Over 2000 dahlia photos later..
The Unexpected Joy of Photographing Dahlias
When I first started growing dahlias, I thought the greatest reward would simply be the flowers themselves — the excitement of the first blooms, armfuls of colour, and filling the house with fresh-cut flowers.
What I didn’t expect was how much joy I would find in photographing them.
This season alone, I’ve taken well over 2,000 photos of my dahlias. Sunrise walks through the garden, golden evening light, cloudy afternoons after rain — every moment seems to reveal something different about the flowers. The same bloom can look completely transformed depending on the light, and I’ve found myself constantly reaching for my phone to capture it.
Photographing dahlias has become more than just taking pretty pictures. It’s a way of slowing down and truly noticing the details — the soft curl of petals, the depth of colour, the tiny imperfections that make every flower unique. It allows me to appreciate the garden in a completely different way.
The best part is that you don’t need expensive equipment to take beautiful flower photos. Every image I’ve captured this season has been taken on my iPhone, and over time I’ve learnt a few simple things that make a big difference.
1. Soft Light Changes Everything
Morning and late afternoon light is by far my favourite for photographing dahlias. The softer light brings out the true colours and delicate texture of the petals without creating harsh shadows.
Midday sun, while beautiful in the garden, can often wash colours out and make photos appear overly bright or flat. If possible, I try to photograph either early in the morning or later in the evening when the light feels softer and more golden.
Golden hour especially gives dahlias such a dreamy, glowing look.
2. Experiment With Different Camera Settings
One of the easiest ways to improve flower photography is simply experimenting with the settings already on your phone.
I personally love:
- Portrait mode for close-up flower photos
- Cinematic mode for videos moving through the garden
- Adjusting exposure slightly darker to keep colours rich and true
Some of my favourite photos have come from simply trying different angles or settings and seeing what works best with each variety.
3. Cloudy Days Are Surprisingly Perfect
Cloudy weather might not seem ideal at first, but it can actually create some of the best conditions for photographing flowers.
The soft diffused light helps darker or highly saturated dahlias photograph much more accurately, without overly harsh contrast or bright highlights. Deep burgundies, reds, oranges, and purples especially seem to shine on overcast days.
More Than Just Photos
Looking back through thousands of images from the season has become one of my favourite parts of growing dahlias. Each photo captures a moment in time — a flower at its peak, a certain evening light, or a season I know will pass too quickly.
Long after the blooms have faded, the photos remain.
And somehow, photographing the garden has made me appreciate growing it even more. 🌸