Tree of Jesse, Glasgow Cathedral

The Tree of Jesse window by contemporary stained glass artist Emma Butler-Cole Aiken is a magnificent stained glass window situated in Glasgow Cathedral. You can read more about the inspiration behind the window on Emma's website and you can find out about visiting Glasgow Cathedral here. She commissioned me to photograph the window in 2018.

Photograph of the Tree of Jesse Window, a contemporary stained glass window in Glasgow Cathedral, with three arched windows showing a tree trunk in the middle, and other trees to the side, with abstract branches and leaves overhead. A red ribbon of glass flows through the panels. Copyright Emma Butler-Cole Aiken and Melanie Ehsan.

Emma creates a wide variety of glasswork, including stained glass windows for churches, private homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings; glass sculptures; fused glass birds and other pieces; and restoration work. She also draws and paints, inspired by landscapes and nature. Emma does each part of crafting a window herself, from design to glass cutting, painting, leading and puttying. She often installs the windows herself, too.

I photographed the window once the scaffolding from installation was removed. The image of the full window is a composite of three separate images, stitched together carefully and transformed to maintain the correct proportions.

Close-up photograph of the Tree of Jesse stained glass window, showing the rings inside a cut tree trunk.
Close-up photograph of the Tree of Jesse stained glass window, showing blue tree trunks against a lighter blue background.

It was a fun challenge to try to capture the window looking its best. Photographing stained glass is a unique skill, and one with different approaches depending on what a client might want. For example, here I have isolated the glass itself and the stonework is in silhouette, almost entirely black; but it is also possible to photograph both stained glass and building interiors simultaneously.

As a photographer, I am always up for trying something new. If you have something that needs photographed, whether that's a small product your business makes, an entire building, or anything in between, get in touch for a quote.