A great photo transports you to another time and place. While looking for an image to fill a two-page spread in Erin Schanen’s article, Three Styles, One Gorgeous Garden, most of us gravitated toward option 5, the one that made the cut. But something about option 6 kept drawing me in, and I couldn’t quite figure it out until I noticed our editorial director, Danielle Sherry, deep in the garden with her camera. That’s what made this photo feel like home.
It’s easy to love this job when you’re photographing a glorious garden in perfect morning light, or choosing between eight amazing photos to fill a spread. Most of Danielle’s time is now spent on the less lovable aspects of publishing, such as budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating endless details across the print and digital products we produce. So it brought me immense joy to catch a glimpse of her out in the field, where she is still an absolute rock star of a garden photographer.
Gardens have healing power, which is much needed when news from the outside world feels overwhelming. The bonds we form with other people who love plants can also be a source of immense strength. This is the spirit we try to capture with each Fine Gardening article. Often, our editors have traveled to the garden, met the author, and photographed the scenes that accompany the story. We want you to know how a garden feels, not just how it looks.
This winter, I hope you will have a chance to get outside for some restorative garden adventures where you can meet new folks. Perhaps you could check out a show at a public garden, or organize an informal winter garden tour with friends. Author Michael Barbour, Create a Water-Wise Design That Isn’t Dry and Boring, got his start in horticulture by volunteering at Denver Botanic Gardens and joining a rock gardening group. Do you think you could find time in the coming year to make some similar connections?
And don’t forget to enjoy your own dormant garden during the winter break. This is dreaming season, and it will be easier to visualize all those fabulous new plants you’ll be adding next year when you are out there, part of the scene, like Danielle taking photos in Erin’s garden.
Carol Collins, Editor in Chief
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Quick thought — Such a gentle approach — I really like it. Will try it.
PS — This is a keeper — saving for later. Great share 🌿