Blushing Bride consists of a single blooming flower set against a pitch black background, seemingly emerging from a void. This photograph reflects the larger themes of American photographer Joyce Tenneson’s work, which captures natural forms in ways that are both intimate and visually striking. By removing the flower from its ecosystem, Tenneson evokes a feeling of disconnectedness while maintaining a sense of intimacy, thus transforming the plant from a natural object to an aesthetic one. The lines of the petals create a sense of gentle movement both upwards and downwards, contributing to the overall softness of the composition. The title of the work and its delicate pink color palette are gendered as feminine, perhaps referencing Tenneson’s own identity as a woman or inviting reflection on stereotypical clichés of femininity. Notably, the title is also the common name of the flower, granting it a level of personhood and blurring the lines between nature and humanity.

— Issie Russo, VU student