Turning the everyday into something unexpected, photographer and director Sam Nicklin brings a playful eye to still life. Originally from Nottingham and now based in London, Sam’s creative background spans football, fashion and music, while a fascination with art, design and collecting continues to shape his approach to photography.

Drawing on vintage magazine advertising and graphic design from the ’80s through to the ’00s, his work brings together bold colour, considered composition and a healthy sense of humour. For his latest project with Salomon, Sam puts the XT-6 GORE-TEX, XT-QUEST and XT-4 GORE-TEX centre stage in his own ‘Mountains of Life ’- an offbeat exploration of the objects, routines and unexpected details that make up the everyday.

Your work elevates everyday objects into something unexpected. What first drew you to still life photography?

“I’ve always had an interest in art and design. Before I started photography, I was a graphic designer, and I’ve collected things my whole life. So, in a way, shooting still life felt like a no-brainer, it just hadn’t clicked with me until a few years ago. Also, in all honesty, I love showing everyday objects in a way you wouldn’t necessarily expect, almost like giving them centre stage when, most of the time, they might otherwise be overlooked.”

Where do you find inspiration? Is it a phrase, an object, a colour palette, or something else entirely?

“Most of the time, it’ll either be a specific object or a colour scheme. I love experimenting with colour and showcasing objects that were designed using interesting colour palettes. My overall inspiration is heavily linked to old magazine adverts and graphic design from the ’80s to the ’00s. Bold colours and distinct shapes were really big back then, and I’m a little obsessed with it all.”

As both a collector and a photographer, how much does collecting feed into your creative process?

“I’d say it’s great having a collection to always dip into when I need something, although the amount of stuff in my flat is getting a tad out of hand. That being said, it’s quite nice knowing that when I have an idea, I probably have something that’ll work for it. And if I don’t, I actually enjoy sourcing new things. The amount of time I spend on eBay is criminal.”

Your work feels incredibly precise, but there’s also a sense of humour and playfulness running through it. How do you balance those two elements when creating an image?

“I’m quite particular about how I want my imagery to look. I do experiment on set, but when I start shooting, I already have a strong idea in my head of what I want the finished image to look like. The humour elements come in to break up that more precise mould, where a small change can go a long way. Making some of the objects look more used or worn than others always helps. I also tend to source mostly second-hand and vintage pieces, which naturally have their own quirks and character.”

The ‘Mountains of Life’ concept takes Salomon out of its natural environment and into everyday routines. What excited you most about telling that story through still life?

“Initially, when I had the idea for hills and mountains made out of floating everyday objects, I had to spend a bit of time convincing myself it was actually doable. I love the thought that throughout a day, you use so many different things to achieve what you need, but ultimately, your shoes are what get you from A to B. Combining all of those things into these ‘mountains’ was a challenge, but one that I loved tackling head-on.”

The XT-6, XT-QUEST and XT-4 each have their own personality. Was there one silhouette that immediately sparked an idea?

“The XT-6 instantly felt like “office core” to me. It’s probably the least office-appropriate work shoe, but I’ve met so many people who wear all-weather shoes to their normal jobs. It’s like they’re preparing for Everest while writing emails. I’ll hold my hands up and say that when I worked a 9-5, I did exactly the same. It just works.”

Were there any props in this shoot that became unexpected heroes or completely changed the direction of the shot?

“We had coffees on set, and someone ordered a matcha, which made a great addition to one of the setups (I did drop the first one but we don’t need to talk about that). It was also great getting the size? exclusive Kit-Cat Clock in there. I bought that years ago and think it’s a great little Easter egg.”

What does ‘Shaping New Futures’ mean to you as a creative?

“I think creatives push each other forward, into new directions and onto new things. We all drive this industry and, in turn, drive each other. There are so many of us making incredible things and carving out new paths for others to follow. It’s like we’re constantly building new foundations for the next generation of creatives, which is something I think we should all be proud of.”

Finally, if your own ‘Mountain of Life’ was photographed tomorrow, what objects would be on it and why?

“It’s super cliché to say it would have a camera in it, but it probably would. Coffee, maybe a doughnut because I’m obsessed with them, probably three different types of headphones, and I wear a lot of rings, so they’d be in there too. Lastly, my notebook. That’s pretty much my life in there!”

Explore the Salomon collection at size? now.