The Day We Went to Holland Without Leaving Oregon

When Katharine was recovering from surgery, she did what many creative people do when life forces them to slow down: she started imagining adventures. Before long, those daydreams had grown into an entire imaginary world tour—complete with destinations, costumes, props, stories, and, of course, Newfoundland dogs. So when she told me she wanted to bring that world tour to life through photographs, I did what any reasonable photographer would do.

I said yes. Immediately.

It Started With an Idea

One of the things I love most about Katharine is her willingness to embrace imagination completely.

The plan wasn't simply to take photographs in a tulip field. The plan was to visit Holland. There would be costumes. There would be props. There would be travelers. There would be stories. And somehow there would also be Newfoundland dogs. Naturally.

Before our Holland adventure even began, Katharine had assembled a collection of treasures worthy of an international expedition.

A vintage map of Holland.
A Dutch flag.
Traditional wooden shoes.
Beautiful Delft-inspired fabrics.
A basket of tulips.
And, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to throw herself completely into the idea and have fun with it.

I admire that.

Sunrise in the Tulip Fields

Our destination was Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.

To create the illusion that we'd somehow crossed an ocean overnight, we needed the tulip fields before the crowds arrived.

Which meant sunrise.

I have a complicated relationship with sunrise. The photographs are beautiful. The alarm clock is less beautiful.

Still, there is something magical about arriving while the world is quiet.

For a moment it really did feel like we had stepped into another place entirely.

Ooset Understands Her Assignment

Every great adventure needs a leading lady.

Ooset understood the assignment immediately. She wore a Dutch bonnet. She sat patiently among the flowers. She accepted admiration from complete strangers.

She posed as though she had spent years preparing for international travel photography.

At one point she peeked through a sea of tulips with only her eyes visible above the blooms.

The Unsung Hero

Every adventure also needs someone carrying props.

For Holland, that honor belonged to Stephen.

Photographers know there is always a person behind the scenes making everything work.

Holding things. Finding things. Carrying things. Retrieving things. Generally saving the day.

Stephen handled the role beautifully.

At various points during the morning he was responsible for wooden shoes, travel supplies, wardrobe logistics, and somehow ended up wearing a Dutch bonnet himself.

Why This Project Makes Me Smile

One of the things I've learned from working with Katharine is that if she says she has an idea, it's best not to ask too many questions at first.

Just say yes.

The details will arrive later.

Usually with props.

In this case, the idea involved Holland, tulips, wooden shoes, a Newfoundland dog, and enough planning to make the whole thing feel surprisingly plausible.

What I enjoy about these projects is that they start with something completely imaginary and then somehow become real.

A tulip field in Oregon becomes Holland.

A dog becomes an international traveler.

And before you know it, you're standing in a field at sunrise wondering how you somehow became the luckiest photographer in the world.

Where in the Floofy Newfie World Are They Going Next?

The passports have been stamped. The wooden shoes are (mostly) back in the suitcase.

Our travelers have packed up and are ready for their next adventure.

The next destination trades tulips for bamboo, windmills for a thousand paper cranes, and brings a whole new story to life.

Can you guess where we're headed?

Here's your first glimpse...

If you've been following along, you know every stop on the Floofy Newfie World Tour begins with a spark of imagination and ends with memories we'll never forget.

Stay tuned. The next adventure is coming soon.

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Tulips, Wooden Shoes, and a Newfoundland Dog

The Day We Went to Holland Without Leaving Oregon

It Started With an Idea

Sunrise in the Tulip Fields

Ooset Understands Her Assignment

The Unsung Hero

Why This Project Makes Me Smile

Where in the Floofy Newfie World Are They Going Next?

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