Styling Florals and Plants and Wholesale Purchasing

If you are a Lifestyle Photo Stylist, you probably style (or will be) styling florals and plants for your assignments. Although, oftentimes wardrobe and food styling assignments require floraIs or plants. I have styled interiors and food and both require some type of “life” added to the shots.  My suggestion is to always use fresh (Use faux “in a pinch” or if your faux is really high quality)  If you are using faux, and using a clear vase, always remember to put water in the vase, so it “looks real and fresh”!   In post here, I have included a styling assignment I did for Armstrong Floors.  This is an example where faux is ok to use.  I used very little and the focus was the floor, so the "environment" around floor should be minimal.

While you can always get your plants and florals at a local nursery or flower store (or even the grocery store), my suggestion is to register at your nearest Floral Wholesale Market.  Even if you don’t purchase plants and florals often, it is completely worth registering because it's cost effective and the variety is great and fresh when you do need them!

If you do not have a wholesale flower market in your area, shop around to local garden centers and find one that you can work with on a regular basis and get to know the owner and staff.  If you can do business with them on a regular basis, you can most likely negotiate lower prices.  Or, if it's an option with your client, you may be able to barter the price down a bit if photographer or client is willing to let them (Garden Center) use the photos you style.  Or maybe you or your client can tag them in Instagram posts. That's maybe something you would do anyway.

Remember that money is not the only currency  ~ negotiate and barter. 🔑 I always start and maintain relationships with companies that I can barter and borrow from.  One rule I have:  It has to be "win-win" for everyone.  I would not ask a company for something without it being beneficial for them as well.  You want it to be mutually beneficial.

TIPS FOR PURCHASING PLANTS AND FLORALS AT FLOWER MARKET:


Business License & Tax ID. You will need a Business License to register for an account with a wholesale flower market. You will also be asked to provide your tax ID number.  (I would suggest getting Tax ID number and not using your social security number.)   As I say with everything relative to your styling business ~ make it official.  (Get a Business License and a Tax ID number) While some places say they offer or guarantee wholesale prices, true wholesalers do have much better deals. When starting your account, you will be asked not only for your Tax ID (EIN) but also for your business name, address, and a list of names of anyone that is allowed to shop with your business account. (If you are hiring an assistant and they will be selecting or picking up your flowers and plants at any point, make sure to give them your assistants name.)

Be Prepared.  Get pricing sheets, purchasing instructions and hours. (Also, get to the wholesale market early for the best selections!)  Oftentimes, there will be different vendors that you can purchase from or it will just be one “market” and you will purchase through that one market or company. Bring any supplies you think you will need, such as tarp to protect your car, garden gloves, twine, ways to hold your purchases in car, etc.   (For example, ways to hold your plants so they will not tip during your car ride and buckets of water to hold your cut flowers.  Be prepared.

Be Flexible. Buy In Season. While you may go to the market with a definite plants or flowers in mind, they may not be available or when you get there and see them they may not look too fresh or good to you so you may have to change direction and be flexible.  Once you establish relationships with the market or vendors, you can contact them or speak to them as you purchase items and ask what they will be getting, what is in season, etc. If you can, and it would work for your shot, it would be great to get what is in season, to keep your (your clients) costs down.  (Out of season items can be expensive.)  While roses and peonies are beautiful, be open to other options such as branches, which can be just as beautiful and dramatic for your shots.

Get Florals a Few Days Before Shoot.  Most wholesale companies sell their flowers while the flowers are still tight or closed. It's a good idea to buy a few days before your photo shoot, since most flowers take two to three days to open up.

Keep water fresh.  Clean water is a must for clear vases, so don't forget to change the water before your shoot. If your photo shoot ends up going over a single day, don't worry too much since most fresh flowers will last from 3 to 10 days and can be restyled.

It's worth it to invest time and money. Investing in your selections of plants and florals will make a difference in your shots.  Details matter in photo styling.  The color, freshness, uniqueness of your plants and florals will bring your shots to life.

Image Credit: Armstrong Flooring ｜ Styled by Bonnie Aunchman

Some of my Favorite Inspirational Resources for Floral/Plant Styling:

Over time, you will develop your style when using florals and plants in your shots.  For me, I oftentimes style very clean and simple.  For example, I may use just a couple long ferns to add freshness and life to a shot, or sometimes I use one color to make a arrangement.  Remember that adding plants to your shots should enhance and not overpower.


FLORAL AND PLANTS RESOURCES & INSPIRATION

Books, Sites & Instagram

Selena Lake
Selena Lake Botancial Style
Selena Lake Garden Style

 Justina Blakeney
Jungalow
Plant O Pedia
Instagram

Urban Jungle
Urban Jungle Styling Plants
Instagram

Ariella Chezar Workshop

While Ariella's workshops are an investment geared more toward floral pros, and may not be required for a Photo Stylist, you can learn through Ariella’s images, site, and book. Or if you see a workshop that is in your budget, it would be a great to attend.  Floral Styling is definitely valuable to add to your styling knowledge and will be a great skill set to have in your career.  I have attended Ariella's Workshop and it's great! 

Ariella Flowers
Ariella Chezar The Flower Workshop Book
Instagram

List of  my “Go-To” Plants:

Maidenhair Fern Plant
(My absolute Fav! I love how light and airy it feels)

Succulents
(Gotta love a “low maintenance” succulent!)

Monstera or Fern Leaves
(I usually get cut leaves and place in large vase)

Fiddle Fig Leaf Tree
(These are large and covers large space when you need that)

List of my "Go-To Florals:

Peonies
(My favorite! They also have large blooms, so you just need a couple of them.)

Hydrangea
(Also large blooms & leaves so you just need a couple and they offer color variation and texture)

Billy Balls (Craspedia)
(I add these to arrangements or just by themselves. They are whimsical and modern.)

I hope you find this helpful as you purchase and style with florals and plants!


Bonnie ~


Image Credit ｜ Uncanny Valley via Adobe