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. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

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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/

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 104 - Pon-Pon and Cappuccino Ranunculus

This week on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' - I'm featuring a fabulous bunch of mixed Pon-Pon and Cappuccino Ranunculus - absolutely gorgeous in both shape and colour.

Here is a little "statement" that I add - to briefly explaining my thinking behind these particular posts:

"It's always a pleasure and lots of fun to buy a bunch of flowers for the weekend and this series of blog posts, called 'A Bunch for the Weekend, I will show you how you can make quick and easy flower arrangements for your home. 

Buy the flowers where it's convenient and easy for you whether that is from a flower stall, farmers' market, the supermarket or a florist. 

Always try to buy seasonal flowers - they will last longer and they will be a lot cheaper.

Make sure you condition the flowers as soon as you get home. Remove any foliage that will end up below the waterline in the vase. Trim the ends of the stems at an angle and put in fresh water as soon as possible."

Sometimes I find flowers at my local flower stall that makes me go weak at the knees and I instantly fall in love with them. 

These two Ranunculus are really quite special - the pon-pon one has ruffled petals and the colouring on the petals vary from flower to flower.

The Cappuccino style has very distinct bands of stronger colours on the edges of the petals.  

A few delicious cherries in a little dish. The colour echos the dark pink in the flowers.

I have not used a lot of colourful props apart from the cherries and the pink stripe on the jug. I wanted nothing that would make the eye leave the flowers.

Just a softly folded unbleached linen runner and a few clear glass containers in the back - just visible.

This is the kind of flowers that doesn't need any other flowers or foliage. They are a statement just by themselves - nothing else is needed.

I have varied the height of the stems to give the arrangement some added texture and movement.

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

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Sunday morning with another 'Florets - a new floral quote by someone passionate about flowers. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you back here then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

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

[Flowers: Pon-Pon and Cappuccino Ranunculus. Flowers from my local flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: A vintage off-white jug with a wide pink stripe - bought at a 'loppis' in Sweden.]

[Other props: From stylist's own prop collection.]

*****

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

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 boards showing how to arrange flowers. 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/

Creative with Flowers - # 28 - White Amaryllis

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring some gorgeous white Amaryllis. It's such a perfect flower for this time of year. Easy to look after - you just need to know a few little tricks and all will be well!

This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!

Amaryllis must be the perfect flower - easy to condition, there are no leaves to remove, the flowers don't open up all at the same time, they last for a long time and you just need a few stems as each stem has several flowers - so it makes a big impact.

This particular white Amaryllis has some green colouration inside the flowers fading to white. So I have added a few muted green vintage bottles and bowls. 

At this time of year I crave candles and I will always light some in the evenings.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind when you use Amaryllis as a cut flower. 

If you are making a tall arrangement put a thin bamboo stick up the stem to prevent the stems from breaking. The flower heads become very heavy and if there is no support the stems can break.

If you are making a short arrangement where the stems are supported by the side of the vase there is no need to do this.

Another advise you see is to fill the hollow stems with water. Simply turn the flower upside down, fill with water, plug the opening with some cotton wool , keep your thumb over the opening and quickly place in the vase. 

You also need to put a rubber band around the bottom of the stems to prevent the stems curling up. Floral tape also works well. Remember that the tape or the rubber band might be visible through a clear glass vase so you might want to use some other type of vase or container. 

I always cut the bottom of the stems straight across with a sharp knife on a cutting board - not at an angle. As the bottom of the flower stems tend to curl up - it will look much neater with a straight cut and easier to keep the rubber band or tape in place.  

Another thing I also do is that I remove the anthers filled with pollen as soon as a bud has opened up. This is to prevent the pollen falling on tablecloths and clothing. 

Trim off any faded flowers and enjoy the remaining flower heads.

In this arrangement I have only used three stems but each one has four flowers so altogether I have twelve  flower heads - I call that good value for money!

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous floral Wednesday!

Thanks you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer'. I will be back later in the week with more floral delights. I'll see you then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

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

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right and an email will come right into your inbox.

For more floral inspiration you can follow me on:

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 94 - Paperwhites

In this week's 'A Bunch for the Weekend' I'm featuring another winter arrangement. This time it's a white theme - white paperwhites with some contrasting grey-green foliage and lots of very subtle textures from linen fabrics, yarn and glass.

It's always a pleasure and lots of fun to buy a bunch of flowers for the weekend and this series of blog posts, called 'A Bunch for the Weekend, I will show you how you can make quick and easy flower arrangements for your home. 

Buy the flowers where it's convenient and easy for you whether that is from a flower stall, farmers' market, the supermarket or a florist. 

Always try to buy seasonal flowers - they will last longer and they will be a lot cheaper.

Make sure you condition the flowers as soon as you get home. Remove any foliage that will end up below the waterline in the vase. Trim the ends of the stems at an angle and put in fresh water as soon as possible.

Paperwhites are such a welcome addition and works so well as a contrast to all the bright colours at this time of year. The colour is sparkling white with a yellow centre and the delicate petals form a star shaped flower. They are also heavenly scented and brings joy to a quiet month on the flower front.

The beautiful bunch of paperwhite flowers are UK grown by Cel Robertson on her organic flower farm Forever Green Flower Company in Norfolk.   

Eucalyptus foliage is another perfect Christmas plant - mix it with almost any flower, used on it's own or mixed with other foliage in garland or wreaths. 

The Iittala candle holder is an old favourite of mine and while growing up in Sweden I remembering loving all the Finnish design - so much more bold and daring than the rest of the world.

This Iittala votive holder was first designed in 1964 by the Finnish designer Oiva Toikka and he called it Kastehelmi - that translates into 'dewdrops'. It's pressed glass and the pattern of droplets makes the candle light play on the surface.

The three skeins of yarn is ecologically grown and Faitrade Pakucho cotton - sold by a company in Sweden called Alpaca Of Sweden.

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

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Sunday with another Florets - a floral quote by someone passionate about flowers. I'll see you back here then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

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

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

For more floral inspiration you can follow me on:

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson