Scott Leggo: Specialising in the breadth of Australia’s beauty

Scott Leggo is one of Australia’s leading landscape photographers and the proud owner of Scott Leggo Gallery. He is known for capturing the diversity of Australia’s natural landscape in spectacular light and proudly makes his range of wall art, acrylic blocks, prints and jigsaw puzzles in Australia – offering customers the chance to experience that natural beauty in their own space.

Scott’s journey into the creative world of photography was certainly an unconventional one. His professional background includes a decade of serving as an Air Force Officer, a career as an Australian diplomat and as a management consultant with some of the world’s top management consulting firms. Throughout his diverse background, he always had a sense of adventure.

“I had a crazy work-life balance, and I saw photography as a way that I could travel on my terms rather than travel only for work,” said Scott. “I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and adventure, and originally, photography was just an excuse to spend more time in nature. But as time went on, I was encouraged to sell my photos, and what was originally just a side hustle grew into what it has become now.”

“I love that I get to travel all over Australia and experience the diversity of beauty this country has to offer - from snow-covered Alpine peaks to outback deserts, tropical rainforests and everything in between. I also love the chance to share that beauty with other people. Often, people don’t realise just how diverse the Australian landscape can be, and I like to challenge the stereotypical image. Our products give an opportunity for people to see and experience the breadth of Australia.”

One of the distinct features of Scott Leggo’s photography products is the focus on lighting and composition. His dedicated work ethic and passion for the outdoors mean that he will often camp out in remote locations for multiple days in order to get a shot. “I want to capture these beautiful natural scenes in the best light possible, which means the photos are mostly taken at sunrise or sunset,” said Scott. “Sometimes, this means I have to go to the same location multiple times. Occasionally, it means I have to camp out at that spot just so that I can be there to capture a scene in the great light it deserves.”

Whether it’s camping out in the snow for multiple nights, flying in helicopters at sunrise, or meticulously researching what weather conditions make a snow gum’s bark the most vibrantly coloured, Scott’s determination to accurately capture a landscape is clear to see. But that’s only one part of the process.

“We are in the business of sharing Australia’s beauty with people,” said Scott. “And we are, at our core, an Australian business. So, it just makes sense to make and print our products here in Australia. We know it is the best way to ensure our final products are of high quality and accurately portray the feeling of the original landscape photograph.”

Scott Leggo Gallery products are made with premium quality materials and are designed to last a lifetime or even be handed down over generations. The Framed Prints and Unframed Prints are made in Sydney using fine art inks, archival paper and museum-grade acrylic that blocks UV. The Acrylic Blocks are made in Brisbane, using metallic photographic paper and diamond-polished plexiglass blocks. Scott’s Jigsaw Puzzles are manufactured in Queensland, made with sustainable materials and food-safe dyes to ensure they are safe for younger children.

“We’re quite lucky to have such quality manufacturers here in Australia to partner with to create our products,” said Scott. “Being an Australian Made business means that we have a high standard of quality that we need our products reach.”

“Making our products in Australia gives a sense of confidence we wouldn’t have if we manufactured overseas. We’re not restricted by international supply chain issues, long timelines, or questions of quality. We can see how the products are made, maintain relationships with our partners, and make products to order.”

The new Scott Leggo Gallery was opened in June 2023 in Canberra, just down the road from its previous location of 5 years, and is often patronised by people visiting the country’s capital who are looking for quality souvenirs. The gallery not only offers a chance for customers to view Scott’s photos and the product range in person but also helps customers decide what type of artwork to purchase. The team at the gallery advise on what is most suitable, whether it’s a print for a wall, an acrylic block for their desk, or a puzzle for a corporate gift.

Although the gallery is based in Canberra, the Scott Leggo Gallery business has a broad reach across Australia. Scott’s iconic photographs are showcased in homes, workplaces, hotels and other buildings all over the country.

“We’ve seen that there is a desire to support Australian Made and to support Australian jobs. That’s what consumers want, and we’re so proud to make that a part of our business. We are an Australian business on every level – from the landscapes captured to the printing and making of the finished products.”