TdB № 51: Wine Photographer Richard Duval

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Tête de Bulle | № 51 | In Conversation with Richard Duval – Richard Duval Images

by Lyn M. Archer

“Wine tantalizes me in ways that I can’t fully explain. A dawn visit to a harvest vineyard sparks a surge of energy as I survey all the elements of a great visual story…” -Richard Duval, Richard Duval Images

I’m honored to showcase award-winning wine photographer Richard Duval.

We first connected years ago at the outset of our respective wine industry careers, and more recently through the UW Photography Certificate program.

I caught up with him after he placed third in the “Places” category of the 2026 Louis Jadot Wine Photographer of the Year* competition.

(Author’s Note: I was a finalist for the same category in 2020.)

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(This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

LMA: Your image “Sunrise on Cab Franc, Seven Hills Vineyard – Walla Walla AVA” placed third in the “Places” category of the 2026 World Food Photography Awards Louis Jadot Wine Photographer of the Year competition.

What’s the backstory behind your award-winning image?

Richard Duval: That image is a good example of how one shoot leads to another.

I spent a good part of that morning capturing the first harvest pick of 2025 at Seven Hills Vineyard, another beautiful vineyard in the Oregon side of Walla Walla Valley.

A 6:00 am start on a hot and dusty morning; when the crew was done picking that particular block, I headed back to my car with thoughts of my next destination. The morning sun, still soft in the sky, cast a gentle kiss of light on that cluster of cab franc hanging in the vineyard row next to me.

I moved closer, framed the sun behind the cluster, bracketed a stop on either side and captured about a half-dozen images before the sun rose higher, and the light shifted.

I knew it had the potential to be an excellent shot – when I saw it in Lightroom, I got truly excited about its potential. Another personal favorite destined for my book!

LMA: How did you find out you’d won, and what was your reaction?

Richard Duval: I don’t typically enter many photo competitions, but I was impressed with the quality of the entrants to this particular international competition – some of the best wine and food photos I’ve seen.

So I thought this might be a good way to see how my work compares to this level. Six of my 20 entries were shortlisted, which was quite a thrill and a strong affirmation that the best of my work was on par with some of the world’s best wine photographers.

Have to admit it was quite the sweet feeling! Contest management was first rate – short list winners were notified right on schedule via email, and contest winners were announced on the site and via email…. READ MORE HERE.