Some photographs are carefully planned. Others happen because of a moment, a gift, or a spark of curiosity.
Lily Glow was born during one of the most unusual periods of our lives—the spring of 2020, when much of the world was sheltering in place during the pandemic.
One day, I received a stunning bouquet of lavender lilies. They were unlike any flowers I had ever seen. The blossoms were large and luxurious, their fragrance filled the room, and the delicate lavender petals seemed to glow from within. As a photographer, I immediately recognized that these flowers deserved more than a passing glance. Their beauty was temporary, and I knew that if I didn’t photograph them quickly, the moment would be gone forever.
With travel canceled, workshops postponed, and everyone spending more time at home, I suddenly had something photographers rarely have—time. Instead of watching the lilies slowly fade, I decided to make them the subject of an extended creative project.
What began as a simple floral photograph evolved into one of the most rewarding artistic journeys of my career.
Inspired by a Master
For years, I had admired the work of photographer Harold Davis and his signature botanical technique known as Photographing Flowers for Transparency. His images reveal flowers in a way that feels almost magical, showcasing delicate details that are often hidden from view.
I had studied the technique but never fully committed to learning it. The pandemic gave me the perfect opportunity.
I set up a lightbox and carefully arranged the lily blossoms on its illuminated surface. The light shining through the petals revealed intricate textures, veins, and subtle color transitions that would never be visible under ordinary lighting.
At that moment, I knew I had found something special.
The Technical Side
Creating the image required much more than simply placing flowers on a lightbox and pressing the shutter.
The first challenge was capturing a series of perfectly aligned exposures. Because the flowers needed to remain in exactly the same position throughout the sequence, I mounted my camera on a sturdy tripod and worked carefully to maintain precise registration between every frame.
I photographed a stack of five images, beginning at five stops overexposed and ending at one stop overexposed. The purpose of the exposure series was to capture varying levels of detail and translucency throughout the petals.
For consistency, I used:
- Manual focus
- A tripod
- Aperture set to f/22
- Shutter speed adjustments for each exposure
Keeping the aperture constant was important because it maintained the same depth of field throughout the entire sequence. Only the shutter speed changed between exposures.
The actual photography session was surprisingly straightforward. The real challenge would come later.
Where the Magic Happened
Many photographers assume that the camera creates the image. In reality, some photographs are born in post-production.
Once the exposure series was complete, I moved into Photoshop to begin the process of blending the images together.
Using layer masks and careful painting techniques, I selectively revealed portions of each exposure to create the transparent, luminous effect that characterizes this style of botanical photography.
This was not a technical exercise alone—it was an artistic one.
There was no formula telling me exactly which parts to reveal or hide. Every decision involved interpretation and personal taste. I would work on the image for a while, then step away. Later, I would return with fresh eyes and continue refining the layers.
The process became almost meditative.
Slowly, the flowers transformed from simple botanical subjects into something more ethereal.
Creating the Glow
The original image featured a pure white background, making it a classic high-key photograph.
While the white background was beautiful, I wanted something more expressive. During post-processing, I experimented with color and eventually chose a soft lavender tone that complemented the natural color of the lilies.
The challenge was preserving the luminous quality of the petals.
Rather than allowing the flowers to blend into the background, I maintained a subtle halo of light around the edges of the petals. This glow became one of the defining characteristics of the image and ultimately inspired its title: Lily Glow.
The effect created a sense of light radiating outward from the blossoms while still preserving the delicate details within the petals.
A Story Left to the Viewer
One of my favorite elements in the image is the way the flower stigmas appear to touch.
Some viewers immediately notice this detail and begin to imagine a story. Others simply appreciate the elegant shapes and lines.
For me, the image was never intended to suggest anything specific. Instead, it invites interpretation. The touching forms hint at a relationship or connection while leaving the meaning entirely up to the viewer.
That ambiguity is one of the reasons I continue to love the photograph years later.
Days of Discovery
What surprised me most was how deeply I became immersed in photographing the lilies.
For days, I experimented with different arrangements, compositions, and lighting variations. Every session revealed something new. A slight turn of a petal, a different overlap of blossoms, or a subtle change in perspective would completely transform the image.
I never grew bored.
Instead, the flowers became a creative playground during a time when the world felt uncertain and restricted.
The project reminded me that inspiration doesn’t always require exotic locations or elaborate productions. Sometimes extraordinary subjects are waiting on your kitchen table.
An Unexpected Honor
After completing the series, I submitted several images for Professional Photographers of America (PPA) competition.
To my delight, Lily Glow was accepted into the prestigious PPA Loan Collection. Another image from the same lily project was also selected.
For photographers familiar with competition, inclusion in the Loan Collection represents a significant achievement and is among the highest honors awarded through PPA’s image competition process.
What began as a bouquet of flowers and a desire to learn a new technique had evolved into award-winning artwork.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, Lily Glow represents much more than a floral photograph.
It reminds me of a season when the world slowed down and creativity found room to flourish. It taught me the value of patience, experimentation, and seeing familiar subjects in new ways.
Most importantly, it reinforced a lesson I have learned repeatedly throughout my photographic journey: extraordinary images are often hiding in ordinary moments.
Sometimes all it takes is a beautiful bouquet of lilies, a lightbox, and the willingness to explore.
