Exploring Redwood National Park <em>Catching the Peak of the Rhododendron Bloom is Photographers’ ‘Holy Grail’</em>

Helder, being a landscape photographer, had often spoke of heading up to the Redwood National Park religiously every spring. Sometimes every week. Late spring (mid-May through mid-June) in the park means trying to catch the peak of the rhododendron bloom. This is what draws photographers from all over the world in search for that perfect shot. (FYI, it’s an AH-MAZING place to elope! Just sayin’!)

That’s how we found ourselves wandering through the ancient forest last weekend. Let me tell you, photographing redwoods is hard enough as it is… no matter how I try, oftentimes I could only capture a small fraction of the gigantic trees. Now try capturing the majestic giant trees with the rhododendrons - the bell-shaped flowers with their cotton candy-like petals, along with some low fog and sunlight filtering through the trees.

That’s the shot. The ‘Holy Grail’ of redwood and rhododendron photos.

It wasn’t easy for this portrait photographer to try her hand in landscape photography. I definitely got a lesson in patience and preparation. I hope you enjoy what I captured with my camera. Helder had mentioned he’ll probably be heading back next weekend when more rhododendrons are blooming (we came a bit too early before it peaked) and I can’t wait to see what he’ll capture.

As for me, I’ll be coming back to this magical place again soon enough!

Til our next adventure,
Jenny + Helder ᨒ↟