I have always been drawn to floral photography.
When I was in college studying photography, I had my sights set on commercial photography. But in order to pursue commercial photography, I had to take formal portrait classes.
Portrait classes taught me so much about the difference between types of subjects. When I photographed an object, it would always sit perfectly still (even for hours on end!) without moving. It never objected, or had its own idea of what angle would work best. I could move it around, try different lighting, and come back to it over and over to get the perfect shot.
But with people, everything was different. I didn’t have the luxury of unlimited time, or a perfectly still subject—especially with impatient executives. I needed to work with the subject as I took photos, and bring them along for the journey.
Despite it being a totally new and more challenging angle, I was hooked on portrait classes right away! I fell in love with capturing my changing, moving, evolving subjects.
But even with my busy portrait business, I would find pockets of time to photograph the flower. I bought certain flowers just to capture different elements within them.
I saw the joy in Gerbera daisies, with the vibrant colors spilling out symmetrically from the center. I heard the song of the tulips spilling forth from the top of the tightly formed petals. Looking at each flower up close and personal, they took on a life of their own.
Seeing the life in each flower requires being intimate with the floral subject—peeling back the layers to see the desire within her subject. Someone gives her a beautiful bouquet of multi-colored roses; the tightest petals on each rose begin to loosen up, as if the rose is starting to trust her and reveal itself. The desire to expose themselves becomes even greater, and the petals loosen further. Finally the flowers are tired, and they close their eyes to succumb to what was meant to be.
Even in their faded glory, the flora still carries with it the beauty of its being, hence lie the image above, ‘The Last Dance’ – and it becomes the beauty of the seduction of you,
What are your favorite flowers to photograph? Are there any flowers you think have a unique personality? Let me know in the comments, and visit the Nature section of my shop to see some more of my floral work!
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