Our 10 Best Floral Photos from 2016

Garden Collage regularly uses cinemagraphs– moving pictures that look like something out of a Harry Potter movie– to add a touch of movement to our stories about flowers, food, and other elements of the garden.

Andreana’s take: “I am completely in love with Cinemagraphs, and in my opinion nobody does it better than Daria Khoroshavina. Her precision and quality of light is breathtaking. She’s able to make even the most mundane subjects look striking. I’m also obsessed with ranunculus, so this just doesn’t get any better for me.”

In April of 2016, Garden Collage Editor-in-Chief Molly Beauchemin and Copyeditor Taylor Morgan paid a visit to the famous Carlsbad Ranunculus Fields in Carlsbad, California.

Andreana’s take: “I’ve never been to the Carlsbad Flower Fields but Molly’s images from this story made me want to plan an entire trip around it. I love the way the patches of colors create different shapes and patterns that change with her perspective, particularly in contrast with the huge, rustic tractor just plopped right in the middle of the field.”

For GC’s ongoing “Florist Friday” series, Garden Collage contributor Leeron Hoorey interviewed English florist Anna Potter of Swallows and Damsons, who is known for her bespoke, Victorian-chic style.

Andreana’s take: “Between the vivid blue wall, the copper colored vessels, and the pop of pink and orange in the flowers, this is easily one of my favorite images of the year in regards to both color and styling. It’s not easy to successfully pull off a set as busy and intricate as this one.”

For GC’s ongoing “Bouquet of the Week” series, Garden Collage Staff Writer Nora Rose Mueller once styled a bouquet in a watering can that had the entire staff swooning– including the photographer who had the privilege of photographing it.

Andreana’s take: “This is my favorite Bouquet of the Week feature of all time. Aside from being an incredible writer, Nora Rose Mueller has an undeniable gift with flowers. As soon as she finished styling this bouquet, I couldn’t wait to shoot it. I love the contrast between the rigidity of the copper watering can and the wild bunch of flowers overflowing out of the top, especially against the simple white wall on a summery tablecloth.”

For GC’s ongoing “Florist Friday” series, Garden Collage contributor Beatrice Helman interviewed Kiana Underwood of Tulipina— a florist with a huge Instagram following and a lush, organic style.

Andreana’s take: “I’m a big fan of Tulipina so it’s hard for me not to gush over every photo of her work that I see. I particularly love the quality of light in this one, especially in combination with the backdrop. It reminds me of a classic oil painting.”

For GC’s ongoing “Bouquet of the Week” series, Garden Collage Illustrator Jessy Scarpone styled a bouquet that came to represent the pinnacle of summer.

Andreana’s take: “Everything about this shoot was so much fun! We shot Jessy’s creamsicle-inspired bouquet on a warm early-summer day in Bryant Park. I love this image because it embodies everything we love about summer: bright colors, sunshine, and spending lunchtime in any one of NYC’s beautiful parks.”

Ask Ella is a weekly Garden Collage feature in which we ask our in house florist, Ella Stavinsky, about how to care for and maintain the kinds of beautiful flowers one is apt to find at their local flower market.

Andreana’s take: “Peonies are so classic and lovely. This photo from our Ask Ella series is a long time favorite of mine due to it’s simplicity. The white wall and simple-yet-elegant composition sends my attention to the natural beauty of the flowers.”

In September of 2016, Garden Collage Editor-in-Chief Molly Beauchemin travelled to Vancouver to hike, bike, and explore the region’s unique temperate rainforests. During her visit, she photographed a variety of colorful hydrangeas, which at the time were still blooming in British Columbia.

Andreana’s take: “I’m a sucker for hydrangeas no matter the color, but purple hydrangeas are by far my favorite. These petals in particular have a nice mixture of warm-toned and cool-toned purples, which look especially beautiful next to the rich greens of their leaves.”

Earlier this year Garden Collage contributing photographer Caterina Rancho paid a visit to Heidegarten Schneverdingen, a famous patchwork of colorful heather blossoms in the German countryside of Schneverdingen.

Andreana’s take: “I love when I open up a photo that makes me want to jump right into my computer screen. Caterina did a great job composing her landscape, especially by emphasizing the colorful, playfully-shaped patches of flowers.”

Last May, Garden Collage held its inaugural Floral Salon at our studio in New York City. It was one of our most beautiful events of the year!

Andreana’s take: “Last spring GC held a Floral Salon in our office and Ella Stavonsky, our incredible in-house florist, set the mood with a custom rose archway and window boxes. I particularly love the perspective in this image and the effect my shallow depth of field created with the window box florals to my left, directing the eye right to the archway.”