Visit
Stills is a centre for photography based in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. With over 40 years of history, we’ve got a lot of experience to share. Our exhibitions, production facilities and range of creative, educational opportunities allow anyone to discover, enjoy and understand photography.
STILLS: CENTRE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
23 Cockburn Street
Edinburgh
Scotland EH1 1BP
GALLERY
Tuesday—Saturday, 11am—5pm
PRODUCTION FACILITIES
Tuesday, 11am—5pm
Wednesday, 11am—9pm
Thursday, 11am—9pm
Friday, 11am—5pm
Saturday, 11am—5pm
Planning a visit to Stills? View our visual guide here.
Explore more and hear insights about Stills through our digital guide on Bloomberg Connects. The free arts and culture app takes you behind the scenes with exclusive audio, highlights from our archive, and more. You’ll also find must-read content to help you get the most out of Stills.
History
Stills was established in 1977. Since that time it has become a champion for the important and powerful role that the medium of photography plays in the world today. We are currently working to make our archive accessible for research, here are a few items that we’ve uncovered so far.
1976
Creative Camera was a monthly fine art and documentary photography magazine published between 1964—2001. This edition featured work from the “Recent American Still Photography” exhibition at The Fruitmarket Gallery in 1976. The exhibition was organised by the Scottish Photography Group, which went on to become Stills. Robert Adams, Lewis Baltz, Harry Callahan and Garry Winogrand were only a handful of amazing photographers included in the show.
1977
This exhibition book is from Angus McBean “A Darker Side of the Moon”, the first exhibition held at Stills in 1977 at our original location on the High Street. Angus McBean was a prolific theatrical photographer associated with the Surrealist movement. “The camera’s love of her face is entirely serious and magical, and the unreality of the composition – she rises like a goddess out of the earth, her perfection emphasised by classical sculptures on columns that recede over the sands towards a painted sky – is not just a joke. It is also a quasi-religious recognition that she is not, after all, like you and me but inhabits another, dreamlike world created by the adoring eyes of cinema-goers.” Jonathon Jones, The Guardian, June 2006
1978
In 1978, Paul Strand’s “The Hebridean Photographs” was exhibited at Stills. This body of work, created in the 1960’s, documents Hebridean life, from people, to labour, to home-life, to landscape. We have a copy of this exhibition book in Stills’ eclectic, public-access, photographic library. “It may be unusual in an exhibition […] to include a small and seemingly alien group of images. We have assumed however that Strand’s earlier work may be unfamiliar to many people and that some brief introduction may be of value. Despite the changes of style and interest apparent in Strand’s work over the years, there is also an underlying consistency, an adherence to a creed established early in his career” Richard Hough, Stills Director 1978.
1982
In 1982, Stills exhibited work by Man Ray, a famous Dada and surrealist artist. These objects display some behind the scenes happenings of how galleries operate; deciding where certain works are to be hung, and sending out press releases are still common practice today.
1987
Did you visit our Jo Spence exhibition in 2016? This flyer from our archive shows that Stills already understood the importance of Spence’s work, way back in 1987. The “Women in Photography” event organised by Stills lists Jo Spence as a speaker alongside Val Williams, Grace Robertson and Maggie Murray. Sadly Spence had to pull out due to ill health, a final draft of the flyer reveals she was replaced by Dr. Roberta McGrath, an Edinburgh based photography scholar and lecturer.
1988
This cassette is a recording of Paul Graham giving an artist talk in 1988 when Stills exhibited Graham’s Troubled Land series. In this recording he talks about his images and working practice as well as some practical tips and advice about making a living as a photographer.
1994
“A Stuggy Pren” was an exhibition in 1994 which coincided with the release of a collaborative book between photographer Katrina Lithgow and poet Ivor Cutler. Featuring fascinating portraits of Cutler, taken by Lithgow, this exhibition elaborated on the dynamic collaborative relationship between both artists.
Our Team
DIRECTOR
Vivienne Gamble
vivienne.gamble@stills.org
PROGRAMME MANAGER
Cheryl Connell
cheryl.connell@stills.org
PROJECT COORDINATOR (CREATIVE LEARNING)
Louise McLachlan
louise.mclachlan@stills.org
FINANCE CONTROLLER
James McKenzie
finance@stills.org
VISITOR & MARKETING COORDINATOR
Alice Poole
alice.poole@stills.org
CREATIVE LEARNING MANAGER
Claire Cochrane
claire.cochrane@stills.org
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Caitlin Serey
caitlin.serey@stills.org
TECHNICIAN
Joseph Glover
joseph.glover@stills.org
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
info@stills.org
PRODUCTION FACILITIES ENQUIRIES
resource@stills.org
Board Members:
Jane Martin
Alicia Bruce
Paul Thomson
Residents
There are no current residency opportunities.
Policies
As a charitable organisation Stills is committed to and conforms to various policies.
View our Privacy Policy
View our Environmental Policy
View our Fair Work Policy
Green Arts Initiative
Here at Stills we believe in our responsibility to demonstrate best practice in the environmental sustainability of all our activities. In turn, we aim to inform and influence audiences, staff, stakeholders, suppliers and partners to adopt a responsible approach toward the impact of their operations on the environment.
We are proud to be part of Creative Carbon Scotland’s Green Arts Initiative! One of many projects: In 2019 Stills library transformed into an urban green space. Members of the public were invited to learn about native wildflowers in our exhibition and participatory workshops.
Read more about The GreenRoom here.
Vacancies
DUTY MANAGER: PHOTOGRAPHY PRODUCTION FACILITIES
Application deadline: Monday 19 October, 9am
Type of Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: Full time (35 hours per week)
Rate of pay: £30,000 per annum
Location: Stills, 23 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh EH1 1BP
Job purpose
Stills is a locally valued, internationally connected centre for excellence in photography in Edinburgh. Our vision is to be one of the world’s leading centres for photography.
Our core activities include:
- Photography exhibitions, events and partnership projects
- Photography darkrooms, production facilities and equipment
- Creative Learning programmes and courses
- Stills library collection
- Photography bookshop
- Stills Automat analogue photobooth
Our new team of Duty Managers will play a key role in the smooth day-to-day running of our core activities at Stills, helping us to achieve high levels of customer experience and foster a vibrant photography community.
The Duty Manager: Photography Production Facilities will manage public access to our photography production facilities and equipment. These facilities include photography darkrooms, a RA4 colour print processor, a digital suite with the latest Adobe software, professional printers and scanners. The Duty Manager will also support the running of our year round programme of courses covering subjects from beginner’s darkroom photography to mobile photography and masterclasses with internationally-renowned practitioners. Stills is also home to a popular analogue photobooth using darkroom chemistry and analogue printing – maintenance of the photobooth will also be the responsibility of Duty Managers with darkroom expertise. This role will work in collaboration with the Duty Manager: Gallery and Operations and the team of Visitor Assistants.
Job description (key tasks):
- Act as a friendly and professional front-of-house manager, welcoming users to Stills on-site production facilities and photography courses programme
- Responsibility for the smooth running and day-to-day management of the darkrooms, production facilities and specialist equipment
- Provide specialist technical support to users of the photography darkrooms, RA4 colour print processor, digital suite, printers and scanners.
- Deliver inductions and demonstrations of correct and safe usage of the production facilities to public users, course participants and freelance tutors
- Responsibility for the regular maintenance of Stills analogue photobooth
- Manage courses and facilities content on www.stills.org
- Manage the calendar of user bookings for production facilities
- Manage stock and supplies of photography production materials
- Prepare management reports on usage and revenue from the darkrooms and production facilities
- Contribute to the ongoing planning and future development of the production facilities, including exploration of alternative processes for climate friendly photography production
- Contribute content for marketing and promotional materials to widen participation in photography production at Stills
- Contribute practical specialist knowledge and support to the wider programme of photography exhibitions, events and partnership projects happening within Stills
- Support specialist technical requirements relating to the exhibitions and events programme as required including AV set up and gallery lighting
- Represent Stills within the wider network of artist production facilities across Scotland, the UK and internationally
- Ensure that all aspects of health and safety and statutory regulations associated with public safety are adhered to, supported by up-to-date risk assessments and documentation
- Monitor the premises, ensuring that the fabric and security of all public areas are maintained and any emergency requirements are dealt with according to health & safety policy and procedures
- Duty Manager roles includes keyholder responsibilities for the daily opening and closing of the premises
Person Specification
- A focus on friendly customer service and helping users to get the best possible experience from Stills production facilities and services
- Highly skilled specialist knowledge in photography production processes including:
- Black and white and colour darkrooms
- Digital photography
- Adobe software
- Printers and scanners
- Highly skilled in IT software and experience of managing a public access digital computer suite
- Specialist knowledge of health and safety in photography darkrooms and risk assessment procedures such as COSHH
- Commitment to maintaining continuous professional development in relation to photography production processes
- Specialist knowledge of health and safety processes and procedures for public spaces
- Hold First Aid certificate or be willing to attend training course
- Ability to work on own initiative and also collaboratively as part of a small, dedicated team
Hours of work
Duty Manager roles are shift-based and organised around Stills public opening hours, Tuesday to Saturday. Production Facilities roles include late weekday opening to 9pm and occasional Sundays. Stills is an Equal Opportunities Employer and open to discussing flexible shift patterns depending on candidate availability.
How to apply: Please send your CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the post in one PDF attachment to: recruitment@stills.org with the subject header: ‘Duty Manager: Photography Production Facilities’
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 19 October 2026
DUTY MANAGER: GALLERY AND OPERATIONS
Application deadline: Monday 19 October, 9am
Type of contract: Permanent
Hours of work: Part-time, 21 hours per week
Rate of pay: £30,000 per annum, pro-rata
Location: Stills, 23 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1BP
Job purpose
Stills is a locally valued, internationally connected centre for excellence in photography in Edinburgh. Our vision is to be one of the world’s leading centres for photography.
Our core activities include:
- Photography exhibitions, events and partnership projects
- Photography darkrooms, production facilities and equipment
- Creative Learning programmes and courses
- Stills library collection
- Photography bookshop
- Stills Automat analogue photobooth
Our new team of Duty Managers will play a key role in the smooth day-to-day running of our core activities at Stills, helping us to achieve high levels of customer experience and to foster a vibrant photography community.
The Duty Manager: Gallery and Operations will ensure the successful running of our exhibition space, shop and library by delivering the highest levels of visitor engagement and customer service. The role also has responsibility for managing customer experience for Stills Automat – our popular analogue photobooth. This role will work in collaboration with the Duty Manager: Photography Production Facilities.
Job description (key tasks):
- Act as a friendly and professional front-of-house manager, welcoming visitors to Stills and introducing them to the full range of our on-site photography activities
- Responsible for the smooth day-to-day management and maintenance of the gallery space, library collection, shop and analogue photobooth ensuring high standards of visitor experience are met and maintained
- Supervision and shift management of the team of Visitor Assistants and covering reception duties when needed
- Managing gallery operations to successfully deliver a regular programme of well-attended events including exhibition launches, film screenings, book launches, talks and special events for our upcoming 50th anniversary in 2027
- Responsible for the day-to-day management and conservation of Edinburgh’s largest photography library
- Select and purchase stock for the specialist shop including managing relationships with photography publishers and suppliers
- Weekly income forecasting and financial reporting of shop sales and photobooth usage
- Management of essential supplier services and contracts including cleaning, maintenance and security
- Ensuring that all aspects of health and safety and statutory regulations associated with public safety are adhered to, supported by up-to-date risk assessments and documentation
- Monitor the premises, ensuring that the fabric and security of all public areas are maintained and any emergency requirements are dealt with according to health & safety policy and procedures
- Duty Manager roles includes keyholder responsibilities for the daily opening and closing of the premises
Person Specification
- Experience of supervising staff within a venue with a customer focus or a visitor attraction and working with the public is essential
- Experience of developing best-in-class customer service standards is required
- Strong organisational and communication skills
- Passionate about photography and the activities we offer at Stills
- Experience in managing shop sales, stock and supplier relationships
- Specialist knowledge of health and safety processes and procedures for public spaces
- Hold First Aid certificate or be willing to attend training course
- Experience of working collaboratively with partners, contractors and other stakeholders
- Good understanding of operational procedures, access, security and reporting requirements
- Confident using standard digital and IT systems
- Strong problem-solving skills and a practical, solutions-focused approach
Hours of work
Duty Manager roles are shift-based and organised around public opening hours, Tuesday to Saturday. Sitting within the Gallery and Programme team, this role will include late opening to 9pm and weekend work depending on the schedule of public events. Stills is an Equal Opportunities Employer and open to discussing flexible shift patterns depending on candidate availability.
How to apply: Please send your CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the post in one PDF attachment to: recruitment@stills.org with the subject header: ‘Duty Manager: Gallery and Operations’
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 19 October 2026
For any queries relating to these positions please email cheryl.connell@stills.org
Image: Jillian Edelstein — Among People (installation detail), Stills 2026