes of the dunes.
Tip: Sand gets hot in summer and windy in autumn. Bring water and a jacket.
Apeldoorn West
Park Berg en Bos
04 · Apeldoorn West
Park Berg en Bos
A large wooded park on the west side of town, with ponds, hills and walking paths. It's the easiest place close to the centre for forest photos, and it is ideal for families with small children.
Best time: Late afternoon, when light comes through the trees. Autumn for colour.
Centrum
Oranjepark
Best time of day
On the heath and the drift sand, sunrise gives mist and far fewer walkers. Sunset gives warmer light but more people. In June, sunset is around 22:00 and sunrise before 5:30. Het Loo is only open during the palace's opening hours, which rules out golden hour for most of the year.
Apeldoorn through the seasons
- Spring
- Fresh green in the forests and the start of the palace garden season. The heath is still brown.
- Summer
- Heather flowers from mid-August to mid-September. It is the busiest season for photo requests, so book early.
- Autumn
- The forests turn gold and red in October. The deer rut on the Veluwe makes early mornings atmospheric, but keep your distance and stay on the paths.
- Winter
- Frost on the heath and bare trees. Short days, with sunset around 16:30, so outdoor sessions happen midday.
Weather and the rain plan
Apeldoorn has inland weather that is slightly cooler than the coast. The forest gives some shelter from light rain, but the open heath and drift sand are fully exposed. In bad weather, agree a backup date with your photographer.
Getting there and around
From Amsterdam, the train takes about an hour, direct or with a change at Amersfoort depending on the service. By car, the A1 takes about an hour. Het Loo is a short bus ride or 30-minute walk from the station. For the heath and Kootwijkerzand, you need a car.
Local rules and etiquette
Paleis Het Loo does not allow commercial recordings. Wedding photos for personal use are allowed in the gardens and on the stable square, handheld only, without extra lighting, tripods or props, and no drones. Check the current rules with the palace before booking. The Veluwe is protected nature: stay on paths, keep dogs on a lead where required, and respect seasonal closures for wildlife.
Popular photoshoots in Apeldoorn
| Photoshoot | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Family Photography | From €250 |
| Maternity Photography | From €250 |
| Couple Photoshoot | From €180 |
| Engagement Photography | From €300 |
| Wedding Photography | From €1,500 |
| Kids Photography | From €200 |
Starting prices are indicative. Your final quote depends on the photographer, duration, location, number of people, date and specific requirements.
Photography in Apeldoorn: questions
Can we do a photoshoot at Paleis Het Loo?
Only within the palace's rules. Photos for personal use are allowed, and wedding photos for personal use are allowed in the gardens and on the stable square, but not inside. No extra lighting, tripods, props or drones, and commercial recordings are not permitted. Everyone needs a palace ticket. Check the current rules with the palace before booking a photographer for a session there.
When is the heather in flower near Apeldoorn?
From about mid-August to mid-September, usually at its best around the last week of August. It varies with the weather each year. Late-August weekends are popular, so send your request early.
How much does a family photoshoot on the Veluwe cost?
Family photography starts from €250. A heath or forest session may include travel from Apeldoorn, which can affect the quote. The final price depends on the photographer, the location and the date.
Is Kootwijkerzand good for photos?
Yes. It's a large area of drift sand with open dunes and forest edges that look almost like a desert. It's about 20 minutes' drive west of Apeldoorn and works best at sunrise or sunset, when shadows bring out the dunes.
Do we need a car for a shoot around Apeldoorn?
For the heath and Kootwijkerzand, yes. Berg en Bos and the Oranjepark are reachable from the centre, and Het Loo is a short bus ride from the station.
