arleen olson photography

From the moment I photographed orchids up close at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco, I was captivated by their unusual beauty and intriguing personalities. After years searching for the most unusual and expressive orchids, I want to share my discovery and fascination of these unique flowers with all orchid enthusiasts and encourage them to look up close and personal, as I did. With my macro lens aimed at their reproductive system (the lip and the column) I was astounded at what I saw.

The orchids’ diversity and extravagant sexual display is how they attract pollinators to ensure their reproduction. Here is my focus, where orchids reveal their spirit, the animating force within all living things. To my eye, they take on characteristics of human, animal, and even other-worldly forms. Angels emerge from their petals.

Each alluring orchid is an invitation to wonder!

Contains over 20 different genera of orchids.

Arleen graduated from Kean University, NJ with degrees in English and Art.

She has been a professional photographer for most of her life and her work has been exhibited widely. Her photographs have been published in environmental newsletters, college publications, catalogs, newspapers, magazines, brochures and books. A compilation of her photographs is part of the permanent collection of Women Photographers in Humboldt County, 1850-2000, which resides in the Beinecke Library at Yale University.

She is author of Humboldt Wild, a visual journey through Southern, Central and Northern Humboldt along the spectacular Pacific Coast in NW California. The book concludes with a chapter highlighting Humboldt’s numerous renowned local events.

Arleen just published her award winning orchid photographs in her new book: Orchids’ Allure: Intimate Portraits