The 10 Best Editorial Photographers in Memphis

Curious to see who made our list of the best Memphis editorial photographers? Editorial photography is the art of capturing visual narratives and sharing them via print. Oftentimes the photos will accompany the written word – but not always. Sometimes the images are the entire story, as we see in photo essays and other works.

Each one of the top Memphis editorial photographers here is a master storyteller. These may be tales about food, people, fashion, or something else entirely. But if you need help illustrating a narrative then there are few better places to begin looking than right here!

1. Andrea Morales

As a documentary and editorial photographer, Andrea Morales has been published in The New York Times, El Sentinel, and other publications. A Miami native, her studies included a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in Photography. Giving her the ability to find angles that convey the essence of a story, resulting in images that nicely accompany print.

The human element is always powerful in Andrea’s images. We always feel as if we’re being invited into the lives of her subjects. This speaks to her ability to inspire trust in her subjects through the authentic interest Andrea takes in them.

2. Karen Pulfer Focht

From The Associated Press to the BBC, publications looking for a top Memphis editorial photographer first reach out to Karen Pulfer Focht. Her documentary work takes her not just throughout Tennessee but also the American South. Karen has been recognized with several awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists’ Medallion for Distinguished Service. Check out her work on her website or Instagram.

Her images manage to not only capture the essence of the story. They also convey her artistic love of photography. Here is what one columnist had to say about her work: “Karen Pulfer Focht has the eye of a journalist and the soul of a poet. It’s not just her artistry at work here, it’s her empathy. She sees with her heart, and when we look at her photographs, so do we.”

3. Mike Brown

Mike Brown is a self-taught Memphis photojournalist whose love for emotive stories took him out of a successful career working as a team leader for multiple Fortune 500 companies. His portfolio covers a diverse range of subjects, including sports, editorial portraiture, and long-form documentary narratives.

Mike’s images have found their way to the front pages of USA Today, The Memphis Commercial Appeal, The Washington Post, and other major print outlets. Mike is even a multiple award-winning photographer! Check out his work on his Instagram or website.

4. Trey Clark

Trey Clark is a local editorial photographer whose storytelling images are a natural accompaniment to print narratives. His portfolio is quite diverse, taking us on journeys with small bakeries, schools, hotels, and more. We also get a look at heritage architectural works and other editorial stories that Trey helped illustrate using his camera.

His approach uses gently desaturated tones and even exposure, with balanced shadow and highlights. It’s a subtle look, keeping the emphasis on his subjects and narrative by deemphasizing distracting tones in the scene.

5. Patrick Lantrip

Patrick Lantrip is a sports-centric Memphis editorial photographer who works for The Daily Memphian local newspaper. His images regularly find their way into print thanks to his ability to convey the energy and pace of live-action sports.

Patrick’s eye for composition takes us right onto the field, where the fierce expressions and speed of the match are. His colors are natural, befitting an editorial sports photoshoot. And Patrick’s sense of timing is perfect, enabling him to freeze the action at key moments!

6. Justin and Ashley Veneman of Javen Photography

Justin and Ashley Veneman are the married creative duo behind Javen Photography! They met during a photojournalism conference. And the influences of that genre still show up in their wedding and family photography.

Javen Photography is out to tell a story, first and foremost. So they continually seek out the moments of authentic engagement and candid fine art that reveal themselves during the day. Justin and Ashley find just the right balance between artistic expression and natural, documentary images!

7. Uday Sripathi

Uday Sripathi has partnered with many editorial brands over the years on visual productions, including NBC News, CNN, and Discovery. Thanks to his 15 years of experience in the media and entertainment industries, Uday has a keen sense of mood, narrative, and composition.

His images always contain layers to them. His event and portrait images are great examples of this. Uday is always looking for expressions, lighting, and postures that best convey what the subjects or setting have to tell us.

8. Mary Kate Steele

Fine art-worthy wedding portraits demand to be printed, as Mary Kate Steele knows well! Her brand started out in 2011 when her love for capturing the stories of families and friends grew into a thriving photography business. While she lives both in Tennessee and Philadelphia, her artistry takes her all across the country!

Mary’s approach combines the best of modern wedding photography with the classic elements that we all love to see. As she shares: “I like to describe my style as romantically editorial, soft and timeless with a touch of adventure, while also commanding attention.”

9. Amie Vanderford

As a socially active and informed Memphis editorial photographer, Amie Vanderford’s images are people-centric. From the lives of single mothers in the area to editorial portraits filled with rich environmental details, she is always giving us a window into the lives of her subjects. We especially love how the scenery enables her to craft a powerful narrative, often with just a single image.

That said, Amie also finds time for food, beverage, and architecture editorial photography. All of which help businesses immerse potential customers in the experience they are selling before you ever set foot in the door.

10. Michael Allen

As a top commercial and Memphis editorial photographer, Michael Allen counts a diverse range of partners as customers of his; From Fortune 500 companies to local production agencies, his images help businesses reach audiences through print and social media. A few of his customers include household name brands like Coca-Cola, GQ, and FOX Business.

Michael’s work often blurs the boundaries between fashion, editorial, commercial, and other genres. As the images contain elements of each of these genres, helping people not only understand what’s on offer but also feel the story and narrative of each collaboration!

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