Jonathan Knowles is one of the leading advertising photographers of his generation. Specialising in liquids, drinks and still life, Jonathan’s unique photographic style and lighting techniques have earned him award-winning advertising commissions worldwide.

“When I was eight years old I was amazed by Harold Edgerton’s iconic milk splash image on the wall of my school’s science laboratory. I held onto that inspiration through my teenage years, when I bought my first camera. On the first roll of film in that camera, frames 16 and 17 were of splashing milk.

Since then, I have been fascinated by the ‘unseen forms of nature’ hidden within liquids and other natural elements. I have dedicated my life to capturing the beauty of these elusive moments, both in stills photography, and more recently using high speed motion cameras.”

Born in Yorkshire and raised in Windsor, Jonathan has been obsessed with photography since getting his first camera at 16 years old. He was hired for his first commissioned work one year later. Since then, he has created stunning imagery that captures the essence of powerful brands and catapults them to new heights.

A pioneer in liquids and drinks photography, Jonathan has influenced an entire category of advertising photography. He has the expertise to freeze time and capture physical elements in their pure and natural states. He has applied his masterful ability in still photography to filmmaking. Jonathan has created entire integrated projects including posters, print ads, TV commercials, websites and social media.

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Our Clients

Crossmedia Campaigns
Jonathan’s uniquely broad aptitude to shoot still and moving imagery has allowed him to create some remarkable cross media campaigns. Working with notable brands his experience has made him an integral part in helping them build significant and impactful content. The visuals cover an array of platforms, from TV commercials and OOH to social media and website.
Integrated Projects Portfolio
Film
Jonathan’s vast experience gained over a long career in stills photography translates gracefully into his moving image work. He uses his expertise in liquids and drinks to create stunning slow motion films capturing the flowing physical beauty of splashes and pours as they have never been seen before. He shoots compelling television commercials and films for a wide array of social media platforms.
Film Portfolio
Drinks & Liquids
Jonathan is a worldwide leader in drinks and liquids advertising photography. For most of his career, his outstanding work has inspired trends and techniques in this category. Years of experience at the highest level have made him an expert in manipulating splashes and pours to capture stunning imagery hidden in moments the naked eye cannot process. This ability translates smoothly into the product space, where he prioritises communicating each brand’s particular culture and spirit. Jonathan has worked with distinguished brands in the beer, wine, soft drinks, whisky, water, tea and coffee industries.
Drinks Portfolio Liquids Portfolio
Luxury Products
Jonathan’s meticulous attention to detail and precise lighting control give his luxury and beauty photography an elegant and graceful essence. Diamonds dazzle and sparkle, perfumes’ heavenly fragrances are finely depicted, and make-up glows on his subjects’ faces. His luxury and beauty photography command the extravagant reputation of brands in the jewellery, perfume, make-up, and cosmetics industries.
Luxury Portfolio Beauty Portfolio
People
From award-winning portraits of Prime Ministers and sports stars, to collections of photographs promoting advertising and product concepts, Jonathan’s people photography is exceptional. He has vast experience directing models to capture human moments beautifully. His deep understanding of the fundamentals of photography make for breathtaking images that incite emotional and personal connections.
People Portfolio
Still Life
Simplicity and purity are at the core of Jonathan’s work in still life advertising photography. His images of objects cut through the superfluous to deliver a clear message. His lighting and control of natural elements and objects converging create still and permanent beauty. He not only captures archetypal still life photographs, but has expertise in freezing subjects in motion using high speed lighting and cameras, and special effects when needed.
Still Life Portfolio

Awards

2024

Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

MBP Food Film Shortlisted - Bread & Spreads, and Fish & Chips

Communication Arts

Award of Excellence - Fish & Chips Film

American Photography 40

Chosen Winner - CleanCo and Malpractice for ITV

Graphis Photography Annual

Platinum – Edinburgh Gin

Gold – Benriach 40 YO, Madira Beer, Malpractice for ITV, Geometric Beauty, Kronenbourg 1664

Silver – Heineken Pure Malt, Club Orange

Honourable Mention – Ocean Spray Cranberry

2023

British Photography Awards

Shortlisted - Madira Beer and Malpractice

International Photography Awards

Third Place in Advertising Beauty - Geometric Beauty

Third Place in Advertising Music - Black Sabbath

Production Paradise Spotlight Awards

Shortlisted - Malpractice

Creativepool Annual

Silver - Malpractice

Bronze - Edinburgh Gin

Shortlisted - Club Orange, Madira Beer, Guinness Cold Brew, Camus Cognac

AOP Awards

Shortlisted - Malpractice Film, Thatchers Blood Orange Film, Geometric Beauty

ReFocus Color Awards

Nominee - Sipsmith FreeGlider

AI-AP International Motion Art Awards 11

Selected - Crêpes Suzette

American Photography 39

Chosen Winner - Madira Beer

16th International Color Awards

Edinburgh Gin Cannonball - Nominated

2022

British Photography Awards

Shortlist - Patek Philippe, Funky Irons, Dior Lipsticks, Saturate Your Senses

Capture Annual

Published - Guinness Six Nations

International Photography Awards

Bronze Award in Motion Category - Thatchers Cider

Creativepool Annual

Bronze - Dior Lipstick

ReFocus Black & White Awards

Honourable Mention - Aida

Production Paradise Spotlight Awards

Shortlist - Saturate Your Senses

American Photography 38

Chosen - Saturate Your Senses and Robinsons

One Eyeland Photography Awards

Silver - Photographer of the Year

Gold - UK Photographer of the Year

Advertising Photographer of the Year

AOP Awards

Finalist - Crêpes Suzette

Art Directors’ Club of New York

Shortlist - Saturate Your Senses

Trierenberg Super Circuit

Selected for exhibition

Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Highly Commended Finalist - Crêpes Suzette

Commended Shortlist - Microscopic Strawberry

Communication Arts

Shortlist - Crêpes Suzette, Saturate Your Senses, Hakutsuru Sake

15th International Color Awards

Honourable Mentions - Saturate Your Senses, Sipsmith FreeGlider, Funky Irons

2021

One Eyeland Still Life Awards

Top Photographer in the UK, Second Place Worldwide

Gold - Benriach Smoke Season, Sikkens, Thatchers

Silver - Benriach Original Ten, Chambord, Complex Simplicity, Seedlip,

Bronze - Chambord, Modernist Beer, Benriach Malting Season, Guinness 2020, Camus Cognac, Harpic, Sipsmith, Funky Irons

Finalist - Fettercairn, Exploding Chilli, Slime, Honeycomb

Lürzer’s Archive 200 Best Ad Photographers

Published - George Skeggs, Modernist Cheese, Modernist Beer, Fettercairn Whisky

Creative Communication Awards C2A

Advertising Winner - The Valley of Vinyl

Honourable Mentions - Sipsmith FreeGlider and Chambord

British Photography Awards

Shortlisted in Commercial Product Category - Guinness 2020

International Photography Awards

First Place in Advertising Motion Category - Benriach

Third Place in Advertising Motion Category - McIntosh

Honourable Mentions - Fettercairn, Benriach, Guinness 2020, Sikkens, Roku Gin, The Valley of Vinyl, Sipsmith

ICAD

Advertising Bronze - The Valley of Vinyl

Creativepool Annual

Silver - The Valley of Vinyl

Bronze - Harpic, Benriach

London International Creative Competition – LICC

Shortlist - The Valley of Vinyl

Graphis Photography Annual

Gold - Fettercairn 46, Benriach, Big Rocks, Asquith Bathrooms, Red Beauty

Silver - Gail Porter, Recycling Museum, Edinburgh Gin, Guinness 2020

The Drum – Roses Awards

Finalist - Benriach

American Photography 37

Chosen - Harpic and Fettercairn Whisky

OneEyeland Photography Awards

UK Photographer of the Year

Silver - Harpic and Benriach

Bronze - Château d'Yquem and MEDA

Finalist - Red Beauty, Benriach Portraits, Guinness and Edinburgh Gin

14th International Color Awards

Honourable Mentions - Flores Fluitantes, Ambient Drinks, Retro Beauty, Modernist Beer, Benriach

Nominee - Asquiths Bathrooms, Edinburgh Gin, Red Beauty, Beauty Drip

2020

Creative Communications Award C2A

Advertising Winner - Benriach, McDonald's Moon Landings, Mad Men, Dole Fruits

Honourable Mention - Big Rocks, DiorSHOW

WPE Awards

Silver Award - Big Rocks

International Photography Awards

Gold - Always Original

Silver - David Morris

Honourable Mentions - Red Beauty, McDonald’s Moon Landings, Mad Men, Art of Brewing, Art Deco Drinks, and Lady Justices of Gray’s Inn.

AOP Awards

Finalist - Modernist Beer

One Eyeland Black and White Awards

Bronze - Big Rocks

Production Paradise Spotlight Awards

Shortlisted - Dali

London International Creative Competition – LICC

Finalist - DiorSHOW

Shortlisted - Art of Brewing

Official Selection - Modernist Beer, Art of Brewing, Dali, Mad Men

Creative Pool Annual

Bronze - DiorSHOW

Shortlisted - Gail Porter, Modernist Beer, Big Rocks

Fresh Awards

Gold - Bletchley Park Gin

OneEyeland Photography Awards

Silver Award - Photographer of the Year

One Eyeland Fine Art Awards

Silver Award - Hogarth

Art Directors’ Club of New York

Merit - McDonald's Moon Landings

Graphis Photography Annual

2 platinum awards - Wishing on a Star, The taste of time

5 gold awards - Dior Ultra Rouge, Roja, George Skeggs, Miss Dior, Paint Flowers,

4 honourable mentions - San Miguel, Seedlip, McDonald's Hop House 13

One Eyeland Still Life Awards

Top in UK, 2nd place worldwide

British Photography Awards

Shortlisted in Macro Category - Kubrik

2019

Lürzer’s Archive 200 Best Ad Photographers

2019/20 Cover - Dali

International Photography Awards

Advertising Photographer of the Year

Kinsale Shark Awards

Gold - Bletchley Park Gin

Black & White Spider Awards

3rd Place Honourable Mention - Twiggy

WPE Awards

Silver Award - DiorSHOW

Trierenberg Super Circuit

Grand Prix Winner

Food Photo Festival

Exhibitor - Art Deco Drinks, Kubrick and Mad Men

Royal Photographic Society IPE 161

Exhibitor - Seniors

One Eyeland Awards

Bronze - Mad Men

AOP Awards Winner

Portrait Silver Award - Xueli

Finalist - Temptations

Finalist - Derelict

American Photography 35

Winner - Xueli

Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year

Shortlisted - Christmas Fun 2019

Graphis – Photography Annual

2 Platinum Medals - Parker Pens and Underwater Symphony

6 Gold Medals in 4 Categories - (Portrait, Fashion and Beauty, Still Life and Advertising)

5 Silver Medals in 2 categories - (Still Life and Beverage)

7 Honourable Mentions

Awarded Graphis Photography Master Title

Art Directors’ Club of New York

Merit - Ocean Risk

FIAP

Gold Medal - Cicada

2018

Lürzer’s Archive 200 Best Ad Photographers

Featured - Chopard, Luxure Next Gen, Art Deco Drinks, Dole, Vintage Flowers

The Drum – Design Awards

Photography Winner - Aida

American Photography

Chosen - Champagne Cocktail

Trierenberg Super Circuit

Gold Medal - Cicada

PDN Annual

Winner - Video & Multimedia - The Art of Brewing

London International Creative Competition

Honourable Mention - Aida and Passage of Time

One Eyeland Black & White Photographers Awards

Silver - Aida

Art Directors’ Club of New York

Merit - Aida

Communication Arts

Advertising - Aida

Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Awards

unearthed® Food Film Shorts - Full English Brexit

Graphis – Photography Annual

2 Gold Medals in 2 categories (Beverage and Beauty & Fashion)

7 Silver Medals in 2 categories (Still Life, Beauty & Fashion and Advertising)

4 Merits in 3 categories (Advertising, Still Life and Beverage)

One Eyeland Awards

Gold Medal - Complex Simplicity

Silver Medal - Aida

Bronze Medal - Chopard, Dior, Dole, Trajectories and Art Deco Drinks

Finalist in 4 categories

Overall Photographer of the Year

Advertising Photographer of the Year

2017

AOP Awards Winner

Commissioned Design - Aida

Trierenberg Super Circuit

Gold Medal - Retro

Graphis – Photography Annual

7 Gold Medals in 4 categories (Beauty and Fashion, Flowers, Still Life and Journalism)

2 Silver Medals in 2 categories (Still Life and Portraits)

One Eyeland Awards

Bronze Medal - Men's Make up

Finalist in 9 categories

2016

AOP Awards Nominee

Non Commissioned Object – Single Stained Glass

One Eyeland Awards

3 Bronze Medals – Nature, Advertising Beauty, Advertising Still Life.

4 Finalists – Advertising Still Life, Advertising Beauty, Fine Art Portrait, Specialist Lighting.

Lürzer’s Archive 200 Best Ad Photographers

Featured - Costa Coffee, Untamed Bags, Chopard, Balloon Burst, Exploding Flowers

PDN Annual

Best Stock Photography – Squish

American Photography Awards

AP32 Chosen Winner – Orange Vintage Flowers

Graphis – Photography Annual

Platinum for Hogarth

Gold for Men’s Make-Up & Infatuation

Silver for McCafé & Replicant

Merit for Vintage Flowers & Growing Up At Eton

2015

Creative Review Photography Annual

Best Stock Photography – Vintage Flowers

AOP Awards Nominee

Non Commissioned Object Series – Vintage Flowers

PDN Annual

Best Self Promotion – Liquids book

One Eyeland Awards

Photographer of the Year

Silver Medal in 4 categories

Graphis Photography Annual

2 Golds – Still Life and Animals

1 Silver – Portraits

3 Merits – Beauty & Fashion, Flowers and Portraits

2 Nominations – Advertising

2014

AOP Awards Nominee

Commissioned Advertising – Schwarzkopf Bubbles

PDN Annual

Best Self Promotion – ‘Christmas Clea’ Card

Lürzer’s Archive 200 Best Ad Photographers

Featured - Superhero Lips, Flaviana, Black Sabbath, Gingers, Old Masters

Art Directors Club Awards

Merit – Black Sabbath 13

Graphis – Photography Annual

Silver in 3 categories (Portraits, Beauty, Beverage)

Merit in 2 categories (Still Life, Entertainment)

One Eyeland Awards

Silver Medal in 2 categories (Beauty, Music)

Bronze Medal in 1 category (Still Life)

Finalist in 2 categories (Portrait)

2013

Creative Review Photography Annual

Best Design Photography – Black Sabbath 13

Graphis – 100 Best in Design

Silver for Cicada

Graphis – 100 Best in Photography

2 Golds for Beauty images

Graphis – 100 Best in Advertising

Gold for The Guardian – Broken Britain

PDN Annual

Advertising winner – Omo Campaign

One Eyeland Awards

Silver medal in 3 categories Bronze medal

2012

Graphis – 100 Best in Advertising

The Guardian – Broken Britain

Graphis – 100 Best in Photography

Four Images Selected

AOP Awards Nominee

Commissioned Design Single – Make Model CD

PX3 Awards

Overall Winner – Photographer of the Year

Winner – Advertising Beauty Photography

2011

Graphis – 100 Best in Photography

Three images selected

AOP Awards Nominee

Portrait of David Cameron

Lürzer’s Archive – 200 Best Advertising Photographers

PDN – The Look

Still Life Series

PX3 Awards

Advertising Beauty – Silver Medal

Fine Art Still Life – Bronze Medal

2010

The Photography Masters Cup

1st place – Outstanding achievement in the food section

3rd place -Honour of Distinction in the Abstract section

3rd place – Honour of Distinction for the Photographer of the Year

Graphis Photography Annual

Lürzer’s Archive – 200 Best Advertising Photographers

Bronze ‘Creative Circle’ Award

2009

Campaign Big Award

Winner – Soft Drinks and Household Poster

Campaign Photo Awards – Finalist

2008

Graphis Photography Annual

Lürzer’s Archive – 200 Best Advertising Photographers

2007

New York RX Club and Global Awards

Gold – Best Campaign for Xenical

2006

Lürzer’s Archive – 200 Best Advertising Photographers