Photography courtesy of Yukiko Masuda.
I discovered Yukiko Masuda’s thoughtful photographs on Instagram, where I quickly fell in love with a small study of fall hues that she captioned “autumn palette.” On her feed, @nonihana, the flower stylist and wire-work artist photographs the arrangements and wire-and-glass vases she creates in her Tokyo studio.
Spotted on Instagram: an “autumn palette” of blush-colored hydrangea, green-stemmed daisies, faded leaves, and orange berries.
Coral dahlias are delicately arranged in simple glass vases.
“I control the amount of light coming in through the window with a board. If it’s too bright, I cover the window with it, allowing me to get the right amount of light on my subject.”
“Try experimenting with different objects for a clean background, such as a simple white board, some natural linen cloth, a wooden table or a black board,” advises Masuda on iPhone Photography School.
Masuda also creates original wire vases and lights. The 5Peace vase, shown, holds small wildflower stems; it’s available through Ex Flowers for 26,000 Yen ($251.26) but is currently sold out.
One of Masuda’s flatlays: summer flowers against a gray background.
A tall, wire-framed Sabi vase by Masuda, also available through Ex Flowers (23,000 Yen or $222.23, currently sold out).
Small wire vases by Masuda display trailing silhouettes.
Masuda creates bouquets and teaches classes on floral arrangement in her Tokyo studio.
Masuda shoots more than flowers. Here, lilac stems are effortless table decoration for an afternoon slice of plum cake.