While driving around North Texas, you may have noticed the state flower of Texas starting to bloom along roadsides and in open fields. Not coincidentally, you may have also noticed pictures with said flower popping up in your social media feed.
Bluebonnets are a photogenic wildflower Texans love to photograph. April Christine Photography always expects to be busy whenever spring has sprung.
“I think I have done 11 or 12 sessions in the last week and a half,” said owner April Kujawa. A field in Grapevine near Highway 114 and Trinity Parkway provides her the bluebonnets and space, although she thinks the extended cold weather deeper into the year took a bite out of this season’s bloom.
“It has gotten a little fuller in the last week or so,” said Kujawa. “They are not in bloom very long and tend to get trampled on after a few weeks.”
But no matter how many or how few bluebonnets you have for the perfect shot, Kujawa said there are a few tricks to give your photos some flower power.
“The lower down you shoot, the bigger the flowers will look. It will give you the illusion there are more flowers and they are larger.”
Shooting in broad sunlight may seem like a good idea, but Kujawa said it will create harsh shadows. Overcast days provide a better shooting setting but the best time is the “golden hour,” either an hour after the sun comes up or the hour before it goes down, when the sunlight is not as intense and gives the photo a perfect golden glow.
The City of Ennis prides themselves on providing the best photo-ops in the state with their “Bluebonnet Trails”, a series of roads and public parks maintained for growing a full crop of bluebonnets to attract those flower photographers.
On the Bluebonnet Trails website, they provide a few tips for being respectful and safe while getting a photo:
1. If you see a beautiful field, please do not stop in the middle of the road. Pull safely over to the side and do not block traffic.
2. There are many families visiting with small children. So please drive slowly and watch out for kids.
3. Please respect private property. Please do not cross over any fences or open any gates.
4. Please pick up after yourself. Do not litter.
5. Watch where you sit, stand or step. It is the country and there may be critters, ants, snakes, etc.
6. Do not trample bluebonnets. Please leave the area as beautiful as you found it.