By Cheryl Eagers, Professional Photographer at Cherish Artz
In July 2024, I decided to enter the IV Awards with some of my creative flower photography. It was an exciting opportunity to showcase my work in the Photographic Art category, specifically in the Floral and Botanical subcategory. This category challenges artists to express an idea, a message, or an emotion through their images, adhering to strict rules that celebrate pure photography—no AI, no CGI, no stock images, and no composites.
The Challenge and My Submissions
After careful consideration, I selected four images that I felt best embodied my artistic vision and the spirit of the competition. Here are the images I entered and the inspiration behind them:
1. Flighty Conversations – Excellence Award 2nd Place
This piece celebrates the beauty of aging tulips. Using a light pad to enhance the transparency of the petals, I captured their delicate, ethereal quality. The subtle purple hues, a whisper of the flower’s former vibrancy, are juxtaposed against a textured background created from an aged trunk in my home. This image reflects the elegance found in the natural aging process, reminding us of the beauty in impermanence.
2. Graceful Ascent – Accepted In Show
A cosmos flower served as the foundation for this piece, but I wanted to do more than photograph it—I wanted to make it rise. Using Photoshop tools like the liquify and path tools, I sculpted the petals to evoke upward motion. The background, derived from the same floral image, was painted digitally with artistic brushes, creating a harmonious interplay between the flower and its environment.
3. Tulip Rhapsody – Excellence Award – 1st Place
This image began with tulips photographed on a light pad. From there, I created a multilayered composition, using the same photograph to form a dynamic background with the path tools, liquify, and artistic brushes. Through careful blending and the interplay of 10 layers, the image came alive with depth and movement, encapsulating the vibrant energy of a rhapsody.
4. A Rhapsody in the Backyard – Merit Award
Fuchsia flowers from my backyard became the heart of this image. By layering multiple photographs from the same shoot, I crafted a painterly background, blending it with the fuchsia flowers using masks. The result is a cohesive piece that feels as though it was plucked straight from a dream.
Stories – Showcasing the same Story, Feel, Finish and Size
In addition to my individual submissions, I also entered a set of four images in the Stories category. The Stories category is designed to highlight cohesive collections where each image complements the others in telling a unified narrative with a consistent style and finish.
Believe – Merit Award
For this entry, I chose four images that I captured during a memorable trip to France. My beautiful friend Maria graciously posed for me in a stunning lavender field, embodying the serene beauty and timeless charm of the French countryside. These images are deeply personal to me, as they evoke the magic of that day and the connection between art, nature, and friendship.
The Importance of Expanding Skills
Entering the IV Awards was more than just a personal milestone—it was an opportunity to grow as a photographer and an artist. Stepping into a genre like creative floral photography challenges me to think differently about composition, light, and texture. These skills inevitably enhance my ability to create meaningful, emotive imagery in all areas of photography, including family and portrait work.
For example, experimenting with light pads and layering techniques has deepened my understanding of how light interacts with different textures and colors. This insight directly influences how I capture families during golden hour sessions or highlight delicate details in maternity shoots. The creative use of blending and layering in Photoshop sharpens my ability to deliver polished, artistic edits for clients who value unique and visually stunning results.
How This Benefits Local Families
When local families choose me as their photographer, they’re not just getting someone who knows how to operate a camera—they’re getting an artist who continually pushes boundaries to refine their craft. My exploration of creative flower photography translates to:
- Unique Perspectives: I’m trained to see beauty in the small details, whether it’s the way light falls on a petal or the way a child’s laughter lights up their face.
- Artistic Vision: Families receive images that go beyond documentation; they get art pieces that tell their story with depth and emotion.
- Enhanced Techniques: Skills like layering, working with textures, and creating dynamic compositions mean I can create standout images, whether it’s a family portrait in a scenic location or a candid moment at home.
Why Photographers Should Explore New Genres
Exploring new genres allows photographers to break free from creative ruts and develop fresh approaches to their work. It broadens our technical capabilities, challenges us to think differently, and ultimately makes us more versatile. For me, creative floral photography is not just a personal passion—it’s a way to bring something unique to every family I photograph.
Whether I’m capturing the romance of a maternity session, the joy of a family on the beach, or the quiet beauty of aging tulips, my goal remains the same: to create meaningful, emotive images that will be cherished for a lifetime.
