Grab your cameras the Philadelphia Flower Show is coming March 4-11th!  Philadelphia is host to the largest  international Flower Show,  this years Theme is “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha”.    This year is not to disappoint with a whole new layout making it easier to experience the Hawaii. Here are some photo tips to enjoy and take home the show.

Photo tips for the Flower show:

• Bring your camera and avoid using your flash,  flash wash out the colors and tend to be harsh. If they come out dark try a different setting, play (take extra pictures) for a minute or 2 when you arrive.
• Balance you elbow on your knee so you stay still and get the shot, if you need to use a long exposure it helps to steady the shot.
• Always step in towards subject or the presentation,  avoid taking pictures from 2 far away,  they never come out the way you want, smaller compact cameras have a hard time with large spaces so  take one far away then take 10 steps closer and get the feeling of the space a more intimate shot.
•  Shooting people avoid the full body shot, people tend to not like full length pictures and if taken to far away it just makes things worse.. step closer to your subject, head shots are great,  and let the color of the flowers blur out the background.
• Be sure to get the kids smelling and experience the flowers they don’t have to be posed shots just moments of this once in lifetime experience.

Here is what you have to look forward to at the Philadelphia Flower Show,  because there is much to photograph, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society  has so much beauty in store for us this year.

Flowers meet Tech.:

• Wave entrance (new this year)  is interactive with video stream ocean,  all around you. It is a completely new design mimic the waves, landscape of Hawaii
• Largest water fall (new this year)  to date 25 feet surrounded by the tropics of flowers.
• Wedding pavilion is also Hawaii themed,  they are bringing in a tons and tons of sand. Wednesday night  March 7th  will be a special time for brides and her parties to get a look and meet with some of the top floral wedding experts get ideas and learning for that special day.
• Designer Showcase NEW where top floral designer complete to show who is the best (think project run way for flowers) and it goes on all day for the entire week.
• Floral and Gardening Demonstrations: if you want your flowers to look top notch the learning at the  Philadelphia Flower Show demonstrations is a great way to start
• Flower show app   new! allowing you to check in at various exhibits along the way, leaving notes for friends, maps of the show room floor, trivia and more.
• Man Cave (New this yea) there will be a area design for men and all things manly: including tiger woods golf game, casino tables, sports.
• Girls night out event:  Thurs March 8th Presented By Philadelphia style Magazine and the flower show.  With wine tasting, prizes, beauty and more.
• Veggies Go Vertical display– where you can see tomatoes over head and 40ft wall of lettuce.  Plus through out the entire show there is lectures and demos on how to grow your own edible garden.
• Special Guest  Bethany Frankel

• Family Lounge with crafts, children’s activities and introducing the Lorax movie-  also on final  Sunday March 11 they will be having a garden demo so the family can get the gardening bud.

Special events for kids :

Sunday, March 4
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Kelly and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)
2 pm: A reading of “The Lorax” by Lisa Nutter, wife of Mayor Michael Nutter
2 pm – 5 pm: Meet characters from Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax”

Saturday, March 10
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Liz and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)

Sunday, March 11
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Sean and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)
11 am: Girl Scouts presentation at The Gardener’s Studio
12 noon: Beekeeping demo led by Jim Bobb at The Gardener’s Studio
1 pm: Interactive lawn games demo at The Gardener’s Studio, led by Paul Tukey & Victoria Rowell
2 pm: A reading of “The Lorax” by Kathy O’Connell of WXPN’s Kids’ Corner
3:45 – 5:15 pm: Sprout Snack! Join Sprout’s Kelly from The Sunny Side Up Show, The Pajanimals, and the Berenstain Bears for an interactive afternoon snack. Characters will join you at your table for one-on-one time, photos, and autographs. Please note: The Sprout Snack requires a special ticket; click here to order.

No special tickets required for family events (except for Sprout Snack), but take advantage of the special Family Fun Pak!

Tickets can be purchased prior on line or the day of the show

Adults are $27

Students are $20

Kids are $15

The Philadelphia Flower Show does offer a family pack too for $70 (2 kids and 2 adults)

If you have not been to the Philadelphia Flower Show Before this is the year to go.  Also I can recommend staying overnight in Philadelphia because there is so much to do. Visit Philly.com has so much to offer in deals and packages so be sure to check it out and stay overnight!