Flower Photography and Politics  

Dear Reader,

Some might wonder how I have been able to fuse flower photography with politics. Why would someone who shared beautiful flower photos also share fiery statements about the tyrannical nature of government and the deep rot in our culture? Well, if you know the backstory, it makes a little more sense.

In 2019, I had both a deeply spiritual and political awakening. I deeply began to seek my path back to Christ while confronting deep trauma that stemmed from years of sexual abuse in my childhood and teens. Simultaneously, my political reality began to collapse as I turned away from the constant stream of propaganda and began to think more critically about the narratives fed to me.

As someone who used to be a Democratic Activist and began to lay foundation of my career in Democratic Political circles on a local and state level, it was a big move. I basically burned down my life and much of my social and professional network. I was seeking truth and freedom with my heart and, in the process, I became a heretic to my former religion.

Amidst this massive upheaval in my life, I began to work on healing the deep wounds that the sorrowful mysterious in my life left behind. I began to confront my trauma, and I found healing and sanity amidst flowers. Spending tie photographing them allowed me to reconnect to my womanhood and reclaim my own softness. It allowed me to share beautiful things with the world that lifted people’s spirits. I shared images that brought hope and beauty to their lives.

Part of the reason this felt like the right path is that our culture is filled with victimhood mentality, and I was repulsed by it. I did not wish to use my own story as victimhood currency. I refused to share my story to advance a political agenda. It felt wrong and cheap. It felt disrespectful to my own self. So instead, I chose to share my healing journey in forms of flower photography. My photographs have become a deep reminder that God is able to bring forth beauty and goodness from dark and evil chapter. It deeply rewired me.

Then in 2024, after my little business had been open for a little over a year, Hurricane Helene hit the mountains of WNC. It was a total shock to my system. I witnessed the government failing my community. My income sources tied to tourism dried up. The income and support that did come into my life were through this little business. It pushed me from working on this brand part time on the side to making it the center of my work life. I threw myself fully into this business and, once again, God showed that he is bringing forth good amidst tragedy.

So, this is how my brand has come forth, and I hope these stories of hope, beauty, and goodness shine through in every photo because it is deeply woven in this brand and business.

Sincerely,

Anna Hitrova