A Day in the Life of a Photographer: Capturing the Last of the Black Tulips

There are moments when creativity doesn’t come from planning—it comes from paying attention. The other night, I was scrolling and came across the black tulips created by Kat Von D, and something about them just stopped me. They were different, a little unexpected, and honestly… kind of magical. I found myself going down the rabbit hole, reading her story and why she chose to create them. Learning that she planted thousands of tulips—over 15,000—to help bring tourism and energy to a small town that welcomed her made it even more meaningful. It wasn’t just about flowers—it was about intention, creativity, and giving back. And being able to experience that and then share her story felt like part of the purpose too.

So I did what I’ve learned to do in these moments—I acted on it. I looked up how far Vevay, Indiana was, realized I had one small window left, and made the decision right then to go the next morning. No overthinking, no talking myself out of it. Just grab the camera, grab a coffee, and go chase something that felt inspiring. And honestly? That’s one of my favorite things—checking out small towns like Vevay. It was such a cute little spot, full of charm, and definitely somewhere I’ll be going back to explore again.

These kinds of sessions aren’t about clients or timelines or deliverables—they’re creative, they’re grounding, and honestly, they’re necessary. They allow me to slow down, to be grateful, and to create without pressure. I get to capture images that I love, that I’m excited to edit, share, and turn into something meaningful. It fills my creative cup in a way that nothing else really can—and it gives me content that feels real and aligned with who I am as a photographer and storyteller.

And the best part? It never “just” ends with pretty photos. These moments help me see new locations, spark ideas for future sessions, and create content that connects with the people I love working with. It also gives me the opportunity to highlight stories like hers—stories rooted in purpose, creativity, and community. If sharing this inspires even one more person to go experience it, support a small town, or simply follow their own creative spark… then it’s worth it.