Clive Nichols is an internationally acclaimed flower and garden photographer with over forty years’ experience. Self-taught, he is based in rural Oxfordshire and travels to gardens all over the world.
Famous for his soft, painterly style and his use of light to create magical images, it is this very skill that has earned him many awards over the years, and his passion for the subject comes across in every image he makes.
Clive knows he’s a lucky man, despite the pre-dawn starts and braving freezing temperatures to capture the best images. “I’ve got the best job in the world,” he says.

Selected clients

The story
Based in Oxfordshire, Clive has photographed some of the world’s most prestigious private gardens and residences including HRH King Charles III’s estate in Scotland, British fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper’s private Cheltenham estate and David Beckham’s Cotswolds residence among them. His work fills hundreds of books, magazines and calendars; the Garden Media Guild has recognised his work on numerous occasions; he teaches garden photography for the Royal Horticultural Society; and more than 215,000 people follow his work on Instagram.
The studio
- enquiries@clivenichols.comCopy email
- +44 (0) 1295 712288Copy number
- The Conifers, Thorpe Road
Upper Wardington
Banbury OX17 1SP
Google MapsClive Nichols Photography Ltd
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Julie Kelly
Working closely with Clive as his Personal Assistant and Office Manager for over two decades, Jules brings together a love of gardens, images, and creativity, with an in-depth knowledge of the photo licensing industry, specifically within the horticultural arena. From researching inspiring images and managing picture rights to organising travel, supporting sales and maintaining a strong social media presence, Jules ensures that the small but buzzing studio runs smoothly, keeping things organised behind the scenes.

Annette Warren
Annette is a writer and regular contributor in publications such as Homes & Gardens and The English Garden. She accompanies Clive on many of his photo shoots in the UK and overseas, working as stylist and photography assistant. Annette’s interest in horticulture, garden history and floristry complements Clive’s work and in addition Annette writes their weekly Substack newsletter, The Green Weekend. Annette documents gardens she has visited on her Instagram page – garden visitor UK – and her own work is at annettewarren.co.uk.

Stephen Johnson
Stephen is Clive’s digital assistant on shoots, giving the art director a live view from the camera, and retouches the commissioned work.

Jane Nichols
A founding partner of Clive Nichols Photography, Jane now leads Sustainable South Hams in Devon. She was founding chairman of the Garden Photographers’ Association and a founding partner of the company behind IGPOTY.
Awards
| Year | Award | Result | Awarded by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year | Winner | Garden Media Guild |
| 2023 | Features Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild |
| 2023 | Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild |
| 2019 | Features Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild, for The English Garden, Gardens Illustrated and Country Life |
| 2019 | Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild |
| 2018 | Features Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild, for Garden Design, Country Life and Gardenia |
| 2018 | Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild |
| 2017 | Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year | Winner | Garden Media Guild |
| 2016 | Book Photographer of the Year | Winner | Garden Media Guild, for Paradise Found (teNeues) |
| 2015 | Features Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild, for Amateur Photographer |
| 2015 | Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild |
| 2014 | Features Photographer of the Year | Winner | Garden Media Guild, for Ragley Hall |
| 2014 | Book Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild, for Clive Nichols’ English Gardens |
| 2013 | Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild |
| 2012 | Book Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild, for Mediterranean Landscape Design |
| 2012 | Photographer of the Year | Shortlisted | Garden Media Guild |
| 2005 | Features Photographer of the Year | Winner | Garden Writers Guild |
| 2005 | Garden Photographer of the Year | Winner | Garden Writers Guild |
| 1994 | Best Specialist Book | Winner | Garden Writers Guild, for RHS Photographing Plants and Gardens |
Press
| Year | Publication | Piece |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Country Life Podcast | What not to miss at the Chelsea Flower Show, with Kathryn Bradley-Hole |
| 2024 | Country Life | Clive Nichols: Secrets from the king of garden photography (article and podcast) |
| 2023 | The Home Page | In conversation with Clive Nichols, Britain’s best garden photographer |
| 2023 | Genus | Q&A with Clive Nichols, garden photographer |
| 2023 | Horticulture.co.uk | Clive Nichols on photographing some of the world’s best-known gardens |
| 2020 | My French Country Home Magazine | Interview with Clive Nichols, Britain’s best garden photographer |
| — | Canon Europe | Photographing gardens with Clive Nichols |
| — | Anthophile | Interview: Clive Nichols |
| 2015 | Learning with Experts | Interview with master photographer Clive Nichols |
Books
| Year | Title | Credit | Publisher | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Grounded in the Garden | Photographs, with Jason Ingram; text by TJ Maher | Pimpernel Press | Buy |
| 2022 | Brilliant English Gardens | Photographs; text by Clare Foster, foreword by Dan Pearson | Clearview | Buy |
| 2015 | Paradise Found: Gardens of Enchantment | Photographs | teNeues | Buy |
| 2014 | Clive Nichols: English Gardens | Photographs; text by the Land Gardeners | The Land Gardeners | Enquire |
| 2012 | Mediterranean Landscape Design: Vernacular Contemporary | Photographs; text by Louisa Jones | Thames & Hudson | Buy |
| 2011 | Nicole de Vésian: Gardens – Modern Design in Provence | Photographs; text by Louisa Jones | Actes Sud | Buy |
| 2010 | Florescence: The World’s Most Beautiful Flowers | Photographs; text by Noel Kingsbury | Merrell | Buy |
| 2007 | The Art of Flower & Garden Photography | Author and photographer | Aurum Press | Buy |
| 2005 | How Does Your Garden Grow? | Photographs; text by Clare Matthews | Hamlyn | Buy |
| 1998 | Colour by Design: Planting the Contemporary Garden | Photographs; text by Nori and Sandra Pope | Conran Octopus | Buy |
| 1997 | Planting Companions | Photographs; text by Jill Billington | Ryland Peters & Small | Buy |
| 1995 | Herb Garden Design | Photographs; text by Ethne Clarke | Frances Lincoln | Buy |
| 1994 | RHS Photographing Plants and Gardens | Author and photographer | David & Charles | Buy |