From Field to Frame: The Floral Photography of Jennifer Opheim

Without your donation, some stories vanish. Support Decorah News. DECORAH — Local floral enthusiasts may know Jennifer Opheim as the owner of Bloom Flower Farm, where lush, seasonal arrangements make their way into homes and businesses across the Decorah area. This winter, however, Opheim invited the community to see her flowers in an entirely new way through her first public exhibition of floral photography. Hosted by The Perfect Edge, "Still Blooms" offered a fine-art perspective on the same flowers she grows, harvests, and designs. Opheim says visual storytelling has always been central to her work. Her career began in marketing and graphic design, where she developed an eye for composition and narrative. "Photography entered my life years ago when I took a class during a summer between jobs," Opheim said. "I quickly became obsessed." She began with film photography before moving into digital work and studio lighting, building skills that would later resurface in unexpected ways. After moving to Decorah eight years ago, Opheim felt called to start something new. That call eventually became Bloom Flower Farm, which she launched in 2021. Photography followed naturally, first as a tool to document flowers for her website and social media. Over time, documentation turned into experimentation. "An unexpected experiment of photographing flowers with a beauty dish and lighting grid sparked an entirely new creative direction," she said. "That ultimately led to this series of work." "Still Blooms" emerged with encouragement from a group of collaborators, including Constance Johnson, Jerita Balik-Burreson, and Tonya Balik. Opheim describes the exhibition as a true collaboration, one that would not have existed without their support. Season I Pink Dahlias from Still Blooms by Jennifer Opheim Jennifer Opheim The title itself reflects Opheim's artistic influences. Drawing inspiration from Dutch master paintings and the tradition of still life, the photographs of "Still Blooms" capture flowers in quiet, suspended moments. "The flowers are photographed in a moment of stillness, inviting viewers to slow down and notice their form, texture, and presence," she said. Opheim's experience as a flower farmer deeply informs her photographic approach. Farming, she explained, trains you to observe light, timing, and constant change. It also demands physical and emotional labor, which photography helps balance. "Photographing the flowers allows me to take the time to really see the beauty that comes from that hard work," she said. For viewers, Opheim hopes the exhibition sparked curiosity both about flowers and the details often overlooked. "Maybe someone connected with something small or unexpected," she said, "whether it was a color, a flower, or an emotion that resonated with them." Among the collection, Opheim is particularly proud of Season III Garden Roses and Season III Apricot Dahlias, which she says feel especially romantic and fully capture the spirit of the series. Season III Garden Roses from Still Blooms by Jennifer Opheim Jennifer Opheim Season III Apricot Dahlias from Still Blooms by Jennifer Opheim Jennifer Opheim Debuting the work at The Perfect Edge made the experience even more meaningful. "I feel incredibly grateful to share this work in a space that so genuinely supports artists," she said. "Having that kind of encouragement within our community is deeply meaningful." As a small business owner, Opheim continues to balance creative exploration with sustainability, both environmentally and economically. Looking ahead, photography will remain an essential part of her work as a parallel practice that allows her to reflect, experiment, and tell stories alongside farming. Prints from "Still Blooms" are currently available at The Perfect Edge, with online availability planned through Bloom Flower Farm's website in 2026. Your inbox, upgraded! Subscribe for free and enjoy handpicked stories, helpful advice, and local insights delivered weekly.