The 8 Best Still Life Photographers in Denver

When we talk about still life the first thing people often think of is flowers and fruit. And while these are popular still life subjects, there is so much more to the genre. Common, everyday objects like rubbish and rocks, tools, products, and even cars find their way into the portfolios of the best Denver still life photographers.

All of these expert photographers seek to help you reimagine what you know about the things that surround us. So take a moment to explore with us and see what their vision of the world reveals!

1. Katie Buckman

Unlike many Denver still life photographers, Katie Buckman’s work explores dark and moody compositions. The trend in most commercial still life product work is to create bright and cheerful images.

Yet Katie uses dark backgrounds and subdued light. These invite you to instead appreciate organic forms, how shadows move throughout the scene, and what brought these items together in the first place. Katie’s still life photography has more of a conceptual fine art character that we think you’ll love!

2. Matthew Stacey

As a commercial and Denver still life photographer, Matthew Stacey runs a full-service studio here. He creates personal and business works of art that help his brand partners showcase their wares without skipping on the artistry.

Matthew’s style makes amazing use of shapes and lines. The colors featured are ideal for contemporary editorial advertisements. Glossy textures, specular reflections…All of it promises a luxury experience to potential customers. Small wonder that Matthew counts brands like Food Network Magazine, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein as satisfied clients of his!

3. Emily Minton Redfield

Emily Minton Redfield is an architectural and still life photographer, so her subjects range from massive country homes to small floral arrangements. Fruit and flower arrangements invite us to carefully consider each of the elements on display because, at first glance, the composition always looks ordinary. Yet there is an endless suite of things to consider.

The contrast in shapes, how colors complement each other…It’s all been arranged by Emily to convey a mood, emotion, or even a narrative!

4. Irina Sitnikoff

Irina Sitnikoff is a food photographer, recipe creator, and food blogger. Three highly complementary skills that make it clear what her favorite still life subject is! Irina was trained as a Le Cordon Bleu Paris Food Photographer and Recipe Development Alumni. So clients from food trucks to Michelin Star fine dining establishments can rest assured that Irina’s visual media is up to the task of showcasing their culinary creations.

One element that defines Irina’s style is her use of shadows and highlights. It has strong chiaroscuro elements, where darkness is used to isolate the subject while light reveals without overpowering subtle textures and tones.

5. Leigh Viner

Leigh Viner’s portfolio is a delightful collection of fine art pieces. From still life to travel, we get to explore beauty through her view of the world. She is a multidisciplinary artist who uses both paint and photography to transmit her vision.

In the still life realm, Leigh prefers flowers as a subject. Their organic forms show endless diversity; curving stems, crispy dead petals, and contrasting colors offer an abundance of intriguing subjects. Her preference for subdued hues from subjects that are often bright makes her work even more unique.

6. Audra Zaba

Audra Zaba’s love affair with photography started when she was quite young. She was watching the movie “Stepmom,” starring Julia Roberts, who was a photographer. She decided right then and there that commercial photography was the right path for her! And unlike the whims of other youngsters, Audra was spot-on in identifying her dream.

Over the years, she built up her brand until she became a top food and Denver still life photographer. In fact, national name brands like Kellogg’s, Quaker, and Pinnacle Vodka reach out to her. Audra’s use of diverse styles enables her to create a variety of shots. Her portfolio includes everything from macro-level detail shots that captivate you with texture and flavor memories to overhead spreads that feature dish after dish, complete with emotional and cultural cues to explore.

7. Judy Doherty

Judy Doherty has taken and delivered over 30,000 images in her career as a food, beverage, and CPG photographer. And even before becoming a top Denver still life photographer, Judy had prior experience as a chef and food stylist. So she knows how to ensure that every aspect of a food image speaks directly to its target audience in a powerful and cohesive manner.

As she shares in her own words: “Working closely with marketing teams, brand managers, agencies, PR firms, brand strategists, graphic designers, influencers, chefs, and entrepreneurs to build vivid, authentic imagery that engages the visual taste of the viewer is my passion.”

Judy has been recognized not only by us at Peerspace but also in several contests. She holds honors, including an AFC Gold Medal, APA Top 100, and being selected by a juried fine art exhibition at Art Basel, Miami.

8. Kristofer Cheng

Kristofer Cheng is a Denver still life photographer who also travels to New York, San Francisco, and even internationally on projects. He is active in several niches, in fact, including non-profit, landscape, and commercial photography. Kristofer also has several projects close to his heart, where he documents life in far-flung regions like Alaska and Mongolia.

His still life photography focuses on the product niche. Kristofer counts brands like Apple, Nike, and Samsung as partners of his and has a talent for weaving lifestyle elements into the story being shared. From outdoor adventure tales to clean, minimalist product portraits, Kristofer’s portfolio is a feast for the eyes!

Find unique photoshoot locations in Denver on Peerspace