Three Mattinson images Shortlisted in the World Food Photography Awards 2026
Three of Campbell Mattinson’s images have been shortlisted in the World Food Photography Awards 2026 – the world’s premier food/wine/drinks photography competition. Campbell Mattinson received this news while shopping for peanut butter at his local supermarket and, immediately, fell to the floor right there and then – which turned out to be fortuitous in itself, because he saw on the bottom shelf a butter that he’d never before bought/tried, (Fix & Fogg Everything Butter), and which he has subsequently come to enjoy (too) frequently.
Mattinson’s three shortlisted images are variations on the images included on this page. The above image – of model Shin Yie Mon – has been shortlisted in the Food Influencer section. The image itself was accidental: the idea was to create a vibrant, poppy, 70s-ish theme image on a bright summer’s day, featuring a pastel-coloured ice-cream. The original idea was well executed but the above image jumped out for its difference. The image is titled It’s Cold At First but it’s also possible that Shin Yie’s facial expression is a reaction to the fact that she’d accidentally stuck her nose into the ice-cream. Haven’t we all. Mattinson said, “I sometimes wish I could stick my whole head into an ice-cream.”
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Mattinson’s second shortlisted entry was also in the Food Influencer section for his simple shot of a cup of coffee sitting in the early morning sun (below). This image won’t win but it’s nice anyway. Mattinson, a wine critic, is better known for being under the influence than for being a Food Influencer, but “what the hell” (Mattinson said).
Mattinson’s final shortlisted entry is a colour version of his image of Georgian winemaker Iago Bitarishvili (black & white version below). This image was created for the article here, and has been shortlisted in the Louis Jadot Wine Photographer of the Year – People section. Mattinson titled this image Natural Born Pillar, in reference to Iago’s (high) standing in the Georgian wine community.
“I’d like to crack a half-funny here but the truth is, I’ve been dedicated to photography for a large number of years and a bit of recognition is not just humbling, it’s touching. Plus, I love the image of Iago. I mean, I loved him, and I loved his wines, and I love the shot itself. So I’m super happy that this image in particular made it through.”
The complete gallery of shortlisted entries in the World Food Photography Awards 2026 is available to view here.
I’ve had people enquire about the Iago image. If you want to purchase a print, see here.
Campbell Mattinson is available as a photographer for hire. Go to the Contact page or see more work at Mattinson Photography.
