How Garden Photographer Stephen Studd Uses First Light To Capture The ‘Perfect Image’
Contributions From STEPHEN STUDD
Stephen Studd is an award-winning plant photographer who has been working as a freelancer for over 30 years. Stephen won the RHS Photographer of the Year award in 2011 and his work has been published in Elle, The Guardian and The Times. He is also the Chair of the PGPA and is a committee member of the Garden Media Guild.
Working as a Photographer for over 30 years, Stephen Studd stepped back from the travel aspect of his freelance career to specialise in flower and garden photography, which he developed a passion for in 2008.
His work has since been featured in various popular publications and he has worked with numerous high-profile clients, including the RHS.
Stephen is also the Chair of the Professional Garden Photographers Association and a Garden Media Guild committee member.
I spoke to Stephen as he shared how he captures the perfect image, why he began photographing plants and some new projects in the pipeline.
Please note that the imagery used in this article has been provided with permission from Stephen Studd. All images are copyrighted.
How Did You Get Into Photography And Garden Photography In Particular?
“In art class at school we were shown how to print a black and white photograph from a negative in the darkroom,” Stephen begins.
“When the image started to appear in the chemical tray from a blank sheet of photographic paper, it was a life-changing moment and I knew I wanted to be a photographer.
“I took an A-level in Photography at college and went on to study Photography and Film as a degree at the London College of Printing in London. I then went on to become a professional freelance travel and landscape photographer, travelling the world for 30 years and living the dream.
“During that time, in 2008 I was commissioned to take photographs for a book by Rachel Corby called ‘The Medicine Garden’, illustrating medicinal herbs, which was a big move away from my travel photography.
“This was another life-changing moment, as I moved into garden photography.”
What Is It About Plants And Gardens In Particular?
“I have gardening in my blood, passed on from my grandfather, who was a Head Gardener in Leeds, and from my father, who was an amazing gardener himself,” he shares.
“My travel photography career took me away from the UK a lot and I lived in a flat in London with no garden. When I moved to Wales, I finally had a garden that was overgrown and I designed and built a new organic garden there.
“We moved to Gloucestershire, where I live now, and had a blank canvas to work with and an organic no-dig allotment. Growing plants that you like, especially now as a garden photographer, also means you have subject matter to photograph.
“I love growing organic vegetables and fruit which are great subjects for my photography. I also enjoy creating and developing a garden and I am lucky that our garden has great light in it for photography.
“I also travel to photograph gardens in locations around the UK and love to see how they have been put together.”
How Do You Go About Capturing The ‘Perfect Image’?
“As with my travel and landscape photography, early starts are a big part of it. Getting to a location before the sun rises is essential for capturing that beautiful first light.
“For me, garden photography is all about backlighting and softer light which you get at this time of day.”
What Has Been One Of Your Favourite Experiences During Your Career?
“Hanging out of a helicopter for a photo shoot that I was commissioned to photograph in the Maldives,” says Stephen.
“This was before drone photography!”
Can You Explain Some Of The Challenges With Garden Photography?
“I’m sure every garden photographer will say the weather, as we are a bit obsessed with it,” he jokes.
“Wind and rain are obviously the most challenging, as photoshoots have to be worked around until they are ideal for photography. You have to be very patient when waiting for the right conditions, which I luckily am!
“Of course, there have to be the right light conditions for a particular time when a garden is looking its best, and these don’t always match together. A good example would be this year’s [2023’s] challenging summer.”
How Do You Go About Photographing Gardens? What Is Unique About Your Process?
“Planning a photo shoot around the best light conditions is essential, which means pre-dawn starts. I have a camper van which helps with being near or on location to start the day.
“I wouldn’t say I have a unique process, as all garden photography is about capturing beautiful light on a garden at a particular time.
“You have to be prepared to get up very early and work until late, which can mean very long days in the summer, but it has always remained an immense pleasure to be on location before the sun rises and before it sets to capture the light at these times of the day.”
What Advice Would You Give Anyone Starting Out With Garden Photography?
“I advise you to follow your passion and develop your style,” he shares.
“Try not to imitate others and go where your photography takes you. I was fortunate to learn the craft of photography at a degree level, which taught me the technical side of photography.
“However, you can teach yourself too, as there are so many resources on the internet and workshops to go on. I enjoy running workshops on garden photography and truly believe in photographers finding their own unique style.
“Garden photography, like travel and landscape photography, is all about capturing the beauty of gardens and plants in lovely light.”
What’s Next For You?
“Last year I started a new project called the Garden Photography Gallery which is an online shop for fine art garden and flower photography prints and greeting cards,” explains Stephen.
“I am building up new collections of images to populate it with and will start to showcase different garden photographers and their photography on the site.
“On top of that, I am always busy photographing gardens for clients, features and stock.”
