A day at Tallulah Rose Flower School

Photography and styling for florists

This is the second photography and styling workshop that I have co hosted with Rachel of Tallulah Rose Flower School. Set in Cumbria, Rachel has a beautiful studio in the grounds of Levens Hall where she teaches her students. There are always workshops, retreats and flower classes running year round and with a reputation in the floral industry that has been established for 12 years, the places are in high demand.

Our day was all about photography, styling and unravelling some of the nuances of Instagram. Being able to successfully capture your own work is so important and this day is all about offering advice and tips on how to do just that. A lot to cover in one day whilst creating a bowl arrangement of seasonal flowers.

Levens Hall

Levens Hall has the most amazing topiary garden that I missed during my Autumn visit.  I was determined to find the time on this trip. There was snow on the Cumbrian mountain peaks and Spring still felt like weeks away compared to other parts of the country. The sun was shining for our day though and with only a slim chance of a shower we were all set to have a wonderful time with our six attendees. Usually there are eight places available ,but Rachel has been operating a covid secure environment and six places gives everyone plenty of space to move around the studio.

The Flowers

Beautiful seasonal flowers from local and sustainable growers are always a certainty at Tallulah Rose. We were provided with stunning tulips, ranunculus, anemones, narcissi, blossom and icelandic poppies from @flowersbyseason @ixiabotanicals @pickedatdawn

Creating the bowl

Rachel shared how she creates a low bowl centrepiece, starting off with a pin frog and chicken wire secured with pot tape. This combination keeps the flowers secure and balanced. Additional stems and gestures can be added at the final stages without falling over this way. Adding the foliage first for shape, we could then move to the fun part…adding some of those gorgeous Spring blooms.

Rachel had selected some bowls from @RebeccaCallisPorcelain for us to use and I love the one below chosen by @meadowsandmulberryweddings

I often recommend with small bowl arrangements that they are raised up, maybe on books or a hat box, small stool or chair. This really gives space around the flowers and also lets the shape of the bowl shine.

Styling tips

I love using fruit or vegetables in my images using colours that compliment the arrangement. Organic shapes that bring texture and interest to the composition as a whole. Soft fabrics or styling cloths add softness and movement. And my favourite stack of vintage French paperbacks to raise the bowl up off the table. Rachel has a lovely stand alone cupboard in the studio and this makes a warm, natural backdrop.

This lovely bowl was created by Cheryl of  @silkandpurl featuring some of her gorgeous styling cloths. Shooting in to the dark gives a lovely Dutch Masters feel to the image.

This beauty was created by @BranchandBramblefloristry and I deliberately shot through some cherry blossom to give a feel of blur and depth.

Reuse and Repurpose

From the one bowl of flowers I took away from the day, I found the chance to create another arrangement or two. I deliberately used anemones that weren’t  quite open in the original arrangement so they could open along with the tulips. Photographing the flowers outside as well as in makes the arrangement and atmosphere look completely different.

I couldn’t resist this lovely classical head bowl from Anthropologie perfect for creating something a little bit more whimsical.

My floral Goddess and a celebration of the garden in May.

Please do get in touch if you’d like to know more details about my workshops. I will be back at Tallulah Rose Flower School in  Autumn. Thank you to @SilkandPurl @BranchandBrambleFloristry @TheQuirkyPetal @MeadowsandMulberryWeddings @Fl0werSmith @PetalPerfections for joining us for a fun day.

Janne x