Apple blossom season is one of the shortest and most beautiful windows of the whole year in West Michigan. For a few days each spring, the orchards just outside Grand Rapids turn soft and white, and there is nothing else like it for family photos.
This spring I met the Pham-Le family at Robinette’s for an apple blossom session, and it’s a great example of why these sessions are so special and why they take a little planning (and flexibility) to pull off.
Apple blossom family photos at Robinette’s
Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery on 4 Mile Road NE has been a family-owned orchard since 1911, and it’s just a few minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. With rows and rows of fruit trees, it’s one of my favorite spots for spring family photos. The long grassy rows make it easy to get those walking, hand-holding photos, and the low branches frame little ones perfectly.
Robinette’s does charge a fee for photo sessions on their property, so I always plan for that with my families ahead of time.
Apple blossoms vs. peach blossoms
A lot of people don’t realize that the orchard blooms in stages. The apple blossoms are the white ones, and the pink trees you see are actually the peach trees. They don’t always bloom at the same time, and each one only lasts a short while.
The pink peach blossoms are just as dreamy. Here are a few from another spring session I photographed in the peach trees, so you can see the difference.
That’s what makes apple blossoms so hard to capture. The bloom depends completely on the weather that spring. It usually lands somewhere between late April and mid-May, but a warm week can bring the blossoms out early, and wind or rain can knock them down just as fast. Once the trees are in full bloom, you often have only a few days before the petals start to fall.
How I plan an apple blossom session
I watch the season closely. Starting in April, I keep an eye on the orchard and the forecast so I know when the trees are getting close.
We stay flexible. Instead of booking a set date months out, I hold a window and we pick the exact day once the blossoms open. Sometimes that means moving things around on short notice, but it’s worth it.
Have a backup plan. If the apple blossoms aren’t quite ready or have already dropped, the pink peach blossoms or fresh spring green can still make for beautiful photos.
Go for soft light. I love the white blossoms on an overcast day or in the evening, when the light is soft and the petals almost glow.
What to wear for apple blossom photos
Soft, light colors look dreamy against the white blossoms. Creams, blush, butter yellow, light denim and soft florals all work well, just like the Pham-Le family wore. Little ones look adorable in tulle or a twirly dress, and comfortable shoes are a good idea since the orchard rows are grass and dirt.
Book your spring family session
Apple blossom sessions are limited each year because the bloom is so short, so if you’d love one, reach out early and I’ll add you to my list to plan around the season. You can see more of my work on my portraits page, and when you’re ready, reach out here.
Now booking family sessions!
