Meet the Maker: artist, Emma Bass

You’d be forgiven for thinking the perfectly imperfect compositions of technicolour flowers – blush peonies, cobalt hydrangeas, roses, dahlias, poppies and pansies exploding from vases like fireworks – are masterpieces from an experienced florist. But Emma’s approach is entirely photographic, guided by an intuitive sense of composition developed over years behind the camera.

“I approach my floral portraits much like composing a classical still life – not as a florist, but as a photographer who’s always worked with light, balance and form,” she says.

Each artwork is part of a limited-edition series – no reprints are made once an edition is sold out. Pieces begin with an instinctive response to a bloom or object, followed by a slow, intentional process of arranging, lighting and capturing the moment, paying close attention to rhythm, negative space and emotional resonance. The compositions are built in real time, guided by the rules of visual harmony that Emma has used throughout her photographic career. 

Emma describes her central Auckland home as a literal Garden of Eden – “lush, abundant and overflowing with botanical beauty” – the perfect place to feed both eye and spirit. She sources blooms from her own garden, as well as from friends, family, local florists and roadside forages. She arranges them in her extensive collection of vintage vases making compositions with life, character and a little unruliness.

“I like when things feel slightly off-kilter, a little wild, a little human. Nature is my constant muse; its beauty never ceases to ground and astonish me,” she says.

Since she first began creating in her home studio overlooking her garden, Emma has sold artworks to private collectors. Many of her photographs also adorn the walls of hospitals, hospices, oncology units and wellness centres across the country, because flowers do have the ability to lift the human spirit, something Emma witnessed first-hand during her years working as a nurse.

“In healthcare environments, where stress and vulnerability are often heightened, the presence of flowers has an immediate and palpable effect. They soften the space, bring a sense of calm, and remind people – patients and staff alike – that beauty still exists, even in difficult moments,” Emma says. 

Studies have shown that flowers reduce stress, lower anxiety and elevate mood. And there’s also something deeper at play.

“Flowers are universal symbols – of love, celebration, remembrance and renewal. They speak a language we instinctively understan. Their fleeting nature mirrors our own – the way we bloom, fade, regenerate. That impermanence, instead of being sorrowful, can feel strangely comforting. It's a reminder to be present, to notice, to feel. In that way, flowers are not just decorative – they’re deeply human,” Emma says.