Dahlia Photography

Dahlias are one of my favorite subjects to photograph, especially in late summer when their extraordinary range of color, shape, and layered petals fills the garden. From tightly structured blooms to loose, almost painterly forms, there is always something new to find. I often photograph dahlias in soft natural light using selective focus and shallow depth of field, allowing surrounding flowers and foliage to dissolve into color while a small part of the bloom remains sharply defined. Their layered petals are especially well suited to this quieter, more atmospheric approach. This collection brings together dahlia photographs made over many seasons, from intimate close studies to broader garden compositions. Fine-art prints are available in a variety of sizes and finishes. If you are looking for a particular color, variety, or composition that you don’t see here, please ask—I may have it in the archive. To order a print please email me at Mike Reid Photography

Order Prints

Dahlia Beauties Entangled A soft, impressionistic close-up of brightly colored dahlias, with layers of pink, magenta, yellow, and pastel tones blending together in a dreamy abstract...

Dahlia Beauties Entangled

A soft, impressionistic close-up of brightly colored dahlias, with layers of pink, magenta, yellow, and pastel tones blending together in a dreamy abstract composition.
Pink Collarette Dahlia A delicate close-up portrait of a soft pink collarette dahlia, revealing layered petals and intricate inner detail against a smooth, dreamy background.

Pink Collarette Dahlia

A delicate close-up portrait of a soft pink collarette dahlia, revealing layered petals and intricate inner detail against a smooth, dreamy background.
Soft Pink Dahlia Glow A dreamy close-up of a soft pink dahlia, with layered petals unfolding gently around the center and fading into a luminous pastel background.

Soft Pink Dahlia Glow

A dreamy close-up of a soft pink dahlia, with layered petals unfolding gently around the center and fading into a luminous pastel background.
Dahlia Bloom in a Sea of Pink A single dahlia bloom emerges against a soft wash of pink, lavender, and green, with only a small portion of the flower held in focus. The shallow depth of...

Dahlia Bloom in a Sea of Pink

A single dahlia bloom emerges against a soft wash of pink, lavender, and green, with only a small portion of the flower held in focus. The shallow depth of field turns the surrounding garden into a dreamy, painterly background of color and light.
Pink and Yellow Cactus Dahlia Petals Long, curling petals radiate from the warm yellow center of a cactus dahlia, edged in vivid pink and fading softly into the surrounding garden. Selective focus...

Pink and Yellow Cactus Dahlia Petals

Long, curling petals radiate from the warm yellow center of a cactus dahlia, edged in vivid pink and fading softly into the surrounding garden. Selective focus emphasizes the graceful petal tips while the background dissolves into layers of pastel color.
Pink Dahlia Emerging Through Soft Focus A richly colored pink dahlia comes into focus through layers of surrounding blooms, with only the flower’s center and inner petals sharply defined. Shallow...

Pink Dahlia Emerging Through Soft Focus

A richly colored pink dahlia comes into focus through layers of surrounding blooms, with only the flower’s center and inner petals sharply defined. Shallow depth of field turns the rest of the garden into a soft wash of pink and green.
Pink and White Pompon Dahlias in Soft Focus A cluster of pink and white pompon dahlias photographed with selective focus, allowing one patterned bloom to emerge clearly while surrounding flowers dissolve...

Pink and White Pompon Dahlias in Soft Focus

A cluster of pink and white pompon dahlias photographed with selective focus, allowing one patterned bloom to emerge clearly while surrounding flowers dissolve into soft layers of magenta, white, and green. The shallow depth of field gives the composition a gentle, almost floating quality.
Crimson Dahlia Center in Soft Focus An intimate view into the center of a richly colored dahlia, where deep crimson petals curl inward around a pale green core. Extremely shallow depth of field...

Crimson Dahlia Center in Soft Focus

An intimate view into the center of a richly colored dahlia, where deep crimson petals curl inward around a pale green core. Extremely shallow depth of field turns the surrounding petals into a soft wash of pink, burgundy, and cream.
Crimson Dahlia Spiral An intimate close-up of a crimson dahlia, with tightly layered petals curling inward toward a luminous cream-colored center. Shallow depth of field softens the...

Crimson Dahlia Spiral

An intimate close-up of a crimson dahlia, with tightly layered petals curling inward toward a luminous cream-colored center. Shallow depth of field softens the outer petals, emphasizing the flower’s spiral structure and rich burgundy tones.
Dark Fuchsia Dahlias in Soft Focus Rich fuchsia dahlias fill the frame with layered petals and saturated color, set against a softly blurred green garden background. Shallow depth of field...

Dark Fuchsia Dahlias in Soft Focus

Rich fuchsia dahlias fill the frame with layered petals and saturated color, set against a softly blurred green garden background. Shallow depth of field separates the blooms while keeping the overall feeling lush and painterly.