Acclaimed photographer focuses on Meadow Brook Greenhouse

Award-winning photographer and photojournalist Joe Polimeni of Birmingham recently brought his internationally recognized talents to the Meadow Brook Greenhouse – a site he chose for both its historic and aesthetic appeal.

Throughout a diverse and highly accomplished career, Polimeni has traveled the globe to capture images of people, places and historical moments including the Olympics. His work, which includes commercial, fashion, portraiture, lifestyle, glamour and editorial shoots, has been published in magazines, annual reports, websites and billboards across the globe.

"I shoot all over the world and my scapes are an essential part of my concepts. I had the Greenhouse in mind for its history, being built in 1914, and for the condition of the facility. It was perfect," Polimeni said.

This six-room, Lord & Burnham greenhouse built by John Dodge once contained tropical plants and Matilda Dodge Wilson's prized chrysanthemums and carnations. Fresh-cut flowers were a daily staple at The Hall.

The greenhouse was recently restored by a group of skilled and dedicated volunteers who logged hundreds of hours cleaning, fixing vents and installing fans to return the greenhouse to working order. It is now used to supply plants for special university events, as well as and plants and flowers to beautify the campus.

"The Meadow Brook Greenhouse is a jewel. It's a piece of history that makes us appreciate who we are, where we've come and why it's important to preserve," Polimeni explained. "One of the reasons I built my shoot around it was for people – years from now – to see a part of our past and how important it is for our future."

To learn more about the history of the Meadow Brook estate, visit its website. To view images from Polimeni's recent shoot at the facility, view the online gallery he created. To learn more about Polimeni's work, visit his website.