Roses, roses, and more beautiful roses! Behind the scenes at a photo shoot
Just before the holidays, we shot a story for an upcoming issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine about rose flower arrangements. I really love this kind of shoot because, not only is it beautiful to look at, but this one, in particular, smelled extraordinarily fabulous, as well. The air was thick with rose perfume! The roses were provided by Harvest Wholesale, importers of superb and unusual cut flowers, and these particular roses were grown in Ecuador, South America. Owners, Humberto and Natan, explained that they, at Harvest Wholesale, work closely with growers everywhere and encourage them to plant unusual varieties. Each flower is tested for longevity and must last a minimum of seven days after cutting. Once cut, Humberto and Natan use their own special methods and nutritional solutions for maximizing the life of each bloom so that the buyer won’t be disappointed.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Beautiful post!
Roses of all shades and sizes!
Humberto and Natan look like they really enjoy their work.
Do you think roses are the most popular flower with woman? If not, they are certainly the second most popular.
I hope that I do not sound "like a nut" but I have been able to keep my bunch of roses looking fresh and vibrant in a vase of water for almost a month.
My secret: I change the water every three days and add a mega drop of bleach to the water with each change.
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, Maine | January 17th, 2009 at 3:09 am
Roses, roses, and more spectacular, stunning and sweet smelling roses to look at. I can almost smell them. What a beautiful thing to see on this frozen frigid wintry day here in Philly. Thanks for the breath of spring, the pictures are gorgeous.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | January 17th, 2009 at 3:20 am
What beautiful photos of the various roses. Have always been partial to this flower (maybe because my middle is Rose might have something to do with it!)
Hope everyone has a nice week-end.
Posted by: Maureen | January 17th, 2009 at 3:40 am
martha i can smell the roses. a beautiful shoot.
Posted by: marty dayton,ohio | January 17th, 2009 at 4:40 am
I can almost smell those beautiful roses and what an aroma it is! Much better than this cup of coffee I'm inhaling. I look forward to seeing them in an upcoming issue of MSL and what a nice surprise to see this blog today! Trish
Posted by: Trish | January 17th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Just gorgeous! How I'm longing for summer and my rose garden now. Thanks for showing us the behind the scenes.
Posted by: Liz@VioletPosy | January 17th, 2009 at 6:25 am
OK, I admit it. . . I am a total behind-the-scenes junky. I just love this stuff!!
The roses are beautiful and it's interesting to see the set-up your experts use to create their stunning MSL photos.
(How about a series of TV segments on the planning and development of an MSL edition?? I'm sure lots of your readers/viewers would LOVE them.)
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | January 17th, 2009 at 8:15 am
What a treat to photograph roses. Thanks for the gallery photos of the shoot. I love to see how photographers make magic.
xoxo
http://www.sushipie.squarespace.com
Posted by: sushipie | January 17th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Dear Martha,
These are such beautiful roses! Will you be giving us those tips on how to maximize the lifespan of roses in that particular magazine issue?
Posted by: Nazarina Andrychow | January 17th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Oh, wonderful to get to see behind the scenes. Working as a flowerstylist and -photogrpher it's a dream to see you in action. Thank you Martha!
my portfolio: http://doggis.eu
Posted by: Minna Mercke Schmidt | January 17th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Hi Martha, There certainly is more involved in a photo shoot for your beautiful magazine than one might expect. Perfection is the key! Thanks for letting us view this wonderful shoot of these stunning roses. The colors of these beautiful roses are outstanding and to have the "Secret Garden" rose last for two weeks is incredible! I can almost smell the beautiful scent these roses give off. Humberto and Natan certainly have a fantastic company that produces all of these wonderful roses. Can't wait to see the article in MSL magazine. Stay warm. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | January 17th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Sigh!...so beautiful i can smell the fragrance. Makes a cold Canadian day a little brighter!
Posted by: Sherey | January 17th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I am just like MMC a "total behind the scenes junky". Man what I would do to be there to take it all in. Your pictures of the works in progress are fantastic.
Regarding my own roses, bless their hearts they do what they can with what they can. Unfortunately they shatter within a couple of days of being in a vase.
Thanks as always.
Posted by: Margie | January 17th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
That must've smelled divine and I would LOVE a series of TV segments on producing an issue of your wonderful magazine.
Posted by: Kiltfire | January 17th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Beautiful studio! I am drooling over it. What a fantastic place to shoot, no wonder your magazine has such "fresh" photography. I'd love to shoot editorial art someday. Your magazine is such an inspiration.
Posted by: Jennifer Driscoll | January 17th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
A rose is a rose is a rose!
My favorites in case anyone wants to buy me some white long stemmed.
Looking forward to the issue that features the roses.
Now a pix of you & your new chow pup sitting amongst these roses- priceless!
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | January 17th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
The Secret Garden Rose is as big as my head! Did you take any of the roses home?
Posted by: Linda Crispell | January 17th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Martha,
What a beautiful photo shoot of flowers. Ahh, spring is coming!
I used to work with flowers and must say, roses are challenging to keep for 7 days but I have done it!
I am interested in that "Secret Garden" two week rose. What type of rose is it, a hybrid? Is it only available through the wholesaler?
BTW...I noticed the day was not terribly sunny one for the shoot. Was that done on purpose or did they bounce some flash to create a more natural feel from the window light? Just wondered.
Fantastic shoot and can't wait for the MSL issue!
Keep the sunny, warm pics coming!
Paula M.
Posted by: Paula M. | January 17th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Dear Martha!
Amazing amazing roses with beautiful and fresh colors. Love the Secret Garden roses amazing size and texture. I can imagine the rose perfume in the air.
Can't wait to get the upcoming issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine.
God Bless
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | January 17th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Hi, Martha,
Such beauty---and so many different kinds of roses! Thanks to Humberto and Natan. The Secret Garden rose is beautiful---and huge. To have it last for two weeks would be wonderful. The aroma of all those roses together must have perfumed the room. I can almost smell them now.
Thanks again.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | January 18th, 2009 at 12:55 am
To answer Paula M. - we can schedule a photo shoot but we cannot schedule the weather. That's why we rely on professional photographers and their professional equipment to obtain professional results.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | January 18th, 2009 at 3:13 am
That last shot of their prized rose was just breathtaking. I never saw a rose bloom that big.
I cant wait for that issue to come out.
Posted by: Norbie Kamantigue | January 18th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Oh Martha what a fun photo shoot to attend! I loved the Secret Garden rose-wow it so big! I bet the aroma was wonderful with all of those gorgeous roses! Looking forward to seeing them in the magazine!
Hope you had a nice weekend~Smiles~Tam!
Posted by: Tam | January 18th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
wow.. these are beautiful roses.. I love 'em .. And the way these have been photographed, its just amazing.
http://SaveFewBucks.blogspot.com
Posted by: Ishan | January 18th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Who doesn't love Roses!! Beautiful
Posted by: Linda H. | January 19th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Just love these behind-the-scenes shoots. I would LOVE to shoot for Martha someday!! Please give my regards to Sang.
Posted by: Derek Hatfield | January 19th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Wow.
I've recently come to the conclusion that you will hire me to do photo styling one day.
Posted by: The Bitter Foodie | January 21st, 2009 at 6:16 am
Smashing Roses.
When you need rare, long-lasting, old world roses that no-one else grows.. give us a ring.
My sister Laura and I grow our own garden roses, sustainably and organic.
We have over 70 vartieties of fragrant rose available at different times of the year.
I have been able to extend our growing season in Los Angeles to 10 months out of the year without a greenhouse.
Keep it up!
Blake
Hoot & Heart Co.
http://www.hootandheart.com
hootandheart.squarespace.com
Posted by: Blake | August 7th, 2009 at 3:54 am