An Unexpected Journey to Flower Farming in Alaska
I’ve always loved a good story—one you can connect with, one that takes you on a journey. Life has a way of throwing plot twists our way, full of discovery, surprises, and lessons. You never know what’s coming next.
For over 15 years, I worked as a wedding and portrait photographer. While I cherished the wedding day and couple stories I helped tell, I began to feel that they were just fleeting glimpses. I longed for a story that unfolded over time, where I could connect more deeply and experience a journey beyond just 'a day.' I felt tapped out. That’s when I decided to shift gears.
As an entrepreneur myself, I found the world of brand photography fascinating. Business owners have such grit, tenacity, and passion for what they do—and I wanted to capture that. I still work with businesses when I can, but summer is mostly dedicated to flower farming. One of my favorite clients was Misty, a florist and farmer. She is full of heart and a perfect fit for the kind of storytelling I wanted to explore. Together, we created a project that would highlight her farm, her seasonal shifts, and the passion behind it all.
What I didn’t expect was that this project would ignite my own love for farming.
You see, I’ve always had a deep connection to flowers. I’ve painted them for years, but I was often too busy to keep even a houseplant alive. Misty’s farm, though, opened my eyes to a different side of flowers—one that was rooted in hard work, nature, and creation. She had already paved a road into flower farming, and I found myself walking right alongside her, not knowing that I was about to catch the farming bug myself.
When I decided to stop doing wedding photography, I wasn’t sure what I’d do with my summers. It was hard to say no to the referrals, especially after so many years in the industry. But deep down, something else was calling. I began experimenting with some containers at home, trying to create a bit of beauty in my yard (which, let’s be honest, was more weeds than anything).
Misty would visit my property and point out areas where I could plant flowers. I’d always shrug it off, thinking I didn’t have the skills. But slowly, that spark began to grow. Over time, it became clear that my path was shifting—toward a life in farming. It didn’t even take months before I went from being the self-proclaimed "killer of plants" to planting my first rows of flowers. And let me tell you, that’s a leap I never saw coming.
I dove in headfirst: taking online courses, joining Misty’s flower school, and buying more seeds than I knew what to do with.
My first two flower bed rows!
My 22-Acre farm I bought with my sister!
Flash forward nearly 6 years, and I went from a small backyard plot to buying a 22-acre farm with my sister—and I’ve never looked back. So now, as I reflect on this journey, I can’t help but think of Misty, who inspired so much of what I do today. Our friendship built deep trust and understanding. She surprised me, and I’m grateful for it. But that’s a story for another time!
For now, I want to share the lessons I’ve learned on my path to becoming a flower farmer. Having the opportunity to learn from those before me was crucial, especially in a field that has little information or is buried in hours of reading forums and gatekeeping from master gardeners. I want to shine a light on the path paved by Misty, especially in our cold climate in Alaska, who made flower farming a reality despite the odds. With such a short growing season, it’s easy to wonder, “Why even try?” But the truth is, there’s a process in connecting with nature, understanding the cycles, and learning the rhythms of your own land that no one can teach you. If you're going to do this, you need grit, passion, and the ability to accept that gardening involves a lot of problem-solving and surrender. I’m not sure I would have had the courage to try without the encouragement and the ground breaking from Misty and others ahead of me.
Misty showed me how to grieve the seasons well. You become deeply attached to your crops, but nature is a very good teacher in non-attachment. Now, I respect the cycles and welcome them. My heart still aches a bit when the crops die each year, but I’ve come to see the magic in every part of the cycle.
As I reflect on all I’ve learned and experienced, I invite you to meet Misty in person and see her incredible story for yourself. She is featured in a beautiful book that captures her journey, and I had the honor of taking several images that were included. It’s a story full of heart, grit, and a love for flowers.
Come join us for a book signing with Misty and co-author Debra Prinzing. It’s a chance to hear more about her farm, her journey, and the magic of flower farming. I’d love to share this special moment with you and celebrate Misty of All Dahlia’d Up Flower Farm.
xo, Amber