The 8 Best Still Life Photographers in Glasgow

Glasgow still life photographers are some of the most creative we’ve found! They partner with local and international brands that have products they want to feature. Some specialize in food or beverages while others prefer activewear and cosmetics. Many work in home studios while others prefer working on location to capture the venue’s lighting, vibe, and other elements.

But still life photography is more than just brand partnerships. One of our top photographers avoids commercial partnerships entirely and focuses on playful, creative stories for her own delight! Which approach is of most interest to you?

1. Daniel McAvoy

No list of the top Glasgow still life photographers would be complete without Daniel McAvoy! His work is the result of hundreds of partnerships with local and national brands. Daniel’s beverage, cosmetics, and food photography are in a style that’s rich in contrast, with colors that enhance memories of flavor or feel.

And as beautiful as each item is, Daniel also works lifestyle elements into the scene using props and backgrounds that convey a deeper narrative. We get a sense of the kind of person or location that would enjoy a given item. And when not working on still life Daniel also works as a commercial fashion, wedding, and property photographer.

2. David Monaghan

David Monaghan is a filmmaker, media creator, and commercial photographer based in Glasgow. His specialty is cultivating an image that artistically reflects the values and experience offered by a particular brand. That’s why he counts partners like Tsingtao, Jagermeister, and European Tour as satisfied partners of his! You get a sense of relaxation, excitement, bonding, and other emotional qualities that are hard to capture through the visual medium.

David does this through a masterful eye for details and knowledge of what sort of compositions reliably engage his target audience. He also gives viewers a closer look at the people behind a brand. The faces of chefs, bartenders, and other people who help a dish or beverage make its way to your table.

3. Daniel Buckingham

Commercial and still life food photography are the specialties of Daniel Buckingham. Sienna tones, soft shadows, and subdued lighting give his images a signature flair. One that is perfect for coffee shops, baked desserts, and frosty beers.

Some of Daniel’s images also have an active character to them thanks to items being photographed while airborne. His work demonstrates a sensitivity to the mood of a brand and item. At times the image feels relaxed and quiet while others have real intensity to them.

4. Eleanor Dunlop

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Eleanor Dunlop is a Glasgow still life photographer whose work is a continuation of her love for the arts. She spent over a decade working as a professional musician before moving on to the visual arts. She started photographing ballet dancers at a local dance school and eventually branched out to include still life, interior spaces, and travel.

Eleanor’s style is consistent in character; one hallmark of a mature photographer. She prefers warm, amber tones and texture-rich subjects. Statues, wheels of cheese, local landmarks…Eleanor’s work celebrates beauty wherever she finds it!

5. Julija Bernatovica

International brands like Jack Daniels choose to work with Julija Bernatovica whenever they are in Glasgow! She studied photography in college, graduating from The University of Abertay. Julija has spent the last several years furthering her career as a commercial artist by telling the stories of food and beverage companies. She also creates portraits and highlights the flow of local events.

Julija’s food and beverage still life photography is remarkable in how she emphasizes natural textures, colors, and other details. She works intimately close so we get to appreciate aspects that would escape our notice before taking our first bite. The moisture of a meat dish, the twisting of the steam, the crisp textures of a cookie…All are enhanced using sharp contrast and ideal studio lighting! Julija’s background choices convey story notes as well. Instead of merely appreciating a pretty arrangement, we also get a sense of the vibes of a fine dining establishment.

6. Chris Lomas

Chris Lomas has been a commercial Glasgow still life photographer for 31 years and counting! He caters to household name brands like Samsung, Dalmore Constellation Collection, and Red Bull, all of whom want to mix luxury narratives with artistic still life compositions.

With his vast experience and international reach, Chris’s work has been featured in publications and advertisements in more than 46 countries.

7. Clair Irwin

Food and photography are two of Clair Irwin’s favorite things, so it makes perfect sense that she’d want to combine them! She studied fine art photography at the Glasgow School of Art. Her formal studies and 20 years of experience in the catering trade give Clair an expert knowledge of working both sides of the camera.

She knows how to make dishes that captivate and excite viewers and then she photographs them in ways that maximize their appealing qualities. We most enjoy how Clair uses shapes in the frame. Bowls, napkins, silverware, and other props add geometric patterns like circles, lines, and triangles upon which textures, colors, and tones are impressed. Her fine art background is unmistakably evident.

8. Jacki Gordon

Jacki Gordon is a Glasgow still life photographer whose work is of a different order from the others on our list! Instead of commercial partnerships, she focuses on a creative exploration of the genre. During the COVID lockdowns, Jacki sought to entertain family and friends while keeping to protocols.

Her still life scenes use items from the fridge, coupled with human miniatures that never fail to make you smile! Jacki replicates mountaintop excursions, dance parties, farmers hard at work…Each still life image is whimsical and a testament to her endless creativity!

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