How to Design a Photogenic Garden, According to a Pro Photographer

A beautiful garden doesn’t need to perform for the camera. The most compelling ones simply understand where the light lands and how the eye moves. Christopher Lee knows this well. A Los Angeles photographer-turned-garden designer, Lee brings his visual training into the landscapes he creates through his studio, Plant Horder. His own Mediterranean-inspired South L.A. backyard makeover and a project in Laguna Hills are both calm and quietly structured, illustrating how photographic principles can guide garden design that feels as good to live in as it looks on film.

“My background in photography strongly trained me to think visually and spatially,” Lee says. “I pay close attention to composition, balance, light, and perspective—how a space is viewed from different angles and how it changes throughout the day.” That awareness carries through every decision. “Just as in photography, I consider focal points, framing, texture, and contrast, using plants and hardscape materials to guide the eye and create mood,” he explains. The goal is a garden that feels “immersive, intentional, and connected to how people actually experience the green space.”

Thinking Like a Photographer

Courtesy of Christopher Lee

Lee’s design process borrows directly from the fundamentals of photography. “The core photography principles I bring to my gardens are composition, light, and perspective,” he says. Each space is designed to be experienced from multiple viewpoints, whether you’re arriving, lingering, or looking out from inside the house.

Light plays a central role. “I consider how sunlight and shadow move through the garden during the day and across seasons, and how they affect mood, color, and texture,” Lee explains. Contrast, rhythm, and layering add depth and keep the garden visually engaging. “Together, these principles help create gardens that feel intentional, immersive, and visually cohesive.”

For home gardeners, this starts with observation. Notice where the sun hits in the morning, where shadows pool in the afternoon, and which views feel most inviting. Design decisions tend to reveal themselves once you slow down enough to see them.

Designing for Your Lifestyle

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A garden that looks good but feels awkward rarely holds up over time. Lee avoids that by grounding every project in daily life. “I design around the client’s lifestyle—how they use the space day to day—so comfort, flow, and functionality come naturally,” he says.

From there, aesthetics fall into place. “When a space is genuinely comfortable and well-used, it tends to photograph beautifully,” Lee notes. The end result is not a staged set, but a garden that feels lived in and visually cohesive at the same time.

Creating a More Connected Space

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A photogenic garden reveals itself gradually. “I think about how someone moves through the garden and what they experience at each point,” Lee says. Clear paths keep circulation intuitive, while composed views unfold slowly through focal points and shifts in scale. “Strong sightlines help orient people within the space,” he explains, “while a thoughtful sense of flow ensures the garden feels natural, inviting, and flows easily.”

When defining outdoor rooms, Lee favors subtlety. “I rely on subtle layers rather than hard boundaries,” he says. Changes in planting density, materials, or elevation suggest separation without cutting off light or views. “This approach allows each area to have its own identity yet stay connected without the garden feeling closed off.”

The biggest missteps, he notes, often come from doing too much. “Some common mistakes in garden design include creating disconnected spaces, overcrowding with too many features, or ignoring scale and proportion, which can make areas feel chaotic or overwhelming.”

Choosing Materials That Work Hard

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Hardscape sets the tone for how a garden reads, both in person and on camera. Lee looks for materials that balance beauty and durability. “I consider texture, color, and how surfaces interact with light to ensure they look beautiful in photographs, while also prioritizing durability, maintenance, and suitability for the climate,” he says.

A gravel path, for example, might be chosen for its warmth and texture, but also for slip-resistance and longevity. “The goal is to choose materials that enhance the garden’s visual impact without compromising comfort, safety, and everyday usability.”

Layering materials creates depth without clutter. “I combine materials with different textures—like natural stone with gravel—to create visual interest and depth,” Lee says. Color stays restrained, often anchored in neutrals that allow plants to take the lead. Repeating textures or tones throughout the garden helps create cohesion, while varied pot sizes and finishes keep things from feeling flat.

Developing Plant Palettes with Presence

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In Lee’s gardens, plants act as structure as much as decoration. “When selecting plants for their sculptural qualities, I focus on form, structure, and how the plant interacts with light and space,” he says. Plants earn their place even when they are not in bloom.

Repetition and scale help the garden feel composed. “Groupings—of plants, materials, or forms—creates rhythm and cohesion,” Lee explains. Color highlights focal points and sets the mood, while scale ensures that everything feels balanced. “Together, these elements provide depth and contrast and help a garden feel composed, dynamic, and harmonious.”

Certain plants consistently photograph well. “Plants with strong form, texture, and seasonal interest tend to be very ‘camera-friendly,’” Lee says, pointing to ornamental grasses, sculptural trees, and bold-leafed succulents. He often pairs contrasting textures, such as soft grasses against structured shrubs, to keep the composition lively.

Making Space for Inviting Vignettes

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Some of the most memorable garden moments are small. “To craft small vignettes, I focus on creating a sense of intimacy through scale, layering/grouping, and thoughtful framing,” Lee says. Light and shadow add dimension, while a single focal element anchors the scene.

In his South L.A. backyard project, a small water feature does just that. “Though modest in size, its reflective surface and gentle sound creates a focal point that draws the eye and adds a sense of tranquility,” he says. Paired with layered planting and textured gravel, the space feels calm, intentional, and inviting.

More Practical Takeaways for Home Gardeners

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Lee emphasizes that designing a photogenic garden does not require a big budget. “I’d recommend starting with the basics of composition and structure,” he says. Clear sightlines, simple focal points, and layered planting often matter more than expensive features.

“Use repetition, contrasting textures, and a limited color palette to create visual interest,” he advises. Affordable hardscape elements like gravel, pathways, and planters can help define space. Even small details, such as a sculptural plant or a bench, can make a meaningful impact.

Lee also encourages resourcefulness. “With these design principles in mind, keep the cost down by obtaining free plants from neighbors and friends. Buy second-hand outdoor furniture and decor.” Above all, he says, “the key to a ‘photogenic’ garden is creating a balanced and natural garden.”

For quick improvements, editing goes a long way. “Tidy up cluttered areas to make the space feel open,” Lee suggests. Group plants with varied heights and textures, repeat colors or materials to guide the eye, and add a simple bench or path. Small changes can help a garden feel intentional, grounded, and quietly camera-ready.