from our view: taking photographs of our own work

As my team grows, new possibilities arise. Time frees up and working 18 hr days is a thing of the past. Phew!! Enter photography, one of my side passions that keeps me inspired and busy when I am not designing flowers or working on this business.

I believe that WE can only capture our work in a way that best represents us. We work with some of the most amazing photographers and they truly do an amazing job photographing our work. And just like all photographers photograph differently, they all see things differently as well. What I love about my arrangement is not what they love, the flower that took me years to source is only another rose in their eyes.

There is no way to fully communicate to them all the intricacies of the design. The textures that you finally got your hands on, the fact that the arrangement has a front and a back, the container having a small chip…. it’s endless and they would think I was crazy if I told them everything.

So after many years of thinking this through I realized that I had to learn the art of photography. Practice, practice, practice and get to shooting my work the way I wanted it to look. Catching all those little items that I love through my lens.

Here is a series of images from a design session where I did the styling, the arrangement and the photography. Let me know what you think:

we create because we have to: seeking inspiration from everything

I remember distinctly when my mother would make sure I would refer to myself as an ARTIST. She would correct me, and help me understand why it was so important.

Kelli Durham Photography

There is something indescribable that burns within us (Artists) that makes us need to create. I can’t focus, I get fidgety, and overall anxious when I have an idea that I need to see come to fruition. I never acknowledged this as I believed this was a general human condition, a way that everyone felt.

The older I get the more I notice that this is what is called artistry: the need to create a vision that overwhelms you.

A couple days ago this happened. I thought I needed coffee and just to get up from my desk as I had been creating proposals, and paying taxes. So who wouldn’t want to move around after that. But the urge to create the arrangement I had it my head was overwhelming. I had to go pickup some flowers from the wholesaler and create something. I ended up creating the arrangement seen in the “handmade: it cost more” blog post.

I felt instant relief. Like an addict getting their buzz from their cigarette. I felt more relaxed, calm and overall content with life. And I won’t even begin to mention how adding photography to the bag of fun make me feel.

Kelli Durham Photography

The need to create is something that I never knew, as a child, I could use to build a business from. That I could turn that energy into something profitable. Something so filled with passion and joy that would then be sought out by community. It all seems a little wild if you ask me. But it’s the best kind of wild I could have ever dreamt up.

Today I consider myself an artist, a creator.

How amazing is this skeleton leaf? Is a bleached preserved leaf that gives the most romantic soft touch to this arrangement. Looking forward to adding this delicate touch to our upcoming events and weddings.

Amazing photography by Kelli Durham Photography

Kelli Durham Photography

setting the standard: creating the event you want to see

When I started this business I was bull headed and had many thoughts on how it would all go.  Some of the thoughts were wildly incorrect and other turned into structures that I still hang on to.  For example, I thought it would be easy, I thought that if I produce good work people will come.  It's not easy, but people will come.  Yes it is true... if you build it they will come.  But no one tells you how long the building process will take.  

I also don't have a store front (which 8 years ago was a wild thought in our market) as we work out of a warehouse that we've converted into a super cute space. I remember nay sayers who thought I would never be seen and it would be difficult to grow my business.  It was difficult but the vision that I has was mine and knew it would work.  

So many times in life we have a gut feeling that comes over us and we push it aside.  We might have too many people's opinions we listen to or are just insecure about pulling the trigger. I see this all the time when people are making decisions for their wedding/event.  Client's have a vision for their event and get persuaded by a well meaning photographer, event planner or friend to move in a direction that was not their original vision.  TRUST ME... there are many reasons to listen to your friends and other vendors! But listen to your gut.

Make sure the event you are planning resembles you.  We want your guest to know it was something you planned, a true reflection of you, when they walk into the room.  All we do is just play a small part in making it happen.

Gorgeous images by Dana Fernandez Photography

Why two different colored bouquets?  No, our bride did not request this.  There was an error on our end and we were lucky enough to have both of them photographed! She asked for an all white bouquet... but apparently we got so excited about the colors, we sent that one first.  

Dana, the amazing photographer, shot us a call and told us about our hiccup. We quickly whipped up the white bouquet and got it to our beautiful bride right in time for her to walk down the aisle.

Phew! Can we get an amen for working with some of the most thoughtful vendors?! What would we ever do without the people that make us look good and make us feel that we are part of a bigger team.  The vendor team! 

We were so thankful she spoke up. Because she did we got a chance to fix our error and make it right. She will look back on her wedding day and it will be a true reflection of her. And for that reason alone, we are so thankful for her.

handmade: it costs more, but it's worth it

As flower designer’s we are familiar with items that are handmade. There is nothing that our client’s receive from us that is not made by our hands. I am not sure if I truly ever thought of our work in that way until I just wrote it. It’s truly amazing if you really think about it.

Every flower was touched by us, every container was hand picked by us. Every single bloom was purposefully chosen for its movement, color, length of stem, texture, line, shape, petal count etc. It’s a process that takes flipping through catalogues, searching scientific names (that I can not seem to ever remember) reaching out to a minimum of 5 different companies and countless websites.

There are days that I fall in love with the process and other days that make me want to quit. It’s not easy and maybe that is why I love it so much. The ordering flower process of our business is one that is never spoken of but probably the most important part of it all.

I look at all handmade items with so much appreciation as I know what it takes to make our own. The dedication and expertise is straight out of one of my all time favorite documentaries Jiro Dreams of Sushi. This documentary highlights Jiro’s life’s work in developing one of the most well known sushi restaurants in the world. All created from dedication, passion and obsession over his trade.

From flowers, to sushi and now to the whole reason I was inspired to write this blog post… this handmade vessel. This one in the image bellow. Abbie from Box Sparrow creates the most gorgeous ceramic pieces and we honor her today with this arrangement. She created this vessel and we have fallen madly deeply in love with it and can only imagine the dedication in selecting all the materials, and the time it took to make this. You would never know a person made this as it has been made with expertise only a machine could replicate.

Can we take a little moment to enjoy all these gorgeous blooms from Mayesh? We are so thankful they dare to bring in material to help us explore with different material. Flowers we incorporated in this highly textured piece are: helleborus, begonia, garden roses, lisianthus, snowberries, carnations, smilax, and blackberry greenery.

marie flanigan interiors- a women on the move

We have been following Marie Flanigan for years and having her team reach out to work on a collaborative project was one of the highlights of 2018.   All the necessary elements were met, girlfriends, flowers, well designed spaces and great food.

I am flattered that we would get a chance to collaborate with someone who is so detailed oriented and designed based.   Two elements of weddings and events that matter so much to me and that lead every element of how we create our designs.

There were some gorgeous Japanese product at that time and we couldn't wait to put it to use.  And one of my all time favorite blooms lilac! Oh my goodness you guys, lilac is just so amazing... and after seeing where it all grows from several years back made my obsession continue.

The space was so perfectly styled and decorated with some fun food details by our pals at Smart in the Kitchen.  And gorgeous calligraphy bits from another gal pal Megan Grant. 

As Houstonian's know so well, we love our summer but we are so glad to see it go.  Before the cooler season arrives we work our way through the storm season, but let me tell you we are so excited that the rain is a very welcome sight!