The 8 Best Still Life Photographers in San Francisco

Looking forward to seeing the work of the best San Francisco still life photographers? We get it! And if you’re looking for a still life artist to showcase your newest creations then there is no better place to begin your search than San Francisco!

As a major creative hub in the United States, the artists here happen to be some of the best in the world. They are in demand with huge international brands and many are also fine artists who appreciate still life for its own sake. Which one of the top San Francisco still life photographers is right for your needs

1. Marshall Gordon

No list of the top San Francisco still life photographers would be complete without Marshall Gordon! He specializes in bringing food, beverages, and products to life. He operates out of his studio and on location as needed, helping businesses find their target audiences with rich, narrative-driven images.

Some of Marshall’s brand partners include Acacia Wines, Ghirardelli, Kikkoman, and Diamond Foods! They chose him due to his talent for flexibly adjusting his style to meet the goal of each shoot. At times, Marshall favors a dark and moody approach that caters to a fine dining or recipe book collaboration. Yet he’s just as fluent at using bright natural light and simple compositions to highlight drinks for a travel-oriented beverage narrative!

2. Maren Caruso

Maren Caruso is a true native of the area, born and raised in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury neighborhood. She’s documented the city through decades of change using her camera, which inspired her to study photojournalism in college. During her studies, Maren branched out into still life food photography by assisting in a commercial photographer’s studio. She now has over 100 cookbooks’ worth of food photographs completed!

This work has made Maren sensitive to the power of objects to instill a sense of wonder in us when captured in just the right way. In her words: “There is a special moment when food reveals its optimum appetite appeal. Like food, all objects have their sweet spot and finding it is what I challenge myself to do with everything that I photograph.”

3. Andria Lo

Raised in the far-flung states of Alaska and Texas, Andria Lo now calls San Francisco home. Her background in studio art gave her a strong foundation for becoming a top still life photographer since this genre relies heavily on careful compositions and ideal studio lighting.

Andria offers a crisp, contemporary take on still life photography. The colors are soft and pastel, while the lighting is bold and vibrant, revealing a riot of textures, shapes, and hues to explore! Andria’s vision even takes on an abstract character at times, where shape, lines, color, and light take center stage over a distinct subject.

4. Madelene Farin

Madeline Farin is a Los Angeles native who moved north to further her career as a still life and food photographer! BBC Travel, The Guardian, and other publications call on Madeline for her talent at including editorial and lifestyle narratives in her food images. As lovely as a luscious dish can be, it’s the accessories like cutlery, lighting, and background that help us understand the exotic travel dimension behind it.

Madeline’s still life is most powerful when contrast is involved. Light versus dark, organic curves and irregularities versus straight, man-made lines, vibrant color against deep shadow…There is a dynamic tension here that we can’t help but enjoy!

5. Ian Hanson

Ian Hanson is a San Francisco still life photographer who counts some of the largest companies in the world as partners of his. Google, Walmart, Rolling Stone, and Lowe’s all call on him when they need images that reliably transmit brand values and the services or products on display.

Ian is especially talented at highlighting how light engages with his subjects. His still life expertly reveals specular highlights on metallic and glass surfaces. He explores complex shadows using directional lighting without distracting us from the main subjects. Ian’s use of shapes and colors is also highly complementary to the vision of his clients!

6. Cera Hensley

Cera Hensley is a San Francisco still life photographer whose work explores a conceptual take on the genre. This means her compositions and messaging aren’t always as direct as that of other still life artists. Sometimes you’re asked to look a bit deeper; is the subject simply the food or cosmetic product being shown? Or are there lifestyle elements on hand to explore? Other times the real subject is the emotional narrative she suggests.

To that end, Cera often includes human subjects, which add interest and direct our gaze through what would otherwise be a chaotic composition. Her still life photography is complex without being overwhelming or unfocused. Just the kind of work we think you’ll love!

7. Nicole Morrison

As a food, product, and lifestyle photographer, Nicole Morrison brings still subjects to life using engaging, even whimsical compositions. The sense of playfulness and possibility in her work makes it all the easier to imagine ourselves relaxing on a beach, sipping a drink or preparing to dig into a sandwich stacked several layers high!

As she explains in her own words: “I like to create an aspirational version of reality that feels like a sunny day. A touch of the surreal is always welcome”. That’s what makes Nicole a favorite of brands like Skillshare, Nourish Co., and Impossible Foods!

8. James Ellerker

James Ellerker is a British-born photographer who now calls San Francisco home. His still life, editorial, lifestyle, and fashion work takes him to London and Los Angeles on occasion as well. He counts brands like Google, The North Face, and Walmart as satisfied customers, all businesses that know the power of still life product shots to engage with us and tell us more about the promise of a business!

A major reason why James is so good at his work is that despite his decades of experience he sees each project for the first time! In his words: “I treat each client as an individual, making sure they get what they want. This gives me enormous pleasure and job satisfaction, as does being part of the team.”

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