The 7 Best Still Life Photographers in Cincinnati

Cincinnati still life photographers are some of our favorites to present to you! Because they are very diverse in their chosen subject matter. Some prefer to work with brands and companies, telling the stories of their food, apparel, cosmetics, and other creations. Others prefer flowers, produce, and conceptual fine art.

But all of these Cincinnati photographers invite you to slow down and take a closer look at what they’ve captured. There is endless beauty to be found in even the simplest item in their portfolios!

1. Allison McAdams

Allison McAdams is a Cincinnati still life photographer whose main subjects (besides portraits) are food and products. She holds a degree from Ohio University in visual communications and fine arts, which informs her talent for engaging viewers with her images. Allison counts Cincinnati Refined, Nestle Toll House, and UberEATS as a few of her brand partners.

Allison’s still life photography varies in character. Sometimes we have straightforward presentations of a beautiful or delicious subject, while other times she prefers a playful style that contains active or lifestyle elements. When photographing food, Allison gets close enough for us to really appreciate the subtle details that would escape a casual inspection. Her color grading approach is one where tones are nicely saturated yet don’t look unrealistic, either!

2. Philip Ficks

https://www.instagram.com/philipficks/

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Philip Ficks offers a local’s perspective on the possibilities of still life photography. He studied painting and graphic design in school and also worked as an art director for over a decade. Philip knows well the kind of compositions that reliably attract people and uses fine art principles in his commercial partnerships. Companies like Target, Woman’s Day, and Martha Stewart Living have all benefited from his considered approach to brand-oriented still life work!

His approach uses subdued colors and soft light, reminding us of contemporary interior dwellings. They are a perfect match for products like bedspreads, interior decor, and other home essentials. Philip also captures still life scenes that catch his interest in the world. Ice crystals, fall leaves, produce, and other natural subjects are as beautiful as any arranged composition!

3. Melissa Brock

https://www.instagram.com/melissa.woebbe.brock/

Melissa Brock is a Cincinnati still life photographer who works from her home studio capturing food and product images that help brands showcase their best work. She counts Pepsi and Totes as partners, just to name a few. Yet she also enjoys still life photography for its own sake, lighting up antiques, insects, and other subjects that catch her interest in her studio.

We most enjoy Melissa’s overhead tabletop spreads. These food images give us a bird’s eye view of a collection of items. A main dish like a sweet dessert is paired with accessories like knives, plates, unused ingredients, and so on. The complete story, then, is one of a newly baked bread loaf, a family gathering in progress, and so on. Melissa’s images have a complexity to them that heightens our appreciation of the main subject!

Yet she also simplifies as needed. Sometimes all it takes to pique our interest is a close-up of a delicious cookie captured in a way that makes us think we’re ready to take a bite! Melissa also includes sensory cues that remind us of the flavor, smell, and other qualities of an item we’ve had in the past. A complete sensory preview of a still life food subject using just the visual medium of photography.

4. Jessica Ebelhar

Fans of a modern approach to product still life photography will love Jessica Ebelhar’s approach. She works both on location as well as from her full-service studio in nearby Louisville. If you’re a fan of publications like The New York Times or USA Today then you may have seen Jessica’s work previously.

Her photography illustrates editorial articles, cookbooks, advertisements, social media marketing pages, and other outlets. Bright and bold colors characterize Jessica’s approach. These eye-catching tones are paired with a warm white balance and strong shadows thanks to the rise of directional lighting.

5. Jenna Bellonby

Jenna Bellonby is an up-and-coming portrait and Cincinnati still life photographer. Her work has been appreciated in galleries in Cincy, Columbus, London, Tel Aviv, and other cities. Jenna is also remarkable for being one of seven photographers in the entire world to get a perfect score while taking the 2018 AP Studio Art: 2-D Design exam.

Her still life photography explores complexities in shape and light. Rather than distinct subjects like flowers or food, Jessica’s work is a display of beauty and her vision of its potential.

6. Aaron Conway

https://www.instagram.com/aaconn.studio/

Aaron Conway photographs everything: people, places, and things are all on his list. And when it comes to still life subjects, the things he favors are commercial products like sporting goods and wine. His brand partners choose him because Aaron is a master of weaving lifestyle elements into the scene.

By including models and carefully chosen props, we get a sense of the kind of person that might engage with an item as well as the promise of a brand’s values and the experience said product provides. Channeling these emotional qualities is one of the hardest aspects of the job of a Cincinnati still life photographer.

7. Brooke Burrup

“Creating quality images that fit your brand” is the maxim that Brooke Burrup works by. And she succeeds masterfully! Her still life photography is all about helping companies reach their target audiences through reliable engagement. Brooke achieves this goal through compositions that flatter the subject and highlight its artistic qualities. She tends to use softer colors as well; ideal for cosmetics, food, and apparel. They are also well matched to the children that sometimes work as models.

We love the minimalist quality of Brooke’s still life photography as well. Instead of complex, dizzying compositions full of stuff, she brings your attention right to the main subject. It is an effective style that’s ideal for eCommerce and social media-based advertisements.

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