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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.

Clive Nichols’s signature
Clive Nichols leaning against a birch tree with his camera

Selected clients

The RHSHomes & GardensTorc PotsGaze BurvillThe National TrustUNICEFBritish Medical AssociationNextThe TelegraphCondé NastThames & HudsonThe English HomeSociety of Garden & Landscape DesignersPaolo Moschino LtdDavid HarberCountry LifeThe English GardenThe Sunday TimesPeriod LivingHorticulture MagazineThe Newt in SomersetRocco Forte HotelsThe Royal ParksWoodmansterneMilieu MagazineEden ProjectRoyal Botanic Gardens, KewHouse & GardenArchitectural DigestGardens IllustratedVerandaRizzoli New YorkPhaidon
A garden terrace in autumn: pots of pink cyclamen around a white cafe table and chairs, a vine turning red on the stone wall behind

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



Meet the team

Julie Kelly

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 in a show garden at Chelsea

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 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

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

YearAwardResultAwarded by
2024Gordon Rae Photographer of the YearWinnerGarden Media Guild
2023Features Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild
2023Gordon Rae Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild
2019Features Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild, for The English Garden, Gardens Illustrated and Country Life
2019Gordon Rae Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild
2018Features Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild, for Garden Design, Country Life and Gardenia
2018Gordon Rae Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild
2017Gordon Rae Photographer of the YearWinnerGarden Media Guild
2016Book Photographer of the YearWinnerGarden Media Guild, for Paradise Found (teNeues)
2015Features Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild, for Amateur Photographer
2015Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild
2014Features Photographer of the YearWinnerGarden Media Guild, for Ragley Hall
2014Book Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild, for Clive Nichols’ English Gardens
2013Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild
2012Book Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild, for Mediterranean Landscape Design
2012Photographer of the YearShortlistedGarden Media Guild
2005Features Photographer of the YearWinnerGarden Writers Guild
2005Garden Photographer of the YearWinnerGarden Writers Guild
1994Best Specialist BookWinnerGarden Writers Guild, for RHS Photographing Plants and Gardens

Books

YearTitleCreditPublisher
2024Grounded in the GardenPhotographs, with Jason Ingram; text by TJ MaherPimpernel PressBuy
2022Brilliant English GardensPhotographs; text by Clare Foster, foreword by Dan PearsonClearviewBuy
2015Paradise Found: Gardens of EnchantmentPhotographsteNeuesBuy
2014Clive Nichols: English GardensPhotographs; text by the Land GardenersThe Land GardenersEnquire
2012Mediterranean Landscape Design: Vernacular ContemporaryPhotographs; text by Louisa JonesThames & HudsonBuy
2011Nicole de Vésian: Gardens – Modern Design in ProvencePhotographs; text by Louisa JonesActes SudBuy
2010Florescence: The World’s Most Beautiful FlowersPhotographs; text by Noel KingsburyMerrellBuy
2007The Art of Flower & Garden PhotographyAuthor and photographerAurum PressBuy
2005How Does Your Garden Grow?Photographs; text by Clare MatthewsHamlynBuy
1998Colour by Design: Planting the Contemporary GardenPhotographs; text by Nori and Sandra PopeConran OctopusBuy
1997Planting CompanionsPhotographs; text by Jill BillingtonRyland Peters & SmallBuy
1995Herb Garden DesignPhotographs; text by Ethne ClarkeFrances LincolnBuy
1994RHS Photographing Plants and GardensAuthor and photographerDavid & CharlesBuy

Your creation, in its best light

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