My Favorite Flowers For Photography And Why You Should Love Them Too

Two blog posts ago I wrote about what "problem" my art solved.  How does my art inspire someone else's life to be better?  So, I thought it would be nice to share what inspires me.

Well, that might seem obvious right?

You're probably saying to yourself, Jessica, it's clear to see your art is inspired by flowers and trees and nature with an occasional kitchen tool thrown in there every once in awhile.

It is true.

I love flowers, and I go through flower phases.

You see a lot of Dahlias, because their petals and their color variety make them a great subject.  You can shoot them from the top down or off on a side angle.  

I also love Calla Lilies.  The shape of the over all flower is amazing.  They look like hearts.  These can be difficult to shoot straight on and have the entire flower be in focus.  Try laying a bunch of them down stacked on one another, or shoot a single flower from the side.  They also come in a variety of cool colors.

Last Spring I became obsessed with Bleeding Hearts.  They grow in a row, hanging down from the branch.  They look like little hearts dancing in the air.  I like to shoot them from the side.  I actually went out and bought my own plant and planted them in my garden.  We'll see if they actually grow.

And then there are Succulents.  Any variety really.  I seem to always end up shooting Hens and Chicks.  I usually shoot them top down so you can appreciate the shapes of the petals that are created.  And if it's a flowering variety?  You can get some really great shots, because the flowers themselves are interesting shapes and colors.

Poppies are fun, but for me I prefer to catch them when they are budding.  However, even if you don't, you can find them in a variety of bright colors.  Try shooting them from an extreme angle.  

And, Water Lilies.  Water Lilies have a great petal shapes, and the softer tones of the flowers are always amazing against the darker water they grow in.  I have experimented with shooting these from the top down or at an angle.  I like them at a slight angle, although sometimes that can be difficult because the best angle would mean climbing in the water to get up close (and that is usually frowned upon at public garden).  I tried to grow my own in my koi pond once, but the koi ate them.

And let's not forget, Orchids, Gerbera Daisies and Roses.  Any flower makes a great art subject.  Experiment with angles.  Try from the top, the side and even underneath.  And don't ignore the dying ones.  Sometimes they are the most interesting!

I'd love to see your shots!