Bring narratives to life with editorial photography.

A different type of photography.

“There are so many different kinds of editorial photography,” says Lopez. “For example, my editorial focus is people, but there are food photographers, fashion photographers, photojournalists — and all of that falls under the umbrella of editorial photography.” Plus, images in magazine articles and newspapers are often for editorial use only, meaning their usage rights are limited, and they can’t be repurposed for advertisements.

While certain kinds of photography are more prone to be editorial in nature, like fashion photography, almost any subject can be photographed in an editorial style. Editorial portraits can focus on an individual’s life or passions, while a fashion editorial could focus more specifically on an individual garment or fashion line. 

It all comes down to the story you tell and where your photo will live. If you create something for the New York Times, your editorial style will vary from what you’d make for Teen Vogue. Always keep your client, the product, the story, and the destination in mind when crafting an editorial photograph.

How to plan an editorial photoshoot.

For editorial imagery, a creative director, photo editor, or publisher will probably be the one to reach out to you about planning a photoshoot. But before you can bring out the camera and get to work, you need to prepare for the big day.

Research your subject.

You’ll want to get as much information as you can prior to the photoshoot so you can bring the right gear and plan the right kind of shoot. Be sure to ask plenty of questions, including: What’s the story about? Who is the person or subject? What’s the mood or tone of the story?

“I always ask myself: How has this person been photographed before? And in what way can I shine a new light on them? Because you always want to create new, different work. You don’t want your photo to look like someone else’s,” says Lopez. As you research your subject, you can start brainstorming ideas for the photoshoot.

Depending on the client and the story, you’ll probably have a conversation about what the client wants and needs from the shoot. “It happens a lot with me. I’ll go over the top before I go for the safe route because I’d rather the client tell me to bring it down than need to turn it up,” says photographer Stephen Hudson.

Create a moodboard.

With editorial photoshoots, a moodboard is essential. It keeps everyone involved aligned on the goal of the shoot and the ideal aesthetic. “Moodboards are the best way to translate your ideas and what you want. But you can’t always find the exact picture. I’ve seen some photographers that draw out the storyline, almost like a storyboard in film. And that helps a lot with knowing the color palette,” explains Hudson.