Irises are among the first flowers to return after winter, bringing rich blues, purples, yellows, and whites into the garden as spring takes hold. Their sculptural petals and strong lines make them both beautiful and challenging subjects to photograph.
I especially enjoy working with Japanese irises, including a patch close to home that I return to each season. Using soft natural light, selective focus, and shallow depth of field, I look for ways to simplify their complicated forms and let individual petals, curves, and colors stand apart from the surrounding garden.
This collection brings together iris photographs made over many spring seasons, from intimate single blooms to softer studies of flowers fading into the background. Fine-art prints are available in a variety of sizes and finishes. To order a print please email me at
Mike Reid Photography
Iris Photography