The vision and precision behind the iconic Floral Flag image.
Aerial Imaging Specialist & Patriot.
“The photograph is more than a beautiful image; it’s a testament to the enduring American spirit of hope and resilience.”
Matthew A. Vilardi, became interested and fascinated as an amateur with photography during his earlier childhood days. His fascination and natural ability has since led him to become a professional aerial imaging photographer. He has cultivated an expertise of using a giant (50 foot tall) pod to elevate his cameras, gaining the valuable aerial perspective without sacrificing the foundations, which produce technically sound images; Virtually unlimited composition, proximity to the subject, a motionless camera, and quality optics is perfected. He has used this technique with his clients in Santa Barbara County, California, including real estate ranches in Santa Inez Valley, and construction agencies within the area. One of his most inspiring images is of the spectacular Lompoc Valley Flower Flag, an in-depth, detailed view of our American flag of the United States captured in a setting of flowers-the larkspur flower. From any angle, the Flag can be viewed in its entirety of beauty–a panorama of quality imaging.
Pictured right is a commendable flag of the United States of America. The floral flag, composed of red, white and blue larkspur flowers, was planted by Bodger Seeds Ltd. as a patriotic salute to 9/11.
Howard Bodger and his son, Jack, created and supervised the project. The formal dedication of the Flag was held June 14th, 2002 Flag Day in memory of 9/11. The original version of the Flag was planted in 1942, by Chuck Bodger, to salute the men and women fighting in World War II. The Flag was planted twice again in the forties and again in 1952, and 2002.
This Flag is a salute to the Constitutional freedoms which Americans enjoy, to those who defend those freedoms, to the victims of September 11th, and to the victims of the current tragedies Americans face. After the harvesting, the seeds from this Flag were gathered and distributed throughout the nation-a true, significant sign that the Flag still lives and thrives in all American hearts today!
