(Article and photography courtesy of Gardenscapes Studio)

By Laurel Fink

What does an attorney who has operated a divorce law firm for over 20 years do for relaxation after a long week of duking out alimony and child custody issues in court? One attorney we know grabs her camera gear and heads for the countryside for a breath of bucolic air and the opportunity to capture captivating images of the natural world.

Why should this attorney's weekend hobby be of interest to landscapers and gardeners? Says lawyer and garden photographer Laurel Fink, "what started as a hobby became a passion and then an obsession. When I found myself thinking about photography while waiting for my cases to be heard in court, I knew it was time to scale back on the practice of law and devote more energy to making photographs. But, I needed to find a niche, a way to turn my passion for landscape and nature photography into a successful enterprise." Laurel's love of plants, flowers and nature provided the connection to anyone involved in landscape and gardening activities, whether for business or pleasure.

Laurel founded Gardenscapes Studio, an entirely unique type of photographic studio. Solely owned and operated by Laurel, a long-time landscape photographer, Gardenscapes Studio is devoted to photographic projects related to landscape and gardening. Unlike marketing firms with in-house photography studios, that offer wide-ranging commercial and product photograph services, Gardenscapes Studio is singular in purpose: to produce garden and landscape images of extraordinary grace and beauty.

Gardenscapes Studio is the only commercial studio we know of that concentrates solely on garden and landscape images. Why this narrow focus? The answer is simple. The driving force behind Gardenscapes Studio is Laurel's dedication to photographing and sharing her vision of the natural world. It is a world that includes landscaping arts, and the various ways we are inspired to create landscapes where people take haven in the beauty of nature as nurtured by gardeners. Calling on her years of experience as a fine art photographer, Laurel brings technical expertise to all aspects of garden photography, including lighting (particularly in the use of natural light), composition, color, as well as traditional monochrome and duotone techniques to the commercial images created for a variety of client needs at Gardenscapes Studio.

Gardenscapes Studio works with business clients to create effective web images, brochures, catalogues and fine art reproductions used to market landscape architecture, design, garden products, and more. Unlike many stock photography and marketing firms, however, Gardenscapes Studio does not create images that merely report or record products.

Laurel recognizes that while it is important to accurately depict the color and design of a garden in a photographic image, the photographer needs to capture something more. Says Laurel, "this something more is really lacking in the images currently available to garden stores and landscape firms." Gardenscapes Studio goes a step further, because the images created for commercial use adhere to the principles that guide fine art landscape photographers. Lighting is exquisite and garden images glow. In one image, the greenery is soft and takes an appropriate background to bold and dominate blooms; in another image, the petals of complimentary blooms radiate subdued, but always accurate, color. Garden structures, such as ponds, benches and arches are shot at angles and in light that reveal the vision of the landscaper who built the garden. This way, the viewer sees more than just objects - the garden design is seen through the eyes and imagination of the landscaper.

Laurel explains that "when your potential customer browses a catalogue or a website, wanting to see the type of landscape design available, you want that customer to see more than just a snapshot of your product. The customer should see the beauty of a garden and how the landscape enhances our homes and lives. I want your customers to see that the bench or walkway, for instance, isn't just "there," but serves a purpose integrated into the entire landscape and beautifying it." Gardenscapes Studio creates photographs that reflect a fine art aesthetic, are compelling and therefore, uniquely effective for garden-related business marketing.

Business clients can select images from Gardenscapes Studio's own library of images; alternatively, images can be custom-ordered. For clients seeking custom-ordered images, Laurel will either meet with the client on site for a photo shoot, or create images based on specifications provided by the client. This flexibility allows access to affordable quality images that go beyond "stock." Whatever the budget, and no matter the size of the job, Gardenscapes Studio will provide images with a signature fine art quality.

In addition, Gardenscapes Studio provides photographic packages for private homeowners, master gardeners, gardening clubs and enthusiasts. Clients can order custom images from their own gardens to be presented as wall art, as well as personalized note cards and stationary.

Finally, Gardenscapes Studio produces and sells note cards and stationary from images in the Studio's growing library of garden and landscape images. These can be purchased directly from the Studio, but look for card packages in shops and galleries as well. Currently, a web site is being designed for Gardenscapes Studio, as it expands beyond the local market in southeast Michigan, where Laurel founded the Studio. Look for it on the Internet in the near future. In the meantime, a small gallery from Gardenscapes Studio can be found amongst the galleries on Laurel's personal website, www.photoscapesbylaurelfink.com. Additional images can be provided for review via email.

The Studio is equipped with high resolution digital equipment, which translates to more efficient work flow, quicker response for clients, and most importantly, promotes a partnership between photographer and client. Laurel explains: "I can turn projects around for my clients very quickly and efficiently. Digital technology means more flexibility, without compromising quality, and use of the Internet, with private on-line galleries, for instance, I can engage my clients in more efficient and prompt communication. And a satisfied client is the bottom line for Gardenscapes Studio.

If you like the images you see here and are interested in retaining Gardenscapes Studio for your landscape photography needs, you can contact Laurel Fink at laurelfinkphotos@comcast.net. Whether you are looking for a custom fine art print from your own garden or are interested in leasing an image to market your garden-related business, Gardenscapes Studio is the only photographic studio we know specializing only in garden and landscape photography.