STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY Jun 2023

Alex Waber is a commercial photographer specialising in product, fashion and lifestyle photography.

Over the years he has shot for a number of designers and boutiques in Vancouver and his still life photography has been exhibited up and down the West Coast.

His work has been internationally published including in Vogue, Wired, Complex, Rolling Stone, The Guardian and Montecristo. His clients include Arc’teryx, SECTION 35, Kit + Ace, and Purple Brand.

Still life is a favourite subject because it's always a fun opportunity to really dig in to colour play, super detailed lighting and different kinds of textures. It can be a delightfully meditative process, in some instances spending a full day to perfect a single image, or finding the flow to create a series or a gif.

Photographer and director Amy Currell was born in East London, where she lives and works. Her still life photography and moving image is shot through a distinctively female lens, and each frame is composed with thoughtfulness and grace, artfully juxtaposing colour and texture, shape and shadow.

Amy is most at home when capturing colour and texture at their most evocative – drawing narratives from shadows, finding the warmth and refraction in liquids and blending CGI techniques with traditional stills photography for a perfected reality.

Expanding in her role as a director, Amy works with the newest motion control cameras to give any moving image elements of the work an edge, giving the same poise and polish to her film that you’ll find in her photography. Her shoot production is seamless and highly technical, meaning the studio can adapt quickly to an evolving industry, and also turn out a range of deliverables in a single day, never compromising on aesthetic or detail. She has recently been collaborating with another JSR artist, Augustynka - a mixed media artist, for a Creed Fragrance campaign.

Amy is highly sought after in the commercial world by clients who value beauty, and the context of their products in carefully choreographed composition and these have included – Ikea, Vogue, Selfridges, Liberty London, Tatler, Bvlgari, and London Art Fair. Amy also holds the prodigious position of UK Brand Ambassador for Leica.

Amy Currell is represented by JSR, see more here. Follow the agency on Instagram for recent projects.

Anne-Marie Mueschke, hailing from southern Louisiana, initially ventured into the world of acting before discovering her true calling in commercial photography. Currently residing in upstate New York alongside her partner and faithful canine companion, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the industry.

Anne-Marie's impressive portfolio includes extensive collaborations with renowned skincare brand Beekman 1802, as well as esteemed jewellery brand Her Rock and numerous esteemed restaurants throughout New York state.

With a keen eye for detail, she takes delight in capturing the vividness of color and the intricate textures present in her subjects. Her work effortlessly blends a refined aesthetic style with the ability to convey the distinct narrative of each brand she collaborates with.

"I absolutely love what I do! The immense fulfillment I get from sculpting light to bring out the inner beauty of every product or subject I photograph is what keeps me constantly excited about photography.

I'm a massive fan of detail, color and simple compositions (if you couldn't already tell) and I specialise in product, liquids, and environmental portraiture.

In a very saturated market, I believe it's this passion of wanting to go the extra mile to get the very best out of what I'm shooting that sets me apart... but hopefully that's undeniably apparent in my work.

I was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. I grew up skateboarding, surfing and later found a passion for snowboarding which brought me to the incredible state of Colorado.

I enjoy a good laugh and a tasty craft beer after a long day of work (beer on short days too). I also thoroughly enjoy working with clients that are creative, enjoy their job as much as I do, and connect with my aesthetic. I live in Boulder, Colorado with my wife and our cat. I love dogs too, but our cat is still taking it under consideration."

"25 years photographing glass, metals and liquid didn’t cure my obsession with lighting as I had hoped. It only made it stronger.

Now embracing a happy-go-lucky Gollum-like studio existence with none of filth, violence or weird voice.

Working with wonderful people from around the world specialising in advertising, cosmetics, jewellery, TVC."

"I'm Diego, a Portuguese photographer and photography teacher.

If I could summarise my work in a word, I think it would be "organic". In a world of short attention spans and 'perfect' images created by 3D renders and AI, I strive for authenticity.

Aesthetically, I tend to go for a very clean look, often aiming for that organic feel that I can’t quite put into words.

During 2023, I've been dedicating much of my time to personal projects, as I believe they greatly help to fuel my creativity.

When I'm not creating images, I'm sharing my love for photography with the next generation of photographers, through teaching. It's something that brings me a lot of joy and ultimately keeps me fresh and up to date."

The New York City-based photography team of Ellen McDermott and creative partner Bridget Sciales produces timeless visual language, with imagery that is both intimate and visceral.

“As women, we feel we are expected to work harder in the male-dominated field of photography. Securing top assignments is often quite challenging. We have been fortunate to work with creative heads who understand the value of diversity.”

Giving female photographers equal billing to their male counterparts expands creative energies and acknowledges a different approach in providing new and unexplored points of view. Their photography evokes emotion, which enhances the digital experience for consumers across e-commerce, marketing, and content creation. The approach involves shooting with a studied and refined lighting that immediately provokes the viewer into a time and space.

The work can be seen in ad campaigns, digital content, magazines, books, corporate assignments and private collections throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

Clients include Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Chicos, One Kings Lane, Martha Stewart Living, Iconix Brands, Toast, Plain Goods, Dwell, Cottages & Gardens, Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Christie's, Sotheby’s and Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt among others.

"Still life photography demands particular attention to detail and solid consistency. I have an eye for composition and an innate ability to capture the essence of any object.

What sets me apart is my commitment to perfection. Every element within my photographs is carefully arranged, reflecting an appreciation for balance and harmony. Attention to detail is unparalleled, ensuring that no minute aspect goes unnoticed.

Consistency is key to all my work. Whether it's a collection of food, drink, or your new product, my images show a cohesive look. With a great understanding of lighting, colour, and texture, I will create images that tells a story, capturing the essence of objects and inviting viewers to appreciate the subtleties.

In the space of still life photography, I love capturing beauty with precision and consistency. My attention to detail and commitment to quality is what makes me stand out."

Freddy Clark is a commercial advertising photographer in the New York City area who specialises in capturing vibrant visuals that make brands, beverages and products pop.

With a passion for studio work and collaborating with clients like Alementary Brewing and Ludlum Island Brewing, he brings a contagious excitement to every project.

His mastery of both artificial and natural lighting ensures captivating photography that will elevate your campaign to new heights.

Joe Pellegrini, with over 20 years of experience, is a prominent figure in the fields of product photography and food & drink photography. Beyond his expertise in photography, he is also a skilled painter, infusing his artistic sensibilities into national campaigns for renowned brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Kellogg's, Tyson, and Ziploc. For the past 11 years, he has been the go-to photographer for Subway, responsible for capturing their national and international print and outdoor ads, as well as their in-store displays.

Joe consistently delivers captivating imagery with the utmost professionalism. Throughout his career, he has successfully portrayed a wide range of products, from Scrubbing Bubbles to Jim Beam.

On shoot days, Joe's studio is filled with energy as clients indulge in mini candy bars. Meanwhile, Joe collaborates with a talented team of food stylists, special effects experts, and digital technicians. Together, they approach each shot with practiced efficiency, ensuring exceptional results and a track record of success.

John Bennett is a London-based photographer specialising in jewellery and luxury fashion accessories. His love of still life imagery stems from a fascination with composition, the space between objects, the beautiful forms that they create.

To photograph luxury jewellery and high-end accessories is an art and John’s skill and experience makes it look effortless. His immaculate lighting techniques and photography skills have won him a prestigious list of commercial clients including De Beers, Church’s, Chanel, Harrods and Holland & Holland.

John is represented by JSR. See more of his work here and follow the agency on Instagram for the latest projects.

John Grande is constantly trying the push the boundaries of commercial photography. Iconic American brands such as Spam and Ocean Spray cranberry sauce are sliced apart and suspended in patterns to transcend their original workaday purpose while still maintaining the appetising nature of the food and brand. John’s fascinated by light, a master rigger on set and claims to be the second best retoucher in NYC after a guy he knows named Billy (last name redacted).

Clients include Boston Scientific Watchman, Viagra, Kraft/Heinz, Capri Sun, Magnolia Bakery, DirecTV. John works from his studio on West 28th Street in NYC.

After working as a producer for many years, Kyla Elaine made the career change to photography after a life-long passion for the craft.

While playing with light and experimenting with shapes, textures, objects and colours, it is her unexpected approach that makes you look.

From polished to playful, Kyla challenges the boundaries of still life photography - unique angles, intended shadows, gravity-defying placements and animations serve to create memorable images.

Recent projects include the 'Heritage' campaign for adidas, campaign stills for a Saudi Arabian retail experience, and elevated stills for Tommy Jeans.

Kyla is represented by ROOFF, see more of her work here and follow on Instagram for the latest projects.

Leo Acker's playful and imaginative work makes him one of London's most in-demand still life photographers.

Whether in his Shoreditch studio or on location, Leo has built a reputation for his technical ability to translate ideas into bold and original images.

Regular clients include Russell & Bromley, Cult Beauty, Skin Rocks by Caroline Hirons, Marks & Spencer, Liberty, Jasper Conran, The Financial Times, Cosmopolitan, and Grazia Magazine.

Mikkel Jul Hvilshøj is a still life photographer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. He specialises in advertising and editorial assignments and has been shooting professionally for the past 19 years.

Mikkel's clean, graphic and colourful style defines his work and emphasises his goal to create images with a dynamic, elegant and luxurious feel. He loves the creative and technical challenges of working in photography and approaches each product he shoots with the same dedication to create stunning imagery.

Recent companies added to the client list are Carlsberg, Tuborg, Kronenbourg 1664, Bonduelle, Danish Dairy Board, InterFlora and Domino's Pizza. When not busy working for his often long-time clients, Mikkel enjoys working on his own personal projects and coaching his son’s football team.

Mikkel has been featured consistently in Lürzer's Archive’s 200 Best Advertising Photographers Worldwide since 2016.

Stay up-to-date with his work on his website and Instagram.

Omer Knaz is best known for work in the field of luxury goods and still life photography. Shooting jewellery, watches, fragrances and fashion accessories for the world-leading brands and publications.

With a depth of photography experience, he brings expertise, enthusiasm and commitment to every brief. Creating dynamic photographs in the advertising, editorial and commercial fields.
Whilst using the most up-to-date digital camera technology and lighting equipment Omer retains a firm belief in applying these tools only to enhance the image, leaving as much as possible to be created ‘in camera’.

His strong lighting and compositional skills, drawn from the discipline of film photography, gives his images a sense of reality that is so often compromised these days and is perfect for luxury products.

Clients include Tatler, UK Vogue, GQ, How to Spend It, 1843 Magazine, De Beers, David Morris, McDonald’s, Jo Malone, Aesop, Unilever, Harrods and Space NK to name a few.

Omer is represented by JSR; see more from Omer's work here and you can follow the agency on Instagram for the latest projects.

Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Paul Saraceno is a seasoned photographer specialising in food and product photography. Boasting an impressive career spanning over 25 years, Paul consistently produces breathtaking images, thanks to his meticulous attention to detail and strong connections with creative directors, food stylists, and prop/set designers.

Collaborating with proficient digital, video, and retouching teams, Paul ensures that his clients receive exceptional results. His expansive 5000 sq.ft. studio is furnished with a fully equipped kitchen and ample natural light, facilitating the creation of outstanding visuals.

To explore Paul's remarkable portfolio, visit his website.

Paul Zak is a multi-award winning, London-based, still life photographer and director.

He has become renowned for his graphic and striking imagery, where objects and their surrounding environments are portrayed with exquisite lighting and precise detail.

Paul’s technical knowledge and his unique set of lighting skills allow him to turn even the most simple object into a thing of beauty.

Inherently, he enjoys the challenge of interpreting a concept and working as part of a team, with creatives and crew to craft beautiful imagery.

His ability to create a distinctive style for every client he shoots for has led to a long list of premium clients including Audi, Canon, Chanel, Chivas, Don Perignon, Dove, Harpers, Johnnie Walker, Lurpak, Nespresso, Nike, Smirnoff, Space NK and The Economist to name but a few.

Paul is represented by Katy Niker, check out their Instagram and website for more info.

Based in Amsterdam, Rene Mesman is a highly skilled photographer with a specialisation in food and design.

Renowned clients such as Adidas, De Bijenkorf, Hema, and McDonald's have entrusted him with their projects. His remarkable work has been widely featured in prestigious publications like The New York Times, Elle Decoration, Linda Magazine, MacGuffin, Volkskrant Magazine, as well as notable books such as 'Lekker Fred' by Freddy Tratlehner and 'Een keuken van de Lage Landen' by Joris Bijdendijk.

Rene's passion for design shines through in his distinctive and personal style. Whether capturing interiors, products, or food, he effortlessly infuses warmth and texture into his photographs, creating captivating visual experiences.

Thomas van Schaik is a highly skilled studio photographer hailing from Amsterdam. He possesses expertise in capturing captivating still life, product, design, and occasional food photography. With a meticulous and human touch, he ensures that each product he photographs shines brilliantly.

His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with renowned clients such as Philips, JBL, VIVO, DelushFragrances, and numerous prestigious magazines.

Additionally, his personal projects have gained recognition in the photography community, earning him accolades in the Dutch photographers awards.

While primarily known for his expertise in studio photography, Thomas also enjoys shooting on location, further diversifying his creative range.