Whilst March can fool us in to thinking it’s Spring, really April is when all the excitement begins. I adore the awakening of the garden, the daffodil display, the tulips and the satisfying clumps of perennials plumping up and spreading out. All those patches of bare earth closing over with vibrant green foliage. It’s the anticipation before the main event. The wonder of seeing the tiny buds greening up on the trees and all the blossom slowly unfurling. It’s the changing of seasons that always makes me feel inspired in my floral photography work. The days are lighter, the weather unpredictable, but every day the garden is transforming.
Pink and yellow
It’s important to me that my designs reflect the garden and each year throws up endless possibilities. I’m often drawn to all the pink and soft yellow combinations in Spring. The ribes (flowering currant) flowered with the bridal crown narcissus and the pink hyacinths with the amelanchier. The hellebores have been flowering for sometime and with their seeds dropping they are more resilient and last longer as a cut flower.
This year the magnolia has been perfect. The mild weather means that it wasn’t affected by the frosts and as it doesn’t usually flower till May when its leaves are unfurling. Happily, it has decided to burst forth this month. I don’t generally use it in an arrangement, but as with all twiggy stems if they are peeled at the base and split vertically to allow maximum water retention, they last quite well.
Magnolia and daffodil design
One of my favourite daffodils is ‘Replete’ and this year, despite all the rain it’s looking so pretty. Many of my daffodils have come up blind this year due to the mild and wet winter. Luckily this peachy, frilly variety doesn’t seem affected.
Daffodil Replete
Natural light and the right backdrop are everything for me when it comes to floral photography. I’ve been exploring new areas around my little studio to practice ahead of my Spring workshop. The light is ever changing so now is a good time to explore lighting options and different backdrops that don’t work so well in the winter months.
Classes and workshops Spring 2024
My workshop this week sold out quite quickly, but do get in touch if you want to join me here in North Yorkshire on June 22nd. As with all my classes we’ll spend a day immersed in flowers, exploring natural light to create beautiful imagery through photography. There are still 2 places on my ‘Bulb to Bouquet’ workshop on May 4th with Claire of Fig and Fern and you can read about the class here. On May 7th, I have a class with Sarah at Leafy Couture and you can book that here.
I do hope you can dodge the rain showers and find time to create this month.
Janne x
