Sun shining, birds chirping, flowers blooming – take a look around and it is evident that Missouri has reached spring.

Mid-spring is one of the most wondrous times of the year for a nature-oriented photographer like myself.

• 

The flowers have weathered the end-of-winter frost and bees buzz busily from flower to flower. There is an innate vibrancy to the season.

As a spring-loving photographer, a common question comes to mind when thinking of the season: Have you stopped to smell the roses?

If you are a photographer looking to take a stroll through the vivid colors of spring, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the perfect place for you.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis. The park boasts a Japanese garden, an Ottoman garden, a rose garden, a Climatron and much more. 

Walking through the park, a photographer would find a near-endless array of flora-based photo opportunities. A soft pink cherry blossom in the Japanese garden; roses, tulips and irises of every color scattered throughout the park; pitcher plants and cacti sitting in steady warmth of the Climatron. 

The park perfectly captures the beauty of the season. 

Birds, bees and other small creatures call the park their home – making the Botanical Garden an ideal place for photographers looking to capture these animals. 

And right now, the park is hosting “Origami in the Garden.” The metal sculptures throughout the park – paired with bridges, buildings and other structures – make the garden a perfect place for architectural photography as well. 

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a vivid, awe-inspiring place for any outdoor photography. Just as with any great photo spot, there are a couple of points to remember when visiting the park. 

• The garden is currently open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesdays to Sundays.
• If you are going for a certain flower, check the website to see what is currently in bloom.
• The Botanical Garden is currently under construction in some areas.
• Entry is free for members.
• Zoo-Museum District residents who are not members are charged $6 for entry ($4 for seniors). ZMD residents also have free days on Wednesday and Sunday from 9-11 a.m.
• If you are not a member or ZMD resident, entry is $14 for the general public who are 13 and up.
• The garden is quite large. If you know what area you would like to visit, a map of the garden may be helpful in directing you.

Keeping all these things in mind, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a perfectly blissful place for any springtime photo.