The 12 Best Editorial Photographers in Vancouver
- Date: March 24, 2022
- Topic: Photography
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
Source: Instagram / @sarakempner
Searching for the top Vancouver editorial photographers to collaborate with on a future project? That’s exactly what we at Peerspace have for you ahead. The field of editorial photography is unique since it represents myriad genres. Whether it is the consumption patterns of people in the area, the landscape of the region, or even the fabric of society, this is one field that lends itself to an ever-changing, ever-morphing visual definition. In the most basic sense, editorial photography refers to photos meant to accompany text in a publication.
The city of Vancouver is unique, with its vibrant urban social and political life, the gorgeous British Columbia landscapes, and its diverse group of citizens who call it home. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the city is home to a thriving photography scene. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best Vancouver editorial photographers! Their work has made its mark on some of the best national and global publications.
1. Sara Kempner
A photographer with a love for the great outdoors, Sara Kempner has been featured by Canadian Geographic and the Comox Valley Collective magazines. Her work is an exploration of outdoor life, trekking, mountaineering, and the joy of the great Canadian wilderness.
Characterized by rich colors, textures, and compositions, this traveling editorial photographer searched for the next great landscape. She also isn’t afraid to get dirty for a killer shot, excited at the prospect of something new in the wild. And we should get excited too — in anticipation of the terrific views Kempner brings us!
2. Kyrani Kanavaros
Kyrani Kanavaros’s portraits are arresting, to say the least. With a gorgeous sense of composition, simplicity, and directness, Kanavaros’s style has made her a favorite among many magazines and publishers.
Featured by Canadian House and Home, People Magazine, The Vancouver Sun, and TV Week, she takes fashion portraits that exude style and substance. She makes her subjects look incredibly fun and fierce by using muted colors and interesting backdrops (including an orange shower curtain). Kanavaros’s top-notch portraiture is always magazine-worthy, making her one of our top Vancouver editorial photographers!
3. Ben Nelms
Ben Nelms is one of the most acclaimed photographers on this list. He has consistently stunned the world with his powerful photographs of people, events, and scenes. Featured on publications by CBC as well as Reuters, his work takes the point of view of a documentary photographer. He sees and captures scenes as they unfold, in Vancouver and around the world.
From Women’s March and Fraser Valley flooding to the Covid outbreak — no matter the news, Nelms always produces captivating images. With his terrific skills and undeniable talent, we can’t help but be curious of the stories his pictures relay.
4. Paul Yates
When it comes to the coverage of a wide range of sports events, no one does it better than Paul Yates of Vancouver Sports Pictures. He’s well known for covering the BC Lions, other teams, events, and even training, so Yates manages to capture a large part of the Canadian sporting culture through his lens.
His electrifying mid-game shots and energetic team portraits make his work stand out in his niche. Given the sheer charm exuded by each Yates shot, It’s no wonder that his pictures get frequently picked for sports publications and events, especially SFU, BC High School, and the CFL BC Lions.
5. Tallulah
The versatility of Tallulah’s work takes us from gorgeous portraits to documentary-style shots from across the world. This Vancouver-based photojournalist points her lens where nobody thinks to pay attention, and manages to bring out the beauty she sees.
A range of magazines like Elle, The Economist, South China Morning Post, Western Living, and Readers’ Digest have sought out her snaps. In fact, her people-centric work is something to watch out for. She has even held solo exhibitions for her project, “The World People Project,” a series of quirky portraits capturing the hidden sides of people she meets worldwide. This very human element in her storytelling is what makes her one of the best Vancouver editorial photographers.
6. Albert Law
Albert Law very aptly titles his Instagram page “Cinematic everyday moments”. His photographs all have a subtly dramatic quality that wouldn’t be out of place in any film or story. Law considers his photography to be the means of connecting with the human experience.
His photographs are ideal for both the artistic and the business side of things. Their simple, cinematic portrayal transforms everyday professionals into magazine ideals. Fashion, events, lifestyle, street — no matter the niche, expect captivating storytelling when Law is behind the lens.
7. Dano Pendygrasse
When looking at Dano Pendygrasse’s Instagram profile, we’re met with a series of minimalist beautiful snowy landscapes. In fact, most of these shows a skier or a snowboarder zooming across the slopes. Pendygrasse’s career began as a skier and snowboarder and he’s photographed these sports for over 20 years, so his soul is clearly visible in his breathtaking images. His work has also been featured in Snowboarder Magazine and several other publications. Pendygrasse often ventures into street and documentary-style photojournalism, adding further depth to his portfolio.
Capturing the soul of Canadian snowboarding for countless publications, this Vancouver editorial photographer has truly mastered the niche!
8. Robin O’Neill
In Robin O’Neill, we’ve found another admirer of the snowy slopes. He boasts a series of stunning outdoor ski, snowboard, and sports photographs right at the top of her Instagram page.
Having been featured in major publications like National Geographic, The Ski Journal, and Forecast Magazine, O’Neill’s action-packed scenes are a visual treat. Whether it is the snowy peaks, skateboard close-ups, nearby small towns, or the thrill of mountain biking, O’Reilly beautifully captures them all!
9. Alia Youssef
Alia Youssef is a woman on a mission. From trailblazers to changemakers to rulebreakers, Youssef takes portraits of people who have stories to tell and a mark to leave.
She features everyone from a single individual’s search for a voice to an activist trying to make a difference (especially in the BIPOC segment). Youssef’s strong portraits tell us who’s in the news, and why, while also shining a light on their side of the story. Unsurprisingly, her extensive client list includes Oprah Magazine, Quill and Quire, The Globe and Mail, and Elle Canada. She is absolutely a Vancouver editorial photographer to watch out for.
10. Jimmy Jeong
Simply put, Jimmy Jeong’s work is equal parts captivating and cinematic. Protests, events, landscapes, people, places — Jeong captures all of them with equal elan. We see proud professionals like firemen, doctors, nurses, and artists in the flow of their own. We also see celebrities and familiar faces making their way to various magazines and publications, such as the very recognizable KJ Apa from the hit series, Riverdale.
What is most interesting is the sense of action and drama he creates, especially in the non-portrait-like images. He’s also a founder of the Rogue Collective and a regular contributor to the Globe and the Mail. Jimmy Jeong potentially shapes our understanding of all the individuals and stories Canadians read, based on the impact of his pictures alone!
11. Nadia Hung
A fine art and wedding photographer, Nadia Hung’s aesthetic is a joy to see, especially for those who are planning their special day. Her Pinterest-worthy pictures make the dream wedding a source of inspiration since she delicately captures details and the bride’s vision!
Having been featured in Martha Stewart magazine, Bride Vancouver, and Harper’s Bazaar, Hung’s visual skills immortalize dream weddings. Her editorial pictures in Vancouver’s publications are definitely not to be missed!
12. Rick Collins
Rick Collins is probably one of the most active photojournalists we’ve come across. His portraits put a human face to what we simply consider news — a wildfire here, a sports match there, a tribe gathering, and so on. He captures the people who bury themselves in the thick of the action. Not only that, but he gives them the recognition they deserve.
What we love especially is his depiction of people, be it through stunning individual portraits or community shots. Crowned the Canadian News Photographer of the Year twice by, Collins takes photographs that always make the impact he intended. With his arresting visuals and artistry, readers get more than just news. In fact, they discover the people and the stories living on these pages!
Defining the British Columbia’s Media Visual Landscape
An editorial photographer is more than just someone who manages to get their pictures in a publication. They often shape the visual perception the public has of people, places, events, establishments, news, and even ideas. It’s true that while words make an impact, images make lasting impressions.
Ensuring the city and people of Vancouver have informed perspectives of the world around them is a responsibility these editorial photographers willingly shoulder. And they have our respect for the terrific work they do! Follow them and work with them, whether it is to stay updated, or to communicate effectively with your own audiences.
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