Through the Lens: Tulips, Cameras & Conversation
Two weeks ago, I had the loveliest day attending a Tulips & Photography workshop, so warmly hosted by Rachel Ince (@walledgardenflowerfarm) and renowned garden and flower photographer Eva Nemeth (@evanemeth). Set at Rachel’s family home in the beautiful village of Old Warden, Bedfordshire where she grows the most stunning cut flowers, the day brought together a lovely group of flower growers, flower lovers, and photographers, all eager to improve their camera skills. It was filled with laughter, learning, and plenty of shared tips and tricks.
The spring weather was perfect: overcast for most of the day, avoiding the harsh glare of direct sun which are the ideal conditions for photographing flowers.
We began the morning under the boughs of an old apple tree, tea and home-baked cookies in hand, listening to Eva gently share her wisdom. She talked us through the most important principle of photography: finding the perfect light. (Top tip: for indoor photography, look for light coming from the north!) She explained how the best, most diffused light often appears early in the morning or late in the afternoon during those beautiful ‘golden hours’. Eva also introduced us to the rule of thirds for creating strong compositions and demystified camera settings like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture (the famous F-stop!).
Rachel had created several gorgeous arrangements using flowers from her own cutting garden using butterfly ranunculus, Brown Sugar and La Belle Époque tulips, and apple blossom branches. We practised photographing these inside her beautiful shepherd’s hut, nestled in the orchard, where she hosts her workshops and which, after today, might just become her new photography studio!
Later, cameras in hand, we wandered through the old walled orchard, capturing the apple and pear blossoms in full glory. Thanks to the warm, dry spring and lack of frost so far this year, the blossom has been especially breathtaking. Rachel’s garden really is a photographer’s paradise! There are old stone walls enclosing mature lilac trees in deep purple, soft lavender, and crisp white; a perfectly shaped old cherry tree heavy with clumps of delicate pink blossom; and picturesque corners wherever you turned.
After a delicious home-baked lunch back under the apple tree, Eva set us a task: to capture the story of the day in just nine images, looking for both the big moments and the tiny details.
This time we strolled into the walled cutting garden, where carpets of wallflowers and tulips glowed with colour, and autumn-sown annuals filled the raised beds. A delicate pink Montana clematis clambered everywhere, while the pruned roses were springing back to life.
Using the perfect backdrop of an aged barn door, we practised more flower arrangement photography before stepping inside the beautiful old tiled barn so rich with history, its ancient roof beams and intricate lattice brickwork dating back to the 1600s. Here, Eva demonstrated how to work with different exposures and light metering to create darker, moodier images inspired by the Dutch Masters.
Having completed a 1:1 photography course with Eva last year via video calls, the day was a wonderful opportunity to revisit and build on that learning with camera in hand. As always, Eva was kind, patient, and so generous with her knowledge. No question was too silly, and she answered everything with such encouragement and care.
The day ended with more laughter and shared storytelling (including a duckling story I will never forget!) over a final cup of tea and an indulgent homemade summer fruit pavlova back under the trees by the shepherd’s hut. Eva demonstrated the art of flat lay styling and photography techniques to capture this slightly less familiar style of flower arranging.
We left brimming with inspiration, new knowledge, new friendships and cameras full of beautiful images. If you get the opportunity to attend a workshop with Eva because you want to elevate your flower photography - do it! Eva has workshops throughout the year listed on her website, and I also highly recommend her photography book which I go back to time and time again.
Rachel, thank you for hosting such a fabulous day. I can’t wait to see what workshops you have planned next.