Richard Jackson - EXAMPLE for FD21

RICHARD JACKSON on life as a professional food photographer

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Inside Food & Drink

R i c h a r d

on life as a professional food photographer

From pizzas, pasta and burgers, to stir-fries, pancakes, teas, rums and soft drinks; if you can eat it or drink it, the chances are Richard Jackson has photographed it. Working with leading industry brands and supermarket chains within the UK for 30 years, Richard has mastered the ability of adding that little something special to the products he shoots.

What’s your favourite part of being a food and drink photographer?

Richard Jackson

Richard, what inspired you to get into photography?

I was inspired to be photographer from my dad really, he was in photographic retail all his life and a keen photographer, so I was around cameras and photographers from an early age. I decided I enjoyed taking pictures, and creating images more than selling the equipment.

I have always enjoyed shooting things and still life more than people, and like nice food.

Shooting food and drink products for Tesco in their in-house food photography studio started me on that route. I went freelance a couple of years later, shooting in London as well as Essex.

I’ve been lucky to work with some major brands in the industry, sometimes working with them from start-up, but it’s nice to work on exciting new products and with small producers in getting their story out there as effectively as possible and helping them to grow to their full potential.

I enjoy making the food come alive and look mouth-watering, making you want to pick it up and eat it! I also like creating stories with my pictures, using props to hint at a setting or an occasion.

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Talk us through your studio.

I’ve been in my current studio, close to Stansted airport, for over 18 years which was built from scratch for food and drink photography, as well as shooting from rental studios across London & the Midlands.

Truthfully, I produce my best work and am most productive shooting in my studio, as well as being more cost effective as I don’t have to pass on the studio hire fees.

What piece of equipment could you not do without?

My favourite piece of equipment is probably my lighting set up. I work mainly with flashlights but use a lot of modifiers to create a daylight feel. Whether that’s a sunny day or cosy fireside, lighting can really makes the image stand out.

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I also love my big studio camera stand.

It’s Swiss built and allows the camera to be moved all around the set with ease very precisely.

What projects have particularly stood out for you?

I enjoyed working on Cockspur Rum, especially the launch of the Balla Black brand worldwide. I had quite a lot of freedom to play with ideas and come up with a tongue in cheek hint of a voodoo vibe for the brand. I also enjoyed shooting burgers for Beefeater, with pouring gravy, which was a very messy shoot!

What advice would you give to an aspiring food and drink photographer?

The advice I would give an aspiring food and drink photographer is to try to develop your own style, and experiment, but ultimately, always remember that the final photograph is meant to make you feel hungry!

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