Swanson Studio’s cover photo
Swanson Studio

Swanson Studio

Photography

Portland, Oregon 1,300 followers

Swanson Studio is an award-winning commercial photo and video studio based in Portland, Oregon.

About us

We're a full-service commercial still and motion studio based in Portland, Oregon. The heart of our work is based on inspiration—that little tickle in the brain that makes you want to keep creating over and over again. The joy in our work comes from collaboration—the creation of something greater than what could be achieved alone, and the relationships built along the way. We choose to work and function as a team, not only because there is strength in numbers, but because it's a lot more fun. We celebrate the process of creation: layering ideas, resources, methods, and energy to produce something new and exciting. Our vision is the way that we approach imagery — the blend of experiences and personality that goes into how we view the world around us. IG: @swansonstudio

Website
www.swansonstudio.us
Industry
Photography
Company size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
Portland, Oregon
Type
Self-Owned
Founded
1992
Specialties
Photography, Photo Illustration, Videography, Production, Retouching, Post Production, and Commercial

Locations

Employees at Swanson Studio

Updates

  • In a time when AI and CG are reshaping how we create, practical capture has never felt more relevant or more complementary. At Swanson Studio, we believe the strongest creative happens when you don’t choose between real and rendered, but instead find the balance that best serves the idea. One of our strengths is producing imagery so clean, so precisely lit and composed, that it looks computer-generated… but it’s not. Case in point: our latest work for Nike’s Vomero Premium. Every frame was captured fully in-camera. Real product. Real rigging. Real lighting. No CG. No AI. Just thoughtful production and technical precision, designed to make the shoe speak for itself. That said, we’re equally energized by the possibilities that AI and CG unlock. Some of our most successful campaigns have used digital augmentation to push concepts further—from subtle post enhancements to entirely synthetic builds. The point isn’t that one method is better. It’s that each offers something different, and the real craft lies in knowing which tool, or combination of tools, best supports the creative intent. We’ve seen this evolution before. Think of the shift from Lucasfilm’s all-digital Star Wars prequels to the more grounded feel of The Force Awakens, which reintroduced practical sets and effects into a CG-heavy world. The result didn’t feel less modern. It just felt more considered. That’s the space we love to occupy: where thoughtful capture meets evolving technology. Where big ideas come first, and the execution—whether through lighting, rendering, rigging or code—follows with purpose. AI and CG aren’t best used as shortcuts. They’re most fruitful as ingredients. And like any good recipe, it’s all about the mix. We’re staying curious. Testing new methods. Honing the old ones. And helping our clients navigate it all, so the work doesn’t just look good—it feels right. If you're exploring the space between what’s real, what’s possible, and what’s next, we’d love to connect. hello@swansonstudio.us

  • Please join us in welcoming Casey Poore to Swanson Studio as our Director of Creative Services. This is a brand-new role at the studio, and one that marks an exciting step in our evolution. As we continue to grow, we’re doubling down on what defines us: meaningful collaboration and a love for making great art. At the same time, we’re expanding how we support our clients, offering more flexibility in how we work together and embracing inventive ways of shaping the production experience around their needs. Casey joins us as a trusted collaborator who shares these values. With over a decade of experience facilitating high-end production, he brings both vision and a genuine care for process. Before landing in Portland, he spent 12 years at Pier59 Studios in NYC, where he served as Director of Sales and Creative, helping to shape one of the industry’s leading production hubs. There, he supported campaigns for brands like Apple, Chanel, the NFL, Netflix, Zara, and Nordstrom. His background spans editorial, commercial, and experiential work: from producing large-scale events like NYFW to leading high-performing teams. Throughout, he’s built lasting relationships rooted in trust and creative problem-solving. At Swanson, Casey is stepping into something completely new; not just for us, but for how we think about production. In this role, he’ll act as a creative concierge, working closely with our artists, producers, and clients to navigate complex challenges, introduce fresh perspectives, and tailor how we collaborate. Whether it’s reimagining workflows, implementing new tools, or simply approaching familiar problems in new ways, his focus is on bringing care, intentionality, and innovation to every step of the process. It’s a bespoke approach to production, designed to meet each client where they are, and deliver an elevated experience from start to finish. “Bringing Casey on board reflects our continued evolution into a more agile, client-obsessed studio,” says Marcus Swanson, Founder of Swanson Studio. “We’re staying true to our roots, providing expertly crafted stills and motion content at the highest levels of quality, while leaning into new ideas, tools, and ways of working. Casey brings the kind of leadership and intentionality that helps elevate not just the art, but the experience of making it.” “It’s an honor to help usher in Marcus’ vision for the next chapter of Swanson Studio,” Casey adds. “I’m excited to collaborate with this talented team; from Producer Wendy Bryant-Giles to photographer Tyler Ashlock. My role is about anticipating needs, solving creatively, and making the process feel as artful as the result.” This isn’t a change to our team. It’s an intentional expansion designed to elevate the way we care for yours. A way to honor where we’ve been while stepping into what’s next with greater clarity. Curious to work together? We'd love to connect. Reach out to Casey and the Swanson Studio team at: hello@swansonstudio.us

    • Portrait of Casey Poore, Director of Creative Services
  • View organization page for Swanson Studio

    1,300 followers

    We’re looking for a Managing Director to join our studio in Portland, Oregon! The Managing Director will play a pivotal role as a champion and unifying force for our team. By focusing on business management and operations, innovation and transformation, the Managing Director will ensure a balance between people, culture, and financial performance. Excited to make an impact? We’d love to connect! https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/g4PHzNsX

  • A very inspiring story from our founder Marcus Swanson about his journey through cancer, running Hood to Coast 2024 with Swanson Studio, family, and friends, and the "Why" behind our relay team's slogan: "Ask My Why I'm Blue". Check it out ⬇️ 💙

    View profile for Marcus Swanson

    Founder at Swanson Studio

    "Ask Me Why I’m Blue" 💙 I learned about that phrase from my neighbor who wore a blue wristband. I knew he had gone through cancer treatment years ago. That came crashing into relevance for me 2 years ago. Many types of cancer have a representative awareness color—breast cancer is pink, lung cancer is white, and blue is the color that symbolizes Colorectal cancer. In the early summer of 2022, I learned that my color was blue. I’m grateful for the outstanding treatment I received at Providence Cancer Institute, but the initial phase of 30 trips to the radiation clinic took a toll. I found solace in the trails of Forest Park. They’re the same trails I’ve loved running for years. Now being unable to run, I began to hike them instead, often with friends and family who became my biggest support system. The conversations we shared kept me grounded, and humor—especially my newfound appreciation for butt jokes—kept my spirits up. I began collecting butt jokes. I put a Seinfeld AssMan license plate on my desk. I got my surgeon to admit that in the OR, colorectal surgeons really do say “fire in the hole” before they go in. Seriously, there’s no “end” to the joke possibilities! Despite not being able to run, and only a week into phase 2 of chemotherapy treatment, I entered Swanson Studio into the Hood to Coast 2023 lottery. Looking back, it was absurd to dream up something that felt so out of reach, but I knew I needed something absurd enough to try to counter an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. I found myself searching for “providence”, going to Providence Cancer Institute every day, and I was moved by the connection to Providence sponsoring Hood to Coast. As I should have expected, after 7 months of chemotherapy, my body needed time to recover, making Hood to Coast 2023 impossible. Fortunately, after hearing my story, the generous people at Hood to Coast gave us another chance for 2024. This year, as our team Swanson Runs headed out to the starting line, I marveled at the symmetry of the date. The day was August 23rd, and on that day two years earlier, I had been on my way to my 23rd radiation treatment. Instead, on this two year anniversary, I was running Hood to Coast, cheered on by the same people who supported me through treatment. Along the course, at an exchange near Seaside, a woman read the sign on our van and asked me, “Why are you blue?” I showed her my blue wristband and told her I was 578 days post-chemo. I’m so grateful my cancer was caught when it was, and grateful for the community that has supported me through the lows and highs. Early detection saves lives. Get screened starting at 45. #AskMeWhyImBlue #ColorectalCancerSurvivor #HoodToCoast #CancerAwareness Providence Hood To Coast Race Series

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