How much does a photographer cost in Scheveningen?
A beach photoshoot in Scheveningen through TulipFrame starts from €180, as does a couple photoshoot. Family photography starts from €250, proposal photography from €350 and maternity photography from €250. Your final quote depends on the photographer, the length of the session, whether it is summer high season on the beach, and the date and sunset time you choose.
Scheveningen is the seaside district of The Hague, and for a photoshoot it is a separate world from the city centre three kilometres inland. What you come for is the wide North Sea beach, the Kurhaus hotel from 1885 on the boulevard, the pier with its Ferris wheel reaching out over the water, and the fishing harbour to the south. The coast faces west, so the sun sets straight into the sea — rare in the Netherlands and the main reason couples book here.
It is also a busy resort. In summer the beach is lined with pavilions and beach clubs and the boulevard is full; in winter most of them are gone and the beach is empty, wide and windy. Which version you want changes when you should book. If you want palaces, avenues and woodland instead, see The Hague.
Why photograph in Scheveningen
A west-facing beach means the sunset lands in the frame, behind you, or as a rim light on hair — whichever the photographer wants. On a clear evening the sky over the North Sea goes orange then pink, and the wet sand at low tide reflects it. The pier and the Ferris wheel give a recognisable silhouette, and the Kurhaus gives you a grand, white 19th-century façade that looks nothing like the rest of Dutch architecture.
Further south, the harbour has fishing boats, the lighthouse and a working-port feel, while the Zuiderstrand beyond it is calmer. North of the pier the Noorderstrand runs into dunes that stay wild. For a seasonal plan and what to wear, see beach photography in Scheveningen.
Best photography locations in Scheveningen
01 · Scheveningen Bad
Kurhaus and the boulevard
The Kurhaus is a white, domed grand hotel from 1885 facing the beach, with a terrace and a wide promenade in front. The boulevard steps down to the sand in terraces, so you get the building, the sea and the sand in one sweep.
Best time: Early morning for an empty boulevard; sunset for the warm light on the white façade.
Tip: The hotel is private; photos are taken from the boulevard and beach. Trams 1 and 9 stop right behind it.
02 · Scheveningen Bad
The Pier and the Ferris wheel
The pier runs out over the sea on concrete legs, with a Ferris wheel at its landward end. From the beach below, the legs make a repeating pattern and the wheel gives the sunset a silhouette; from the top deck you look back along the whole coastline.
Best time: Sunset, photographed from the beach beside or under the pier.
Tip: The pier is due for a major renovation, with plans announced for works starting in 2026 and parts closed while they run. Check current access before planning shots on the deck; the beach view of the pier is always available.
North of the pier
Noorderstrand and the northern dunes
03 · North of the pier
Noorderstrand and the northern dunes
North of the pier the beach gets steadily quieter, with fewer pavilions and dunes rising behind. It is the place for relaxed family sessions and maternity portraits with nothing but sand, grass and sea behind you.
Best time: The last hour before sunset, especially outside July and August.
Tip: Walk 10–15 minutes north from the pier and the crowds thin out considerably, even in summer.
04 · Scheveningen Haven
Scheveningen harbour
The harbour still lands fish and has boat sheds, harbour cranes, seafood restaurants and moored fishing vessels. It is the grittier, more characterful side of Scheveningen and works well for editorial-style couple and solo portraits.
Best time: Late afternoon and blue hour, when the harbour lights come on.
Tip: It is a working port: stay out of loading areas and off boats unless invited. Tram 11 from Den Haag HS ends here.
05 · Near the harbour
Scheveningen lighthouse
The 19th-century lighthouse stands among houses near the harbour entrance. It is a quick, recognisable detail shot to add to a harbour or beach session.
Best time: Any time; best with some sky colour around sunset.
Tip: It is not open to visitors, so photograph it from the street.
South of the harbour
Zuiderstrand
06 · South of the harbour
Zuiderstrand
The beach south of the harbour mouth is broad and much quieter than the main beach, with dunes behind and the harbour pier to the north. It is a good compromise for couples who want sunset over the sea without the resort crowds.
Best time: Sunset in spring and autumn.
Tip: It is exposed; on windy days the dune edge gives some shelter.
07 · Between the city and the beach
Scheveningse Bosjes
A woodland park on old dunes between central The Hague and the coast, with ponds, rolling paths and shelter from the wind. It gives you a green first half of a session before walking out to the beach.
Best time: Mid to late afternoon, followed by sunset on the beach.
Tip: The best windy-day backup near the beach.
Best time of day
Sunset. The beach faces west, so the sun goes down over the North Sea: roughly 22:00 in late June, 20:30 in early September and 16:30 in December. Start about an hour before. Early morning works too, with soft light and an empty beach but the sun behind the Kurhaus.
Scheveningen through the seasons
- Spring
- Beach pavilions start rebuilding from March and are open by spring. Evenings are cool and the light clear; April and May sunsets are around 20:30–21:30.
- Summer
- Full beach season: pavilions, beach clubs and crowds, especially near the pier and the Kurhaus. Walk north or go south of the harbour for space. The fireworks festival usually lights up the beach in August.
- Autumn
- Most pavilions come down from late October so wind can move sand onto the dunes. September is often the best month: warm sea air, fewer people and earlier sunsets.
- Winter
- The beach is empty except near the harbour, where a few pavilions are allowed to stay all year. Wind and cold are serious; short, well-planned sessions work best.
Weather and the rain plan
Wind is the defining condition. Onshore breezes blow hair and dresses across faces and whip up sand; a few days a year it is simply too strong for a shoot. Photographers work with it by shooting so the wind is behind the subject, and by using the dune edges, the Kurhaus terraces or the Scheveningse Bosjes for shelter. Rain showers blow through quickly on the coast, and a squall followed by clearing sky is often the best light of the day. Bring a warm layer for everyone, even in summer.
Getting there and around
Trams 1 and 9 run from central The Hague (tram 9 from Den Haag Centraal) to the Kurhaus end of the boulevard in about 15–20 minutes; tram 11 runs from Den Haag HS to the harbour. From Amsterdam, take the train to Den Haag Centraal (about 50 minutes) and the tram from there. Parking along the boulevard is paid and fills up on warm days.
Local rules and etiquette
Beach rules, dog rules and beach-pavilion policies vary by section and season; check signs on the day. Beach clubs and hotels are private — ask before photographing on their terraces or furniture. Drones are restricted along much of this coast, so do not assume aerial shots are possible.
Popular photoshoots in Scheveningen
| Photoshoot | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Scheveningen Beach Photographer | From €180 |
| Couple Photoshoot | From €180 |
| Proposal Photography | From €350 |
| Family Photography | From €250 |
| Maternity Photography | From €250 |
| Engagement Photography | From €300 |
Starting prices are indicative. Your final quote depends on the photographer, duration, location, number of people, date and specific requirements.
Photography in Scheveningen: questions
How much is a beach photoshoot in Scheveningen?
Through TulipFrame, a beach photoshoot in Scheveningen starts from €180. Family sessions start from €250 and proposals from €350. The final quote depends on the photographer, session length and date. See beach photography in Scheveningen.
What time is sunset in Scheveningen?
Around 22:00 in late June, about 20:30 in early September and about 16:30 in December. Because the beach faces west, the sun sets over the sea. Your photographer will plan the start time from the exact sunset on your date.
Are the beach clubs open all year?
No. Most Scheveningen beach pavilions are rebuilt from March and taken down from late October. A few near the harbour may stay all year. If you want the beach-club look, book between April and September.
Is the Scheveningen Pier open for photos?
The pier is scheduled for a large renovation, with works announced to start in 2026 and a phased reopening, so access to the deck may be limited. The pier is still a strong backdrop from the beach. Check the current status before your date.
What if it is too windy on the day?
Photographers usually move to the shelter of the dunes or the Scheveningse Bosjes and shoot on the open beach in short bursts. If a storm is forecast, most will offer to reschedule. It is worth agreeing a backup date when you book.
Is Scheveningen part of The Hague?
Yes, it is a district of The Hague, about 15–20 minutes by tram from the centre. Many sessions combine a park or avenue in The Hague with sunset on the beach here.
