Portrait of Master Cicerone Rich Higgins for Draft Magazine | SF Editorial

Love Beer? Well you might want to talk to Consultant à la Bière, Rich Higgins. He is the seventh person in the world to be certified as a master cicerone. He now works as a consultant for restaurants and events – advising on the best beverages (beer, wine, etc) to compliment meals. SF Editorial Portrait Photographer Marc Olivier Le Blanc

I took this image for Draft Magazine, a publication for the beer fan in your life. The magazine keeps you up to date on any new trends in the industry as well as highlighting great breweries. The article that I took photos for was a feature on Higgins. It’s a great read if you have the time!
I know who to call if I want recommendations for new beer. :) I’m happy to add this image to my portfolio.

There are 23 Master Cicerones in the world. Rich Higgins was the seventh — a credential that places him among the most knowledgeable beer professionals on the planet and makes him a compelling subject for a portrait assignment.

Who Is Rich Higgins?

Rich Higgins is a San Francisco-based beer consultant who works with restaurants and events, advising on pairings between beer, wine, and food. The Master Cicerone certification — the beer world's equivalent of a Master Sommelier — is among the most demanding professional qualifications in the beverage industry. As one of the earliest holders of that credential, Higgins helped establish what serious beer knowledge looks like.

Photographing Expertise: The Challenge of a Consultant Portrait

Shooting a consultant is a particular editorial challenge. Unlike a chef photographed in a kitchen or a metalworker at a forge, a beer consultant's expertise is largely invisible — it lives in the palate and the mind. The job of the portrait is to communicate that expertise through presence, setting, and the small details a thoughtful photographer notices: a particular glass, a label, a hand gesture mid-description.

Shooting for Draft Magazine

This image was shot for Draft Magazine, a publication dedicated to beer culture at its most serious. The article — a feature on Higgins demystifying beer and food pairings — gave me clear editorial context to work from. The final portrait appeared alongside a piece that has since become a reference for anyone interested in elevated beer culture.

Editorial Portrait Photography in San Francisco

San Francisco has one of the most interesting culinary and beverage communities in the country — a natural home for editorial work that takes food and drink culture seriously. I'm always interested in assignments that bring me into contact with people who are genuinely excellent at something.

SF Editorial Portrait Photographer Marc Olivier Le Blanc

Commissioning editorial portraits for a food, beverage, or lifestyle publication in the Bay Area? [Get in touch] to discuss.