This banksia (Banksia serrata) was part of a bouquet I shot for a florist; I wanted to shoot it alone to capture the graceful arc of the serrated, structural leaves as well as the gorgeous colour of the flower head. Shooting against a plain black background allowed this beautiful specimen to glow in the light, and shows it off in all its glory. Many species of banksia were decimated during the recent catastrophic bushfires in Australia so there is no better time to celebrate this iconic Australian flower.