Michael Glass
Commercial Food & Restaurant Photographer — Jacksonville, FL
I'm Michael Glass. I photograph food and restaurants the way a brand director thinks about them — not just "does this look beautiful" but "does this make someone want to walk through the door."
Before launching Glass Creative Co., I spent over a decade in commercial advertising and production, building visual work for hospitality, lifestyle, and consumer brands. That background is what I bring to every restaurant I shoot for. I understand campaigns, brand standards, and what it takes to create images that perform — not just impress.
My focus is fine dining, upscale casual, and elevated hospitality. If your restaurant has a standard to uphold, that's exactly where I work best.
The Value You'll Receive
A creative partner, not just a photographer
I handle the planning, the shot list, the lighting, and the delivery. You don't have to manage any of it. Most clients tell me it's the smoothest shoot they've ever had.
An advertising eye on every frame
A decade of agency work means I think about your photos the way your marketing team should. What encourages bookings, what gets people through the door, what triggers them to order your newest menu feature.
A complete content library from a single session, and one that keeps on building
Every shoot, you'll receive images and video that work where you need them most. Websites, Google listings, social media, press, menus, visitor bureaus, and beyond. I host your images in an organized online library that makes it easy to pull what you need when you need it.
No awkward shoots, no wasted time
After a quick prep call and a minute of your chef's time day-of, I'm ready to get to work. I regularly work during or between service and know how to stay low-key. You've got a restaurant to run, and I respect you and your staff's time while I'm working.
Featured In
Coordinated with The Infatuation — one of the most trusted restaurant discovery platforms in the country — and over 20 Jacksonville restaurants to create editorial photography that highlighted signature dishes and dining atmosphere.
Read "The Best Restaurants In Jacksonville"Services
- Hero Dish & Menu Photography
- Atmospheric Interiors & Ambiance
- Chef & Staff Portraits
- Cocktail & Beverage Photography
- Brand Campaigns & Seasonal Content
- Cinematic Video & Reels
- Ongoing Monthly Content Partnerships
Professional Affiliations
I'm proud to be a member of professional organizations that uphold high standards in photography and business.
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
American Advertising Federation Jacksonville
Professional Photographers of America
My Creative Journey
Many moments built the foundation and molded my creativity into what it is today.
Studio Model & Darkroom Helper
I spent a lot of time around a camera during my first few years. My dad was a photographer, and I was often the stand-in while he dialed in lighting and composition.
Fun fact: I still have the pictured backdrop (as well as some others) in my repertoire.
High School
In high school, I finally clicked into the creative side of things. I discovered Photoshop, lived on tutorials, and started paying attention to photography in a real way. I was constantly on photography outings when I wasn't in school or working at Publix.
I joined Photography Club and was awarded “Most Artistic” my senior year. Looking back, it’s funny how obvious the path was.
University
I started college aiming for Computer Science, but it didn’t take long to realize I was chasing the wrong thing. After bouncing through an undecided stretch, I found advertising and it instantly made sense.
It combined everything I cared about: photography, design, creative problem solving, and marketing. I graduated in 2015 with a B.S. in Communications (Advertising) from the University of North Florida, and I was already working in social and creative roles along the way.
Annyeong, Korea
In 2016, I took a big left turn and moved to South Korea to teach English. I needed a reset, a challenge, and a little perspective outside the same routines.
Living abroad stretched me in the best way. I made lifelong friends, experienced places I’d only seen in movies, and took more photos than ever. Travel has a way of sharpening your eye, and that chapter still influences how I see and shoot today.
Back in Northeast Florida
After Korea, I moved home and spent several years in full-time advertising and creative roles—building photo and video work across hospitality, lifestyle, finance, automotive, nonprofits, and more. That stretch deepened how I think about campaigns, deadlines, and craft at a professional level.
Along the way, I met the love of my life, Shelby, spent part of the COVID years in Tampa, put down roots just south of San Marco in 2022, and we married in 2023.
Founded Glass Creative Co.
After years of agency work, I launched Glass Creative Co. to focus on what I'm most passionate about—food and restaurant photography. My goal is to help local restaurants, bars, and hospitality brands in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida tell their stories through compelling imagery that connects with their audiences and drives results.
Ready to see what your restaurant looks like at its best?
If you're putting your all into what you serve, your visuals should match. Let's talk about what a shoot looks like for your space.
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