Dahlia Season Consulting

I walk through rows and rows of dahlias. Every color: red so dark it’s almost black, purple, vibrant yellow, blush, flame and sunset. Such variation, the ball dahlias, tight and round, the blooms with coral shaped petals, the collarettes, the layered, pointy cactus, spiky, smooth. 

As I explore the hundreds of flowers, I photograph them. Looking for color, texture, shape, and shadow. Each photograph a portrait of the flower, each flower unique. 

I’m amazed at how complex and varied the dahlia family is. Photographing a dahlia is like a meditation, allowing me to have a single focus on one brilliant bloom.

I used to love photography. I studied it in college, black and white film, a manual SLR camera, and hours upon hours in the darkroom developing and printing.

When did I lose that love? Five years as a professional photographer drained the joy from the craft. I left it behind, moved into a technology career. I didn’t take any pictures for years. 

But now, as I’ve had time away from the daily tech job, I’m rediscovering the joy in photography. I’m rediscovering beauty and stillness, nature, silence.

What joy do you want to reconnect with? 

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Many thanks to Soaring Heart Dahlia farm for opening to the public, and allowing us to wander the garden rows in delight. This beautiful bloom was grown on their farm, photographed by me. https://www.facebook.com/SoaringHeartDahlias