Petals
Petals is a visual narrative that traces the arc of a relationship - its tenderness, tension, and eventual transformation. Shot in the rose garden at the New York Botanical Garden this past June, the series uses natural beauty as a metaphor. Surrounded by lush, almost dreamlike flora, the subjects are entangled not just with each other but with the quiet inner complexities of growth, decay, and renewal.
The symbolism of the rose garden was intentional. Roses speak of romance and sacrifice, of wisdom and fleeting beauty. When petals fall, they decompose into the soil, nourishing new life. This cycle mirrors how we experience love: mysterious in timing, often bittersweet, and essential to our evolution.
With only 90 minutes to shoot this at the Botanical Garden, I didn’t want to sacrifice quality, but knew we needed some motion!
Project Info
LocationNY Botanical Garden
ProductionEssence Picture Company
LooksThe Cool Girl NYC, Davide, Turning Tides, Tasan, Kenzo, Steilmanns
EditorialLUCY’S Magazine
Credits
Director / DP / PhotographerCullen Blanchfield
First AssistantCalli Westra
StylistMichaela Ceci
HMUVera Pun
TalentTim Vagapov, Johanna Stittabow