Pretty, yet powerful in their purpose beyond their aesthetics. Recent studies in the U.S. are finding patients undergoing treatment for cancer experience a reduction in stress and improved equilibrium when viewing pictures of flowers whilst waiting for an appointment.
Read on to understand the emerging benefits of flower photography and why an increasing amount of healthcare environments are displaying pictures of flowers on their walls.
1. Mood Boost
The colour of flowers influence how we feel about ourselves and behave. Colour psychology is an ongoing study into the influence of colour in relation to human emotion and behaviour.
The colour yellow connotes feelings of optimism and happiness (buttercups, tulips, daffodils) whereas blue prompts a sense of calm and relaxation (forget-me-nots and hydrangeas)
The colour of a flower has a major impact on our emotional state, pictures of flowers can elevate mood, evoke feelings of romance in some and prompt a calm response in others.
The colour of a flower has a major influence on our emotional state. According to colour psychology, the colour yellow Yellow (daffodils and buttercups) evoke feelings of happiness and optimism. (C) Photos Nathan Still Photography 2025. All rights reserved. Do not copy or publish without written permission from the Photographer.
2. Cultural Significance
In Western culture, the language of flowers was a main method of communicating with others in the Victorian era - people passed on discreet messages in the form of bouquets.
During the brief blooming season, Japanese culture arranges flower gazing events, often looking to the Cherry Blossom (pictured below) which signifies love, hope and a fresh start. Flower viewing is a tradition in Japan, where people come together to appreciate the fleeting nature of life, to slow down, connect with nature and savour the moment.
The significance of a flower varies from culture to culture and many people tend to read a flower from a cultural standpoint, enhancing their emotional and cultural significance.
Flower gazing events are a tradition in Japanese culture, people come together to slow down, appreciate nature and savour the moment, often looking to the Cherry Blossom which signifies hope, love and new beginnings. (C) Photos Nathan Still Photography 2025. All rights reserved. Do not copy or publish without written permission from the Photographer.
3. Stress Reduction
Studies in the U.S have discovered images of flowers can lower blood pressure and reduce cortisol - the stress hormone - which has a stress reducing effect on the mind and body.
Viewing images of flowers can prompt a relaxation response in the body, leading to a lower heart rate and easing of muscle tension, reducing overall stress levels. (C) Photos Nathan Still Photography 2025. All rights reserved. Do not copy or publish without written permission from the Photographer.
Flower photography has the ability to reduce stress, boost mood, elevate energy levels and enhance the emotional connection between people due to the cultural significance of the flower in the image. They're not just pretty pictures, they have a widespread positive effect which goes beyond their visual beauty and as a source of artistic inspiration.
Start the Conversation.
Do you decorate your home or office with images of flowers? Does flower photography offer a source of motivation on a tough day or a moment of calm and clarity during a chaotic workday in the office?
Comment below on the value of flower photography in relation to your overall wellbeing.
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of floral photography as a form of visual communication.
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