Behind the Scene - # 1 - Styling Flower Photography

I'm starting a new series of blog posts where I'll be showing a little bit of what is going on behind the scene when I'm creating my flower images. A few tips, tricks and pictures of behind the scene - maybe not always what you expected.....! 

Pink and white stock flowers from the flower stall all wrapped up in one layer of clear cellophane and a layer of thin wrapping paper.

I plonk the flowers straight into water as soon as I get them home. I use quite big containers that are always washed with hot soapy water after each use. Some are plastic buckets, others are stainless steel buckets or florists zinc buckets. Nothing glamorous just very simple and down to earth - and easy to keep clean. 

The next thing is to condition the flowers as soon as possible. Unwrap the flowers - remove any damaged leaves as well as any leaves that will end up below the waterline in the vase. Also trim the ends of the stems at an angle to expose as much surface as possible to absorb the maximum amount of water.

This is the messy bit - torn leaves, cut bits of flower stems, accidently broken off flowers, crumpled wrapping paper and cellophane.  

At this stage, if not before I start thinking about where I'm are going to take the pictures. What table or other surface I'm are going to use. 

Also what am I going to use as a background - already existing walls or other background surfaces - or do you have specially created wooden or vinyl backgrounds ready for use.

I also start thinking about what props to use - vases and containers, tabletops, chairs, larger pieces of fabrics or smaller pieces like napkins, 

In the last three images - I have tidied up the messy bits and I'm about to start arranging the flowers into containers. I'm also trying out a few props - looking for colours that I'm happy with and that will go with the flowers. 

This is the first in a series of blog posts showing what goes on behind the scene when I'm styling my flower shoots.

More to follow soon......... 

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I look forward to seeing later in the week - when I'll be back with more floral delights.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: Pink and White stock flowers - bought from my favourite street flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: Plastic bucket, two stainless steel buckets and zinc florist buckets - bought and collected over the years.]

[Other props: Natural linen fabric, flower basket, natural twine, mini flower cutting tool, twine and creamware jars - from stylists own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

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P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/