The 7 Best Still Life Photographers in Columbus

Columbus is the very heart of Central Ohio. Its connections to the rest of the state and status as the capital make it the natural place for creatives and new brands alike to gather! Photographers are always in need, especially those who can showcase products, food, and services from a brand-oriented perspective. That’s where these talented Columbus still life photographers come in!

Their work helps customers better understand the values and possibilities offered by a company’s creations. Engage with their items from the comfort of your home, screen, or car. Many of these creatives also produce fine-art still life photography that explores everyday objects through careful lighting and a studied view.

1. Eclipse Creative

Eclipse Creative is a group of Columbus still life photographers that share a love for product imagery. They offer everything from portraits of items to large format graphics and retouching services, all captured in their 52,000 square foot Columbus studio and production space.

The studio has several sections for high-end still life imaging, including a 360-degree studio for comprehensive coverage of your item, as well as an e-commerce section for classic images with plain backgrounds for web use. And as awesome as their photography is, Eclipse Creative is also active in the videography, event, and graphics design niches.

2. Nicole Kendra

The commercial still life photography of Nicole Kendra includes food, beverages, and products. Cosmetics and other beauty products form a big part of her portfolio and demonstrate Nicole’s ability to create ideal studio light. In doing so, she features everything from the glossy slickness of lipstick to the metallic glint of jewelry.

These hard-to-photograph qualities are part of what immerses us in a still life product scene. Nicole also uses light with care in her food photography. Her approach is bolder here, with bright exposure and crisp contrast. Among the most intuitive still life photographers in Columbus, she favors working at intimate distances so we can better appreciate the visual qualities that inspire taste, smell, and other sensory memories in viewers.

3. Nick Fancher

Dramatic lighting and bold compositions are two of the qualities that define Nick Fancher’s photography. Based in Columbus and Los Angeles, Nick counts several national name brands as clients of his, including Adobe, Ohio State University, and Tim Hortons. His work has also been published in magazines like Forbes: Japan and The Atlantic. It’s no wonder he’s among the most noteworthy still life photographers in Columbus!

Nick’s still life photography is of two worlds: the commercial space, where businesses are looking to find their target audience using engaging product images, and the fine art realm, where Nick explores his own vision of beauty through photography. Both are equal expressions of still life, but we find his fine art images especially captivating! Nick chooses classic subjects like flowers and cutlery, but often aims for more abstract compositions using shadows and silhouettes, giving his work a more conceptual character that feels ethereal and even dream-like.

4. Ryan Benyi

Ryan Benyi is a Columbus still life photographer whose primary focus is on food and drinks. As a native of the area, he offers a local’s perspective on the Columbus culinary scene. From food trucks to downtown fine dining, Ryan’s partners are able to feature their dishes to customers well before they ever set foot in the door.

After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in commercial photography, Ryan was in New York City, where he spent the next 15 years studying under and assisting some of the top commercial photographers in the world. Ryan eventually returned home to Columbus, founding a new photography studio downtown.

5. Jen Brown

Jen Brown has over two decades of experience working as a lifestyle and branding photographer. Her contribution to the world of still life helps local companies better illustrate the services and items they have to share with their potential customers. Jen’s work conveys to viewers the kind of situations and people that they might engage with an item thanks to her eye for lifestyle elements.

She then uses a subdued editing approach, with soft shadows and gentle colors for a true to life character. Jen also has extensive experience working on marketing campaigns for brands like 614 Magazine and the Central Ohio Transit Authority. As a result, she knows better than most how to capture still life images that convey the essence of a brand’s values!

6. Mark Lunn Jr.

No list of the top Columbus still life photographers would be complete without Mark Lunn Jr. After all, he truly understands the importance of product still life images in the commercial space. As he explains in his own words: “It’s not just about creating an image, it’s about making the photograph, the photograph that captures your audience’s attention and makes them want to know more, more about your product and more about you.”

Mark’s style is vibrant and bold, with punchy contrast and artistic hero angles. He includes loads of details that allow you to make a close study of a particular food or product subject. His still life images often have an active quality to them as well. For example, Mark uses high speed photography to freeze falling or shattering objects as impactful still life images.

7. Eric Wagner

Sports and product still life photography is what Eric Wagner does best, which makes for an interesting combination since he regularly moves from fast moving, active subjects to quiet and unmoving ones. In addition, Eric has been active in the commercial scene for over 20 years and counts major brands like ESPN, Columbus Crew, and Champion as partners of his.

His food still life photography is some of our favorites as Eric has a talent for using shapes in artistic ways. Bowls, plates, and the natural shape of food form concentric circles and other complex designs. These still life techniques elevate his food photography beyond mere documentation to fine art!

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