Puyallup Lupine Fields— Spring Mini Sessions

If you've been looking for the best spot in the Puyallup area for a spring photo shoot, I'm about to let you in on one of my favorite locations — and I am so excited to announce that I'm hosting spring mini sessions there this year! 

Van Lierop Park in Puyallup is tucked right next to Farm 12 on 134th Ave E, and for a few glorious weeks every May and June, it becomes the perfect spot for a family portrait, maternity session or even professional headshots! It's a tall grassy field of wild purple lupine that stretches across 18 acres with Mount Rainier rising behind it on a clear day. It is one of my top 10 favorite spots to photograph in all of Western Washington — and once you see it, you'll understand why.

Why Van Lierop Park Is My Favorite Flower Field Location

The stunning lupine fields at Van Lierop have a dreamy, painterly quality that is impossible to replicate in a studio or a standard park setting. The rich purple blooms contrast beautifully against the lush green stems and the wide open sky. The tall grassy field gives portraits that soft, romantic, editorial feel — like something out of a fairy tale — and the light at golden hour here is absolutely magical.

While the UW Quad gets all the spring photography attention up in Seattle for it's cherry blossoms, Van Lierop sits quietly here in Puyallup as one of the most beautiful flower fields in the region. But what's even better is the fact that it's right here in Pierce County, which makes it incredibly accessible for families in Puyallup, Tacoma, Bonney Lake, and the surrounding area.  The park was originally part of the historic Van Lierop daffodil farm — one of the most beloved flower farms in the Pacific Northwest for generations. Today, the wildflower meadow honors that legacy with a view of Mt.Rainier to boot!

When Do The Lupine Bloom Around Puyallup Washington?

While climate and location play a role in when the lupine actually bloom, historically, those lovely purple blooms spring up around mid May. The temperatures will definitely affect how long they will stay in bloom, as the don't tolerate high heat well. Their bloom window is short-lived, which is why it's important to book your session soon! The lupine at Van Lierop typically hits full bloom in late May — which is the sweet spot I build my sessions around.

By mid June, the pea-shaped seed pods start to mature, eventually turning black before they release their seeds for germination.  The bloom window runs roughly through mid-June, but peak color is usually concentrated in that last week of May and first week of June. I monitor the field closely each spring and schedule sessions to land right at the height of the bloom, so you're not guessing. I only schedule sessions during the true bloom window, and it moves fast. Once the flowers fade, they're gone until next year!

This is also why mini session spots are limited. For 2026, my sessions are $295 and include 10 minutes of shooting as well as 10 digital files!

Who Are the Mini Sessions For?

These 2026 mini sessions are open to everyone — families, couples, and maternity clients are all welcome!
Family photos in grassy fields at golden hour have a magic to them. There's something special about watching kids run through the high grass and bright flowers — laughing, spinning, chasing each other — that creates the most genuine, joyful images.

For maternity sessions, the lupine field is especially dreamy. A growing bump surrounded by swaying purple wildflowers at golden hour is simply dreamy. If you're expecting this summer and wanting something truly stunning, this is it!

What to Wear for a Mini Shoot?

There are lots of options for your mini shoot, but first think about the colors surrounding you and who you’re dressing. As you can see from the photos, you’ll be standing in a green and purple field. The best options for these mini sessions start with neutral colors. Honestly, neutral colors, like tan, ivory, brown and gray, are best for any photo shoot! Additional colors that look great among the lupine include blues, pinks, and even rust or burnt orange accents well with purple!

If you’re dressing your whole family, check out some of these spring inspiration boards or simply start with dresses for mom, and build from that palette. Sometimes dressing everyone at once is overwhelming, so start with one person (I always suggest mom gets first dibs) and then dress others accordingly! I suggest limiting patterns, especially within this field, since there’s already so much visual variety around you.

If you have a baby blooming, check out some maternity outfit ideas that dress mama-to-be as well as the rest of the crew! Most of these outfits can be found on Amazon, which is a easy way to get a handful of outfits to try on and return the ones you don’t love.

Ready to Book Your 2026 Mini Session?

These spots go quickly— especially once the lupine starts blooming and people see the photos. If you've been on the fence, now is the time to grab your spot. While I do have a specific date set for the mini sessions, nature sometimes has it own timeline. If the blooms aren't quite ready, I will push the sessions to the following weekend. It would be best to keep your schedule flexible! 

I would absolutely love to take you to this gorgeous location and create those spring bloom memories. 💜

Mini Session Address:
Van Lierop Park
7999-7529 134th Ave E.
Puyallup, WA 98372

PRICING INFO:
$295 (plus tax)
-10 minute session

-Private online gallery

-10 digital downloads of your choosing

Questions? Reach out anytime — I'd love to chat!