q weddings

The always-wonderful Suzi at Q Weddings posted this image on her blog recently. If you want to see some more seriously beautiful photography check out her website and blog. Thanks Suzi!

photographer: ron van dongen

I love the purity of color in these shots. Ron van Dongen's latest book, Bloom, is so soothing to flip through.




And here's a few dark, mysterious shots of the heavenly-scented peonies I bought for our house this week...

photographer: gemma comas

Just discovered a wonderful photographer (via Snippet&Ink) - Gemma Comas. Lovely shots below for MSWeddings. Check out Gemma's blog and website for more goodness.

wedding: california eclectic

I can't quit thinking about this wedding that Kathryn posted about on Snippet & Ink. The flowers are so unlike anything I could come up with, and isn't that always the most inspiring thing to come across? I'm into begonia leaves in bouquets lately, and what an unexpected combo with cattelaya orchids, blue thistle and fern curls!

Photography by Jose Villa, flowers by Modern Day Design. Both of their sites are chocka with amazing weddings. See Jose's blog for even more images of this California wedding.

leaf polaroids by jeff tolentino

I'm finally hopping on the Polaroid bandwagon. How nice are these simple shots of leaves by Jeff Tolentino? Check out the whole set on his flickr page.

austin photographer: rick tolar

I'll be headed back to Auckland before the always-awesome East Austin Studio Tour, but while I was flipping through an old guide, I ran across Rick Tolar's beautiful photographs of flowers.
He was kind enough to answer a few question for Crosspollination below.

How did you come to specialize in photographing flowers?

Actually, photographing flowers started accidentally when I happened to shoot a Dixie Blue Iris that was blooming in my yard. Even though I had many years experience in studio photography, I had never taken photos of flowers. I showed my image to some family members who coerced me to try some more. 103 images later I had finally established myself as a fine art floral photographer. My technique is fairly unique in the fact that I only use natural reflected light in a completely dark studio. This gives me the dark background that is so common in my images.


What are some of the forms and colors that you are particularly interested in right now?

My interest has been evolving over the past few years and I seem to be heading toward images that are very close to the subject. I like to flood the image area with color and close enough to add a little mystery as to what type of flower it is. I am also leaning towards multi-panels that compose one master image, primarily printed on canvas. It is interesting that I seem to have two distinct types of customers. I have those that absolutely love that particular flower and the bold, bright colors of the close up and then I have customers that love the color and do not seem to care what flower it is.


Where can we see more of your work?

I will again be in the East Austin Studio Tour this year with a collection being shown at Resonance Studio at 1406-D Smith Road. I will participate in the Cherrywood Art Festival and the LBJ Wildflower Center’s Christmas Shows, too. In April, I will have a collection of my wildflower images in Texas Highways. My website is being renovated at this time, but look for an opening by November at www.ricktolar.com.



Flowers shown from top are African Aloe, Blue Passion Flower, Bluebonnets, Hedgehog Cactus, and Hibiscus.

Thanks so much, Rick!

photographer: ngoc minh ngo

Ever since my recent trip to NYC I've been obsessed with photography and styling. So I was pleased as punch to find out about Ngoc Minh Ngo, whose photographs have graced the pages of the best magazines in the world (via automatism). Go women photogs!

And to make my week even better, I've been playing around with my new Canon XSi and 50mm f1.8 lens. Good images coming soon, no excuses now.

photographer: karl blossfeldt

Loving these images of flora by Karl Blossfeldt. (link via SFGirlByBay) All images from here.

photography: denise at bohemian girl designs

I love the honesty of Denise's writing on her blog Chronicles of Me. And I love seeing behind the scenes of such a creative and sensitive photographer. Check out the amazing new images she's just posted over on bohemiangirldesigns Etsy page. I feel blissful calmness washing over me...

photographer: irene suchocki

I was browsing through the current Poppytalk Handmade market, and lo-and-behold, one of the vendors was displaying gorgeous floral photographs. I'm a fan of old-school style photography, where you can see the dust and grainy edges - I guess that History of Photography class in college stuck with me. Anyway, Irene Suchocki is the artist behind these watercolor-like shots, and guess what? You can purchase an affordable print (printed on metallic paper) either on her Esty page or the online shop at her website for isphotography.


"Faithfully capturing a scene is less important than finding that little bit of mystery, evoking a certain mood, or telling a story. Irene creates little poems for the eyes through her explorations of the ethereal, the surreal, the whimsical, the mysterious, and the beautiful. Her work has appeared on numerous book covers, on television, and has been exhibited at the Sundance Film Festival. Her photographic prints have found their way into private homes around the world." -from isphotography website, images from isphotography website

Thanks, Irene, for sharing your beautiful work with us! And don't forget to check out Irene's blog here.

photographer: janne peters

Pam over at Housemartin posted about photographer Janne Peters awhile back, and I also showed some of his work on my old blog, but I was looking at his website again today, and wow! Who wouldn't like this set of clematis prints framed in their living room?