20 Sneaker Photographers You Absolutely Need To Know

Handy with the lens.

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Instagram filters have made everyone a "photographer" in recent years, but when it comes time to really capturing the heart and sole of sneakers, there are clearly people who have their way with the camera and those who don't. Not saying that there aren't hundreds — or even thousands — of very skilled Instagrammers when it comes to sneaker photos, but there is still nothing better than the high quality a real camera offers. With that said, we hunted down some of the best in the business at capturing sneakers. Some may have websites where you can dig through years of sneakers, while others may have chosen Flickr or Instagram as their one and only outlet for their sneaker photos. Check out 20 Sneaker Photographers You Absolutely Need To Know.

Joe Venuto

Website: Joe Venuto
Instagram/twitter: @joevenuto

Joe Venuto is a name you should already know if you're into sneakers. He's always churning out some of the best photos of new and upcoming releases in the web. For instance, these Gamma Blue Jordans that drop later this year. Yes, please.

Justin Hogan

Website: Thanks Camera
Instagram/twitter: @thankscamera

Justin may not have a name you recognize quite yet, but we can gaurantee you have seen his work. If you've ever watched Quickstrike, he's the man that puts it all together and provides images of the shoes Russ and Clark discuss on every episode.

Angel Gonzalez

Website: squarespace.vagrantSneaker.com
Instagram/twitter: @VagrantSneaker

Not to discount anyone else on this list, but if you have seen a pair of New Balance or a pair of Saucony runners that had you drolling from the images, it was probably shot by Angel. His eye is impeccable and his photos are beautiful. If you actually follow him over on Instagram, he breaks out of the sneaker shell and shoots some incredible shots of the city.

Eddie Eng

Website: EddieEng.com
Instagram/twitter: @eng1337

Eddie is a contributor to Hypebeast and as you can see, he's definitely skilled with the camera. You've been sleeping on him. Now you have no excuse.

Vince Sirico

Website: Vince Sirico
Instagram/twitter: @vincesirico

Vince shoots for Modern Notoriety and has some serious skill behind the camera. From classics like the original Air Jordan XI to more modern releases, there's no shortage of great subjects and great photos wherever Vince shares his work.

Raven Varona

Website: Raven Varona
Instagram/twitter: @ravieb

Raven has found a niche that many others have attemped and failed at. She's taken a classy and sexy approach to shooting women in dope sneakers. You should already know her name but if you don't, you do now.

Professor K

Website: N/A
Instagram/twitter: @kicksology

Professor K, better known as Ernest Kim, was the founder and sole purveyor of kicksology dot net, the godfather of all sneaker review sites. And while his performance reviews were generally the draw, it was his photos - all shot on pure white - that stood out. The secret? Shooting them in his bathroom. Now you know.

Retrokid

Website: retrokid.com
Instagram/twitter: @retrokid45

As one of the early founders of Sole Collector, Retrokid paved the way for a lot of the others on this list. Though we're still hoping for an update to retrokid.com just in time for 2015, his Instagram is loaded with insane sneaker photos, which should tide you over if that site update never comes.

Liz Barclay

Website: Liz Barclay
Instagram/twitter: @liz01

Liz may have a passion for shooting food but as the photographer for us here at Complex Mag, we can't help but be excited about her sneaker photos. And don't sleep on her Instagram, she's got plenty of heat for her feet, too.

Dunksrnice

Website: Dunksrnice.net
Instagram/twitter: @Dunksrnice

Despite the name, Rolo's photography isn't limited to just Nike Dunks. In fact, he's got a passion for vintage kicks and a scroll through his site is bound to show you some kicks you've probably never seen before.

Tyler Mansour

Website: KithSet
Instagram/twitter: @Arab_Lincoln

Having the responsibility of capturing the one of the hottest brands in recent memory isn't an easy job. However, Tyler seems to do it with ease. As a member of the #KithSet, Tyler masterfully captures the work of Ronnie Fieg and shares it with the world. From product shots, to models, to concert photography, Tyler is as well rounded as they come, and we are just happy that he takes the time to shoot some sneakers every once in a while.

Noe Photos

Website: Noe Gallery
Instagram/twitter: @noephotos

We don't see as many sneaker shots as we used to from Noe Photos anymore, and that stings a little because of his unique eye. His aproach was raw and revealed more about the surrounding and environment the shoes were in then the shoe itself. He managed to capture the atmosphere in which the shoes exsited and allowed the story to be told through that lens. Here's to hoping that he brings a bit more of this style back in the near future.

Phillywise

Website: N/A
Instagram/twitter: @Phillywise

Is it the flash, the bokeh, the scantily clad girls that litter his instagram feed? We are not sure exactly what it is, but we do know that Phillywise has a very particular eye when it comes to taking pictures of his sneakers. His single shots of the sneaker against the blue skies are captivating, while his shots of the shoes against a black background are equally haunting. Either way it goes, we suggest you give the guy a follow.

ShoeTown50

Website: ShoeTown 50
Instagram/twitter: @Shoetown50

Certain photographers are able to tell a story with their images, and ShoeTown50 is one of those photographers. Looking at his images, the feeling of desolation and loneliness come through. His shots often include the side profile of a sneaker and a mostly empty background. Each shot feels like it leads to the next; a journeymen of sorts. Where he is going, we don't know, but we do love they way he captures his sneakers.

Shooto

Website: Shooto Flikr
Instagram/twitter: @Shooto

Shooto's take on photography blends a nice piece of high-end with the simpliity of street style. He has a knack for capturing the arts and displaying them in a way that continues the original message. For his sneaker shots, they are often set alone, allowing them to take up the frame and be the focus of the image. He lets the sneaker design speak for itself. Nothing fancy here, just the truth.

M.J. Rodriguez

Website: M.J. Rod Flikr
Instagram/twitter: @MJROD1985

M.J. love the night. His long-exposure shots of the city are incredible and show case his eye for composition. When it comes to sneakers, M.J. puts forth the same effort and often provides dramatic shots that reek of nostalgia. And we all know how much sneakerheads love nostalgia.

Jacques Slade

Website: Kustoo.comt
Instagram/twitter: @Kustoo

Jacques may be known for being behind and in front of a video camera but he's also perfected his craft with still photos as well. There are few people that offer as many high-res and high-quality images as he does.

Uncle Luc

Website: EyeProjekt
Instagram/twitter: @eye_projekt

Product photography is an art. While most people just imitate what others have done down to the background, Uncle Luc, takes his time and frames up shots in a way that keep you wanting more. The worst part about Uncle Luc, is that he doesn't shoot enough sneaker. At least that is our opinion.

John Kim

Website: Sneakernews.com
Instagram/twitter: @JohnBeeJKim

You may not know it, but you have seen plenty of John's work if you love sneakers. As one of the head guys over at Sneaker News, John's talents are often seen in the SN SELECT series, as well as those glamorous images of unreleased kicks that hit the site. Easily one of the best out there in the blog world.

Quickworks Photo

Website: Quickworks Photo
Instagram/twitter: @qu1ckworks

Pat is one of the OGs from the Sole Collector forum and in addition to his sneaker photography, he's one of the most well known photographers in the autmotive world. You can see the passion oozing from every picture and if you're not following, you're truly missing out.