The 12 Best Editorial Photographers in Houston

Editorial photography tells a story. Traditionally used in newspapers and magazines to support the story of the text it has evolved into an artform in itself. Editorial images are the visual representation of concepts and the art of making them encompass many genres of photography from fashion, to portrait, to lifestyle. Each of the following Houston editorial photographers have their own creative takes but they share a passion for storytelling and a commitment to imagining new ways to push the art forward.

1. Stevie D.

Simply one of the best fashion editorial photographers in all of Texas, Stevie D. has been widely published in magazines including Elléments, 7Hues, and Surreal, just to name a few. He has a haute-couture polish to his work—professionally styled and expertly posed, his shots are the epitome of high fashion.

A lighting expert and long-time lover of the medium of photography, Stevie boasts the depth of skill to earn him the respect of big-name clients and models alike. He is also the owner of Vision Light Studios in Houston, a rental space for the photography community to let their creativity run wild.

2. Andrew Strother

Widely published Houston editorial photographer Andrew Strother has distinguished himself with his ability to tell a compelling story in one shot. He has shot magazine covers—highlighting this ability—and he often works as a sports photographer covering the major sports teams in the area. His use of bright, eye-catching colors command the attention of the viewer and allow his subjects to truly shine.

3. Laurie Perez

The best editorial photography is alchemy—taking the basics of light, posing, and a story and turning it into gold—Laurie Perez is one of the best. She is a master of her craft, melding the fundamental elements of a photo and transforming them into pieces which are more than the sum of their parts.

Known as a “lighting queen,” she uses a combination of strobes and natural light to create the exact mood she wants—everything from upgraded natural to highly stylized flash shots are within her abilities. Often published in magazines as diverse as Modern Luxury Brides Houston and Modern Luxury Interiors Texas, her work is everything an editor likes to see.

4. Kaitlyn Tran

A budding creative director, Kaitlyn Tran has a carefree vibe to her work—gorgeous people, a rainbow of colors, and enough creative techniques to keep it interesting. Her work shines when shooting creative concepts—collaborating with others to make the elements of each photo come together perfectly to tell a story—the hallmark of a fashion editorial photographer.

5. Daniel Kramer

Daniel Kramer started making a name for himself when he joined the Eddie Adams Workshop as one of the top 100 college photographers in the country. Since then, his work has appeared in numerous national publications including TIME, Newsweek, and The Atlantic.

He is an expert in taking what is in front of him and creating art from it. Using color, form, and shadow as his mediums, he creates visually compelling images that transport the viewer within time and space.

6. Spencer Young

Spencer Young is a Houston editorial photographer helping businesses and people tell their stories in an artful way. He is also a notable digital retoucher for those projects that require an extra dash of art. He has a slightly retro aesthetic—the soft colors and deep contrast are very reminiscent of film—which gives his work a nostalgic feel.

7. Syed Taqi Abbas of Token Photo

Syed Taqi Abbas can’t be put in a box—believing “specialization is for insects,” he is constantly blending genres and pushing the bounds of what a kind of photography is supposed to be. The result is an ever-evolving and thoroughly creative body of work that tells a story not only of his subjects, but the subtle story of his journey as an artist.

8. Anne Schmidt

A noted local wedding photographer, Anne Schmidt is also known as one of the most thoughtful Houston editorial photographers. Trained in photojournalism, her hybrid style makes sense—not only does she document the scene in front of her, she uses composition and color to add their own lines to the story. Her work is the finest of editorial styles—magazine-published and elegant.

9. Tracy Eason

At the intersection of lifestyle and advertising photography, there is Tracy Eason. Offering a branding photoshoot that is representative of you and your business, she brings the polish you need to put your best foot forward. Tracy creates from her personal authenticity as an artist rather than what’s trendy and in vogue.

10. Sarah Miller

Offering food, family, and fashion photography in Houston and throughout the country, Sarah Miller brings her editorial lifestyle flair to each of her specialties. Her work is draped in natural light—which adds a bright airiness to each shot—and her studio work is lit to have a thoroughly natural feel.

Published in LOCAL and Houstonia, she is the real deal, and clearly, we’re not the only ones who have noticed her the breezy aura of her work. Adaptable and constantly creative, Sarah is a gem in the city.

11. Paula N. Liu

Paula N. Liu was recently voted one of Houston’s best portrait photographers and it’s no wonder why—her expertly lit and thoroughly modern shots blend fashion and portrait work in an eye-catching way. As a photographer of people, she intuitively knows what poses work and which don’t while also capturing the side of her clients they want to show the world. Her headshots have been used by published authors, actors, and other notable individuals for years.

12. Meredith Flaherty

A lifetime lover of photography, it was only natural that Meredith Flaherty would make it her career path, and what a career it’s been! Spanning many genres of photography including family, portraits, weddings, and commercial, her portfolio shows off her diverse skill set and her eye.

Preferring natural light and natural colors, her commercial work is both magazine- and Instagram-worthy. She also prefers minimal compositions and allowing the subjects to speak for themselves. Taken as a whole, her work has a relaxed and easy feel to it, perfect for those brands with the same vibe.

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