Your Projects Captured in Pictures!
Resources
I’ve gathered together some local resources that I think are informative, fun, or both! Below you will find:
Checklist for a better photo shoot
Weather in San Diego today
Links to local resources
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”
— Luther Burbank
American botanist
Preparing for the photoshoot
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your photo shoot. I’ve made a checklist to go over with your client before the shoot. Preparation before the day of the shoot will save you time and money, and most importantly — set you up for great photos.
Get permission from the homeowner for us to take photos. Ask them if they are keeping up on the maintenance of the yard. Swing by the property yourself beforehand to see that the landscape is up to your standards. If not, schedule a cleanup before the shoot.
Here are some details that can clutter your images (you may have more site specific points to add to your list):
▢ Is the lawn trimmed and leaves raked?
▢ Pick up sticks and branches
▢ Are bushes and trees trimmed?
▢ Remove and store hoses and tools
▢ Sweep sidewalks
▢ Clean pools and fountains
▢ Uncover pool or hot tub
▢ Uncover grill and patio sets
▢ Open umbrellas
▢ Wipe down and put cushions on outdoor furniture
▢ Put toys and bicycles away
▢ Clean up after pets
▢ Remove newspapers or handouts from driveway
▢ Remove garbage cans from curb or driveway and store them out of site
▢ Move cars out of the driveway (do not park on the street in front of the house if possible)
▢ Put pets in the house during our visit
Useful links for gardeners in San Diego
The San Diego Horticultural Society is a great resource to connect with the local San Diego gardening community. They offer monthly meetings with speakers that cover a broad range of gardening topics. The Horticultural Society also offers workshops and organizes the Spring Garden Tour every year where the public can view private gardens.
San Diego Horticultural Society
The Pacific Horticulture Society publishes a quarterly magazine featuring West Coast gardeners, designers and horticulturists. They also have guided tours around the world that focus on gardens.
Pacific Horticulture Society
The Water Conservation Garden is a great place to visit and see beautiful examples of water conservation and gardening in practice. This is a great resource for ideas and guidance on low water gardening. And best of all admission to the garden is free!
The Water Conservation Garden
The Master Gardener Association of San Diego County is a great resource for gardening information. The Master Gardeners are the volunteer arm of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE). Volunteers answer questions about horticulture and pest management, run school programs and some are even available as speakers on different gardening topics. Their website is a wealth of information!
Master Gardener Association of San Diego County
A Growing Passion is hosted by Nan Sterman, an award-winning garden writer, gardening expert, and horticulturist. This is a great show filled with interesting interviews and information, as well as some humor. Nan also contributes to regional and national publications, including Sunset and Better Homes and Gardens. She has written three books that focus on gardening in the South West. Hot Colors, Dry Garden, California Gardener’s Guide Volume II, and Water-wise Plants for the Southwest. Nan also hosts fun and informative garden tours around the globe. I was fortunate to join her Romantic Garden Tour of Spain in 2016 and had a fabulous time (and learned a lot as well)!
A Growing Passion
Plant Soup
The San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Gardens) has a variety of gardens on 37 acres in Encinitas. The gardens include art and child friendly garden activities. It is a fascinating place to explore, learn and relax. They offer workshops, special events and even sell some plants.
San Diego Botanic Garden
