Washington D.C.-based creator Drew Geraci has captured the city’s iconic cherry blossoms for many years. The Sony Artisan recently took a more creative approach by incorporating lights to make the blossoms glow. Keep reading as Geraci shares his process and how you can level up your own spring blossom photography.
Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
–Sony Alpha 1 II
–Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master
If you’ve ever been in Washington D.C. during cherry blossom season, you know it’s like stepping into a watercolor painting... with 10,000 of your closest photographer friends. Petals float through the air, the sky glows soft and golden, and everyone suddenly becomes a photographer (yes, even that guy who uses his 12” iPad in landscape mode). But if you’re serious about capturing something special, here’s a little secret: add some LED lighting into the mix and pair it with the absolute beast that is the Sony Alpha 1 II camera, and you’re not just taking pictures anymore – you’re creating art.
Photo by Drew Geraci. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 6-sec., f/10, ISO 50
Why Bother With LEDs?
Let’s be real: natural light is beautiful, but it doesn’t always show up the way you want. Clouds roll in, shadows creep where you don’t want them, and sometimes the perfect branch is tucked in a spot where the sun just won’t hit. That’s where portable LED lights come in. Small, lightweight, and crazy versatile, they let you control your light like a painter with a brush.
- Want to highlight a single blossom? Hit it with a soft LED and watch it glow.
- Shooting during blue hour? A gentle backlight adds dreamy contrast without washing things out.
- Feeling creative? Use color-tunable LEDs to splash a little warm pink or red into the frame and make your images feel more editorial than documentary.
It’s like giving nature a gentle nudge to help it look its best.
Meet The Sony Alpha 1 II: Your New Best Friend
If cameras had a superhero, the Sony A1 II would be wearing the cape. It’s fast, it’s sharp, and it’s got more power under the hood than most people even know what to do with. And when it comes to filming or photographing cherry blossoms? It’s basically cheating (but in a good way).
Photo by Drew Geraci.
- 50MP full-frame sensor means you can crop in forever and still have buttery details.
- 8K video and 4K slow-mo? Yeah, your footage will look like a movie trailer and so will cherry blossoms that are blowing in the wind!
- Real-time AF tracking means it locks on faster than you can blink—even if petals are falling, people are walking, or you're shooting handheld at golden hour.
- And low light? No problem. Even if you’re out at dusk with nothing but an LED panel and a prayer, the A1 II delivers sharp, noise-free results.
It’s not just a camera—it’s your creative partner.
Photo by Drew Geraci. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 8-sec., f/5, ISO 50
5 Easy Ways To Level Up Your Spring Blossom Photography
1. Golden Hour Is Your Best Friend (But So Is Blue Hour)
Everyone loves that soft early morning or pre-sunset glow, and for good reason—it makes everything feel warm and alive. But don’t sleep on blue hour, just after sunset. With a few LEDs, you can get moody, cinematic vibes while everyone else is packing up.
Photo by Drew Geraci.
2. Shoot Wide Open For That Creamy Bokeh
Spring is messy. Tourists, joggers, random dogs, bikes—you name it. Blurring that chaos into soft backgrounds makes your subject (those perfect petals) stand out. A fast prime lens (think f/1.4 to f/2.8) turns any shot into a dream.
3. Backlight Your Blossoms
Here’s a trick: put an LED behind the branch and shoot toward it. The petals light up like stained glass, and the depth you get? Chef’s kiss. It works especially well if the sky’s dull or if you want to create a magical little glow.
4. Change Your Angle, Literally
Most people shoot at eye level, but the best blossom shots usually happen when you kneel down and shoot up. You get sky, branches, and a whole new perspective. Bonus points if you use a wide lens and really get in there.
Photo by Drew Geraci.
5. Zoom In On The Details
Don’t just shoot the trees – get close. Look for raindrops on petals, bees doing their thing, tiny buds not yet bloomed. These little moments tell bigger stories, and with the Sony A1 II’s ridiculous resolution, every little texture pops.
Spring in D.C. is a magical time. The air smells sweet, the light is soft, and everything feels a little more alive. But if you want your photos or videos to stand out from the sea of smartphone snaps, it’s all about combining creativity with the right tools. You’ll also want to make sure you get to the cherry blossoms early, and I mean EARLY. Parking is a premium in D.C.!
Photo by Drew Geraci. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 3/5-sec., f/5, ISO 50
So, grab a couple of LED panels, charge up your Sony Alpha, and hit the Tidal Basin before the petals are gone. Whether you're shooting a moody cinematic reel, a delicate macro portrait, or just playing with colors and light, there’s never been a better time to make some blossom magic.
See more of Drew Geraci’s work on his Alpha Universe Profile.
