STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY Jul 2017

Amy Elizabeth is a photographer with a polished aesthetic, adept at delivering brand-relevant images. She creates images that look modern and clean, regardless of the the complexity of the subject. With a background as an accomplished sculptor, she sees lighting and composition as equal entities and is passionate about both. Amy has a true understanding of marketing and creative needs.

Amy’s studio is a relaxed space on the waterfront in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

She believes that great creativity is often the result of collective thinking and fosters a collaborative working style. Amy shoots powerful still life and interior images for global brands including Prada, Timberland, IZOD and Sak’s 5th Avenue.

Amy is represented by Erika Repola.

London-based Beate Sonnenberg is known for her masterful control of light and graphic shapes.

Shooting out of her canal-side studio in London's creative East End, Beate has longstanding relationships with a regular team of stylists and assistants, ensuring a smooth shooting process in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Clients include Vogue, Space.NK, Marks & Spencer, Lipton, Wallpaper Magazine, Liberty’s, Marie Claire, Vodafone, Specsavers, Baileys, Dunlop, Brummell Magazine, John Lewis, Lumene, Cadbury, Creed, Telegraph Stella Magazine, Vola, Carphone Warehouse, Tatler Magazine, Elle Magazine, Clinique, Kopparberg, Hotel Chocolat, Harvey Nicholls, Matches Fashion, Jinzu, Radley, and many more.

Beate (pronounced Bey-yah-ta) is represented by Trayler & Trayler.

"Because no two people experience an image the same way, photography is at its core, impossible to talk about. Yet we are told to believe everything around us is good: images invade our minds constantly. While the demand for new pictures has never been higher, the advent of Instagram, etc., has driven down the value to almost nothing. Literally everyone is a photographer now, so a 'professional' has a problem being noticed, let alone finding paying clients.

My experience in photography began on the computer: I learned Photoshop early on, and got hooked. I was forced to teach myself how to use a DSLR through self preservation: I needed better images to edit. To this day everything I shoot is a means to an end: the payoff is the post-production work, where I get to study the nuance of light and colour up close. I’m fascinated by the play of light, whether natural or artificial, which makes still life and product photography a natural fit for me.

I love to photograph people too, but always in the service of creating an interesting image, as opposed to discovering some “truth” about the subject. I don’t believe cameras have the ability to record truth; for the simple fact that a mechanical lens and sensor records only data, and truth requires interpretation.

I create images that please me. And I hope they might please others, or at least get enough attention that my clients return, which they seem to year after year. I charge what my clients think is fair. I’m not represented by an agent, and I mostly work alone, which allows me to keep production costs low. I’m available to discuss rates and ideas: I live in Miami Beach, FL, USA: 305-519-7764."

David Lawrence relishes a challenge, whether artistic, technical or logistical - especially when it leads to a beautiful picture for his clients.

David came to New York to study at Parson’s School of Design and found the city to be so intoxicating that he decided to stay. He has shot for many of the most popular national consumer magazines and numerous brand-name advertisers for fashion, beauty, jewelry, liquor, electronics, tech and financial services.

Recent clients include Clinique, L’Oréal, John Frieda, Chloe & Isabelle, NBC, LG Electronics, Ann Taylor, Amazon / MyHabit, Nike, Starter Athletic, Tucker, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Instyle, Essence, Oprah, People, and Forbes.

David Parfitt has more than two decades of experience and an extensive knowledge of studio still-life photography.

Shooting in his central London studio, he combines style, craft and technical expertise with a flawless attention to detail to produce outstanding imagery.

He has photographed campaigns for a range of clients including John Lewis, Debenhams, M&S, L'Oréal, Coty, Kiko Cosmetics, The Body Shop, Sanctuary Spa, P&G Prestige Beaute, along with many editorial clients.

From his own studios in Shoreditch, central London, Dennis Pedersen uses up-to-the-minute photographic equipment as well as technical prowess and ingenuity to achieve the special effects for which he is renowned.

After many years of darkroom and digital experience Dennis is now known for using on-the-spot post-production simultaneously as the shoot progresses, ensuring the best possible results are achieved.

Shooting in the studio or on location, with a strong full-time team around him, Dennis always knows how to capture a product's essence.

Dominc Davies is a still life photographer based in London but shooting worldwide.

He has recently completed projects for Guinness and Smirnoff as well as editorial features for The Gourmand magazine.

Past projects include campaigns for Haagen Dazs, Absolut, Haig Club, Grey Goose and The Big Fat Duck Cook Book, for which he received the James Beard Award for Photography.

EpicMind Studio is led by photographer Vadim Chiline who is currently one of North America's top luxury product photographers.

Having worked with clients such as Maison Birks, Reeds Jewelers, John Hardy, Ritani and the Royal Canadian Mint, amongst many others throughout North America, Vadim understands the jewellery, watch and cosmetic product like no other. He tailors every single image to his client's brand and never relies on the cookie-cutter approaches that are often found amongst his peers.

His team of retouchers are second-to-none in the industry and work in-house to provide world-class images.

Guy Jost specialises in still life, interior, food and drink photography. In his spacious and fully equipped studio, he creates unique imagery together with internationally renowned stylists, food stylists and prop builders.

Guy and his team work for national and international clients including United Grinding Group, Bernafon international, Ricola, Unilever, Bossard, Piz Buin, Swiss Olympic, Post Finance, Energie Schweiz, Raiffeisen Banken, Mövenpick, Rosen Group, Kambly, Frigemo, Migros, Badoit, Bongrain, Schweppes, Frionor, Moyard and many more.

Recent new clients include Vögele Shoes, Appenzeller Käse and Comet AG. In the year 2016/17, Guy was selected by Lürzer’s Archive in the category '200 Best Ad Photographers Worldwide'.

Hiro is an award-winning still-life photographer shooting campaigns for international brands. He spends most of his time in the studios in Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and delivers stunning photographic visuals on a daily basis.

Hiro started his career in New York City, where he learned exceptional lighting skills to draw elegant lines by strobe lights. Now he resides in Japan, where he sharpened his minimalistic approach towards photography.

He is also working on still life movies in collaboration with beauty brands. The movies are widely disseminated.

His rapidly growing list of clients includes Vogue Japan, Estée Lauder, Shiseido, Shu Uemura, L'Oréal, Lux, KOSÉ, ORBIS, Folli Follie, Kate Spade New York, United Colors of Benetton, Panasonic, Sony Ericsson, Toyota and many more.

One rarely goes a day without seeing Chicago photographer Joe Pellegrini’s work in store windows, magazines, catalogues, cookbooks or cereal boxes.

For over two decades, Joe has been an industry leader in product and food photography. Also an accomplished painter, he has brought his artistic sensibilities to national campaigns for Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Kellogg's, Tyson, and for the past 11 years, has shot virtually all of Subway’s national and international print and outdoor ads as well their in-store displays.

Unflappable, Joe has made a career delivering memorable imagery with the utmost professionalism for products ranging from Scrubbing Bubbles to Jim Beam.

Shoot days find his studio abuzz with clients snacking on mini candy bars while Joe and his group of top food stylists, special FX and digital technicians descend on every product shot with a practiced efficiency and provide proven success.

Kota Watanabe is a commercial photographer who specialises in still life such as cosmetics, liquid, watches, jewellery, cars, transportation and musical instruments.

Visit the website for more information.

Leo Acker's bold and imaginative work makes him one of London's most sought-after still life photographers.

Over the last 15 years, Leo has developed a unique creative photographic style combined with precise digital skills. From his studio in Shoreditch and on location, he shoots for a very wide range of clients.

Recent commissions also include work for Liberty, The Financial Times, Marks & Spencer, Russell & Bromley, John Lewis, Fenwick, Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Red and Glamour Magazine.

Lett Studio is comprised of Alicja and Piotrek, a pair of extraordinary photographers. A love for the profession drew them together to form a united duo whose motto is: 'create something that has never been created before'.

Every spare moment is spent on perfecting their craft. As photography is their world and centre of existence, it comes as no surprise that they live in their studio. Being so passionate about what they do, they never feel 'at work'.

Alicja and Piotrek specialize in still life photography. Just as portrait photographers see beauty in faces, they see allure in the objects they capture with their cameras and keen eyes.

Specialists in still life photography, Lux shoots regularly for several big-name brands including Hotel Chocolat, Molton Brown and Elemis. Working from its 5000 sq.ft. East London studio, the company is ready to take on any project, big or small.

"We're a close-knit, experienced and highly approachable team. Most importantly, however, all shoots include our famous home-cooked lunch!"

Using broad strokes, lipgloss by the gallon and minute lighting, Swedish still life photographer Magnus Cramer makes material come alive. ”It’s funny, really” says Magnus. ”I’ve got a diploma in engineering, but I spend a lot my days spreading thick layers of mascara on a piece of paper in a studio.”

While that might be something of a simplification, there is no denying the creativity and meticulousness in his work has allowed him to carve out his own special niche in the world of cosmetics and be sought after. But Magnus uses anything but delicacy when he designs his set ups. ”In the end, it is all in the lighting” he says. ”I guess that may be the engineer in me speaking. I simply won’t give up on an image until I am satisfied.”

Clients include Douglas, Electrolux, H&M, L.O.V Cosmetics, Olympus, Oprah, Oriflame, Piz Buin, Reebok, Samsung, Swarovski, Volvo and Tush Magazine.

Mathilde Karrèr's work is about details, light and textures. Inspired by classical paintings or contemporary graphic style, a well balanced image is the result. Her portfolio is a combination of both moody and graphic, bright images.

Set designing and styling is an aspect Mathilde loves to get involved with. She is currently working on a non commissioned series, inspired by a recurring theme - 16th and 17th Century stil life in black and white.

In her free time she loves to browse antiques stores to find beautiful props to use in her photography.

Mathilde has done commissioned work for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Zalando, Olaf Hussein and Bugaboo. Her editorial work has featured in Vogue, Highsnobiety and Ace&Tate.

Omer Knaz is best known for his still life work with luxury goods, jewellery, watches and fragrances. With over 10 years’ experience, he brings enthusiasm and a skilled eye to every brief and creates strong dynamic images for advertising editorial and commercial clients such as Tatler, Grazia, De Beers, Intelligent Life Magazine, Harrods and How to Spend It Magazine.

Whilst using the most up-to-date digital equipment, Omer retains a firm belief in applying this technology only to enhance the image, leaving as much as possible to be created ‘in camera’. Alongside his strong lighting skills, drawn from the discipline of film photography, this gives his images a sense of reality that is so often compromised these days.

Philippe Sautier is a French photographer based near Zurich, with 18 years of still life photography experience. Whatever the place or the subject to be photographed, he always looks to stage his pictures with subtle and precise lighting.

Philippe is always looking to push beyond the technical limits to generate the most creative images possible. He works for commercial clients in fashion, cosmetics, jewellery and watches. Over the last few years, he has particularly focused on producing high-end, quality visuals for jewellery brands.

His own studio is equipped with the latest generation material to respect clients' technical requirements and leave the maximum room for imagination and creativity. Retouching is handled in house, and when it isn’t possible to photograph on-site he loves travelling worldwilde for his clients.

His team includes stylists and high-end freelance graphic designers.

Visit Philippe's website to see more of his work.

Shane Lopes is a Los Angeles-based still life photographer.

Having obtained his BFA at Brooks Institute coupled with years of practice, he has been able to carefully refine his visual esthetic through his use of bold colours and unique juxtapositions.

With a focus on beverage photography, Shane loves the unique and creative possibilities this subject matter brings to the table.

Some of his most recent clients include Boston Beer, Curious Traveler, and Breakside Brewery.

Warren Ryley has been passionately shooting still life imagery for advertising and commercial use for over 25 years. In this time he has covered almost every manner of product photography and shot for many high street names.

Warren now specialises in drinks photography shooting for major beverage brands. Working from his central London studio he combines skilful lighting techniques with his great knowledge of post-production to produce imagery with a clean, crisp style.

His attention to detail is key, especially when it comes to retouching which is all carried out in house, giving clients the option of a complete one-stop personal service.

Warren’s recent campaigns include Beefeater Gin, Patron Tequila, Lower East Side Whisky, Bayou Rum and Blenders Pride.

Wilson Hennessy is a globally renowned still life and automotive photographer who shoots regularly for clients in Europe and the USA. Recently, he shot with Vodafone and Onken and regularly works with Gillette and John Lewis, as well as Wired, GQ and Audi magazine.

His colourful sets, attention to detail and technical abilities to light a subject put his work at the front of commercial still life photography.

Highlights of this year include photographing the launch of Vodafone’s new campaign, shooting the Suzuki Swift launch campaign. and also producing several highly acclaimed personal projects.

Wilson is represented by Horton Stephens in Europe and by Held & Associates in the United States.

At Yechiel Orgel Photography, inanimate objects come to life in the presence of lighting, technique and angles. Where others may view a pair of shades as just a product, Yechiel chooses to find its subliminal value through his work.

Ever the self critic, he demands only the best when it comes to his deliverable talent, contributing his timeless imagery to a lifelong passion. He sees life even in the simplest of objects, expressing strong opinions about his insentient subjects. While Yechiel predominantly shoots at his Brooklyn studio, he often collaborates with trending stylists and goes to great lengths to perfect the lighting and background details, even for transient photo shoots and single products.

With clients such as Colangelo, Flexon Eyewear and Kung Fu Tea, Yechiel appreciates the challenge and diversified product range to which he’s exposed. More so, he makes quick friends with the unique products that enter his studio. They enter, confined in a box; yet they leave, photographed superstars.

In his own perspective: “Life is all around you. Family portraiture captures it via movement and interaction. Yet, still life photography possesses a unique form of artistry. One must be willing to experiment, perfect and have total conversations with a 4% alcohol flavored beer until the pixelated results make you taste the fizz on your tongue."

Still life photographer. Commercial photographer. Product whisperer!