Shooting in NL
The best month to shoot in the Netherlands depends on the look you want. Summer gives you long days and a good chance of blue skies. The rest of the year gives you the soft, overcast light that Dutch painters made famous.
Daylight per month in Amsterdam
| Month | Daylight |
|---|---|
| January | 8 h 10 |
| February | 9 h 50 |
| March | 11 h 45 |
| April | 13 h 45 |
| May | 15 h 30 |
| June | 16 h 45 |
| July | 16 h 20 |
| August | 14 h 40 |
| September | 12 h 40 |
| October | 10 h 40 |
| November | 8 h 50 |
| December | 7 h 45 |
The seasons
Spring (March to May)
Fresh green, the tulip fields in April and early May, and days getting long quickly. Weather can change within the hour.
Summer (June to August)
The longest days, with sunset after 10 pm in June. Most clear days of the year, and the busiest time for locations and crews, so book early.
Autumn (September to November)
Golden forests on the Veluwe, low sun, moody skies. More rain and wind towards November.
Winter (December to February)
Shorter days and soft grey light. Frost and snow are possible but not reliable, so do not build a script on them.
Why the light works
Cloudy days give soft, diffused light without harsh shadows, so you need fewer lights and can shoot longer without the light changing much. It is the same light you see in Dutch paintings, and it flatters skin and products.
Plan for the weather
It's always smart to have a weather cover option.
- An interior
- A studio
- A flexible day
We can build that into the schedule and watch the forecast with you in the days before the shoot.
Send us your dates→Questions
For long days, May to August: around the end of June, Amsterdam has almost 17 hours of daylight, against less than 8 in December. Autumn and winter suit moody, overcast looks, and the light is soft for most of the year.