Tips for Photographing your flowers (Like a Pro!)

Knowing how to take really good photos of your work is such an important skill to have for your business. Great photos that show off your skill will draw clients to you. Heres my tips for how to take professional level photos of your work

1. Use Natural Light Whenever Possible

Indirect daylight near a window is ideal — Avoid harsh midday sun or overhead lighting, it can cast unflattering shadows. When indoors, shoot during the "golden hour" (early morning or late afternoon) for a soft glow.

Image source Swallows and Damsons

2. Choose the Right Background

Your choice of background will be influenced by the look you’re wanting to achieve.

If you’re shooting a product shot, for your website, keep it simple and consistent.

Use neutral or complementary colours — white, wood, fabric, or textured surfaces work well to add interest.

Choose a couple of go-to backgrounds and angles to keep your feed cohesive.

3. Stabilise Your Shot

Use a tripod or steady surface to avoid blur, especially in close-ups.

For handheld shots, use both hands and gently exhale as you press the shutter for more stability.

4. Get the Right Angle

Image source Pinterest

Try different perspectives:

Overhead for flat lays for bouquets

45-degree angle for arrangements on a table or stand

Eye-level for vases, large installations, or blooms in context

Don’t be afraid to move around — sometimes the best angle is the least expected one!

Shoot from multiple angles: overhead, eye-level, and 45° angles are the most flattering for arrangements.

Use the grid feature on your phone to apply the rule of thirds.

Don’t be afraid to get close — detail shots of textures and blooms add variety.

If it's a bouquet, try holding it in natural light or hang it against a clean wall for a hands-free look.

5. Focus on the Details

Tap to focus on the main bloom or focal point.

Use portrait mode (on phones) for dreamy background blur (bokeh).

Highlight textures like petals, stems, and dewdrops for visual interest.

Image source Katherine English

6. Mind Your Composition

Use the rule of thirds — imagine a 3x3 grid and place your subject off-center for a more dynamic shot.

Leave negative space for clean compositions (great for social media or adding text overlays).

Watch your frame edges — avoid cutting off parts of the arrangement unless intentional. Intentionally cutting off parts of your arrangement can create beautiful tension in your images. Be sure to get photos of the entire arrangement as well. You can always crop to create that tension.

7. Editing Tips

Use apps like Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, or VSCO.

Brightness/Exposure helps to bring out the natural light

Contrast - a little goes a long way

White balance make sure whites look white and keep colours accurate

Clarity and Sharpening to enhance detail

Avoid over-filtering — aim to keep colors true to life, especially if clients are choosing based on your photos.

Always keep in mind, you can edit a good photo to be better but you can’t make a bad photo good, so take the time to get the initial shot as close to perfect as you can.

Image source Emma Harris

8. Use Props Thoughtfully

Styling extras like ribbons, clippers, hands, or paper can add story and scale — just don’t overdo it.

Use props to enhance, not distract.

9. Practice Makes Progress

Take multiple shots from different angles.

Study what works (and what doesn’t) by reviewing your photos critically.

Keep experimenting — even a small shift in lighting or positioning can totally change a photo.

10. Create a photography routine

Plan ahead of time, what is it that you want to photograph, is it the finished product, behind the scenes, your fresh flowers straight from market?

Once you’ve established what it is you want to photograph build the time into your process to ensure that you get the images that you’re after.