The 9 Best Editorial Photographers in Columbus

Need the expertise of the top Columbus editorial photographers for your next project? Editorial photography is all about how photos contribute to the story that is being told in words, as in a publication. Or it can also be a story that is expressed purely through the visual medium.

Either way, there is always something being said about the subjects that makes it so engaging. And as you will come to see, the work of the top Columbus editorial photographers covers quite a lot of ground. You’ll get to see traditional photojournalism for newspaper publications alongside fashion-inspired captures for magazines. We’ve even found family, children’s, and wedding photography captured through an editorial lens. So take some time to sit back and enjoy the delightful offerings that we at Peerspace have curated for you today!

1. Jennifer Schaaf

Normally when working with families, there is an overwhelming focus on posed moments of perfection. But Jennifer Schaff’s blend of editorial and lifestyle images buck this trend. In fact, she instead showcases the connections you share in a playful and authentic manner.

Some of our favorite shots in her portfolio include lovely outdoor environmental portraits. Here, she uses the background and close-ups to weave narratives about your daily life.

2. Olivia James

Olivia James has a lengthy photography history. First, she was a hobbyist photographer before formally studying the art form at Columbus College of Art & Design, graduating in 2014. Now, as a professional commercial, portrait, and Columbus editorial photographer, Olivia uses her talents to tell stories about her clients from a fashion and lifestyle-oriented perspective!

A few of the publications that have featured her work include 614 Magazine and Dark Beauty Magazine. And with her emphasis on studio production, you know she captures her subjects using ideal lighting and compositions.

3. Nikkia Riles

Few Columbus editorial photographers display the mastery of lighting that Nikkia Riles does. She works with it in a dynamic manner, showing the beauty of her subjects and telling their stories in unique ways.

Sometimes a silhouette can say as much about a subject as a well-illuminated shot can. This is because Nikkia’s work is as much about exploring artistry and creativity as it is about specifically defined goals. We also get to see conceptual, ethnic, fashion, and fantasy-inspired takes in her collection of work!

4. Dysheen Davis

Originally from Queens, NYC, Dysheen Davis is a photographer who has a distinct preference for candid and authentic presentations. Even in planned editorial, lifestyle, and classic portrait contexts, Dysheen manages to capture what is true about them.

And impressively, he also does so while keeping his models feeling calm and at ease enough to express how they are, free of artifice! It is especially brilliant when combined with his love for vibrant hues and high-contrast lighting environments.

5. Leonardo Carrizo

Leonardo Carrizo has spent years honing his professional editorial photojournalism talents alongside partners like National Geographic Student Expeditions and the Tropical Disease Institute. He also instructs up-and-coming photographers by teaching at Ohio State University.

Leonardo’s work puts faces to editorial narratives, helping us better understand the work and people behind the organizations and nonprofits he works with. It’s no wonder he’s among the most talented editorial photographers in Columbus.

6. Andy Spear

Photographer, traveler, outdoorsman—none of these quite captures what it is to be Andy Spears! Over the years, he has amassed an impressive body of editorial portraits for publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Andy’s environmental editorials give us clues to the lives of his subjects, inviting us into their homes and piquing our interest via their frank gaze.

However, we also love how talented he is with lighting and its effects on how we relate to a subject. Andy’s creative vision might express itself through directional natural light filtered through a colored window for effect, high-key portraits taken in bright sunlight, or something else entirely!

7. Open Image Studio

Monty of Open Image Studio has a collection of work that covers quite a few genres, including family, wedding, and commercial photography. However, it is his fashion and lifestyle artistry that makes him one of the top Columbus editorial photographers!

Monty is a master of setting. In fact, he uses urban outdoor and chic indoor environments to highlight deeper subject narratives. We still gain an appreciation for their apparel choices and personal beauty. And yet, the way he manages to convey an entire story in a single frame. This is what makes his work especially captivating!

8. Nick Fancher

Nick Fancher describes himself as “a photographer, author, and educator who specializes in dramatic lighting, often employing the use of bold colors and experimental camera techniques.” Words we entirely agree with when browsing his portfolio!

His images regularly find their way to the cover of major publications like Rangefinder and Revolver Magazine. His love for deep shadow, bold colors, and inspiration from music and fashion art come to the foreground. Small wonder Nick is a favorite partner of major brands like Adobe, Apple Music, and The Atlantic!

9. Simon Yao

Simon Yao’s mixture of wedding, family, commercial and editorial photography is second to none in the Columbus market! Some of his best work includes documenting the lives of people as they transition between major life milestones.

Simon also provides polished corporate portraits for executive clients, fashion-inspired maternity photography, editorial branding images for local entrepreneurs, and much more. And true to his editorial leanings, Simon avoids overtly overdone color grading and processing. Instead, he showcases his subjects in a more documentary, true-to-life style that allows us to better understand them as people rather than solely artistic captures.

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