The 9 Best Editorial Photographers in Richmond, VA

Hoping to see some incredible work by the most talented Richmond editorial photographers? Then Peerspace has you covered with the following list!

In its simplest terms, editorial photography is a broad category that refers to images meant to accompany an article in a publication. Editorial photography can include photojournalism, portraits, food, sports, and so much more. But editorial photographers have to work within a deep understanding of publishing, considering the context of their photos within a larger collaborative piece of work. The city of Richmond is brimming with brilliant editorial photographers whose work we find endlessly fascinating.

Without further ado, here is our hotlist of the 9 best Richmond editorial photographers gracing renowned publications with their world-class artistry.

1. Kate Thompson

Kate Thompson’s editorial photography is legendary. She uses it to understand the nuances of the world surrounding her, and it shows in her brand of photography. Her camera enables her to connect with those she chooses to photograph, and she isn’t afraid to ask as many questions as it takes, to really help capture their essence. 

It’s no wonder Kate Thompson has been featured in the likes of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Travel & Leisure. Her images have even been in local publications like Richmond Magazine and Virginia Public Media. Through her body of editorial work, she skillfully explores intriguing themes like design, family, public health and identity. She’s easily one of the best Richmond editorial photographers in the field today.

2. Nick Davis

Nick Davis’s editorial photography style is easy yet compelling. His shots exude a quiet confidence that only someone who really cares about bringing people and products to life can have. Nick’ portfolio boasts clients across the spectrum — whether F&B, construction, or even activewear. His lens brings something special to the table, as evidenced by the expressiveness reflected in each picture. 

Take this photo of yoga practitioner, for instance. Davis has managed to offer a window into her personality with the way he has so effortlessly captured her in her element. His knack of showcasing the various facets of a person’s character through their pictures is a gift. And Davis is one of the most versatile Richmond editorial photographers working in the region.

3. Caroline Martin

Editorial photography’s purpose is to express and engage. And there’s nothing quite as engaging as Caroline Martin’s photography. Her portfolio is a vibrant and eclectic mix of images that tell stories with intelligence and authenticity. She captures everything from hospitality to tourism, outdoor industries and even the corporate world. Plus, Martin’s huge body of work has been featured in a plethora of publications like Virginia Business Magazine, Richmond Magazine, and Virginia Living Magazine. 

Caroline Martin has been trusted time and again to give vision and direction to her client’s ideas and concepts, and she never disappoints. Browse through Martin’s Instagram feed to encounter arresting imagery. We’re sure you’ll feel completely consumed by the picture you’re looking at. You just can’t help but be curious to know about its story. 

4. Sandra Sellers

www.instagram.com/selljanque/

Sandra Sellers’s editorial photography has a beautiful, almost abstract quality to it, uplifted further by dreamlike colors and compositions. She does not hesitate to capture bold themes through her simple but significant portfolio. Impressively, she has various accolades under her belt.

As a senior photographer for the Richmond Free Press, her work has earned “Best Spot News” and “Best Pictorial” from the Virginia Press Association and “Best News Photo” by the National Newspapers Publishers Association. The ease with which she manages to capture the undertone of her subject, without compromising on her artistic vision, rightfully earns Sellers a place as one of the best Richmond editorial photographers.

5. Kimberly Frost

www.instagram.com/kimberlyfrost

A close perusal of Kimberly Frost’s work on her Instagram feed reveals how close women-centric issues are to her heart. Each image is more powerful than the next, perfectly complimenting the statistics and other key information it accompanies.

Frost’s brand of editorial photography is one that not only catches the eye, but is also crucial to the community as a whole. From covering issues like body autonomy for women, to giving the queer community a spotlight at pride marches, Frost has consistently raised the bar for editorial photography and its impact. The next time you want an important issue covered delicately yet tastefully, delivering the required impact and then some, Kimberly Frost has to be your go-to editorial photographer.

6. Parker Michels-Boyce Photography

When we think of editorial photography that’s whimsical but poignant, we can’t help but think of Parker Michels-Boyce’s work. Be it a local protest in Richmond or heartwarming stories that emerged in the pandemic, Michels-Boyce never fails to infuse his empathetic vision into the subject matter.

Parker Michels-Boyce’s brand of photojournalism is limitless, in as much as there are no restrictions to the kinds of stories he prides himself on covering. His pictures are testament to how restless he is to tell the stories of his subjects, their journeys becoming the most pivotal aspect of his photoshoots. It takes a true artist to imbibe that story and make it their own through their work, making Parker Michels-Boyce one of the most distinguished Richmond editorial photographers.

7. Abigail Grey Photo

Abigail Grey’s Instagram bio best encapsulates her approach to her editorial photography, where she says she is “documenting the texture of life” for her clients. The narrative that emerges through her photographs is so strong that they are almost tactile — you can see, touch, and be with the person or environment she captures. She is undoubtedly a gifted editorial photographer. However, what sets her apart is that her lens seamlessly fits itself into a space where it seemingly doesn’t belong, and yet the results are always astounding.

Whether she is creating a portrait in a living room, a breathtaking sunset, or just a lonely corner of a coffee shop, the pictures transport you to a different time where you’re sharing space with the subject of her photographs. With her work published in The Guardian, The Observer, and Discovery Network, Grey can easily be trusted for any and all of your editorial needs.

8. Angela Elise

Photography has been Angela Elise’s lifelong passion, and it shows in her painstakingly captured pictures. She has always loved every aspect of editorial photography, from how emotions can be showcased in photographs to creative compositions. Her imagery is clean yet impactful — precisely what you’d look for in quality editorial photography. 

She especially loves capturing couples in love, their photographs being an untainted depiction of their love story. As a natural light photographer, Elise focuses on photographing in the outdoors, giving us ample reason to include her in this roundup of the best Richmond editorial photographers.

9. Kyle LaFerriere

It is only fitting to complete this collection of Richmond’s best editorial photographers with Kyle LaFerrier. His focus is clearly the great outdoors, and LaFerrier and his lens live and breathe it. Whether it’s in mountains, forests, lakes or farms, he does his best work out in the open. 

A regular contributor to Virginia Living and the World Wildlife Fund, LaFerrier promises authenticity in every project that he undertakes. From police dogs on a magazine cover and regional dishes in a cookbook, to everyday heroes headlining news articles, his subjects are as diverse as his photography skills. And even after his photographs making way in countless publications, LaFerrier is unafraid to experiment with his craft, giving us an unfiltered and honest depiction of life in Richmond.           

Camera rolling in Richmond

It’s hard to narrow down artists in a city that has so much historical, cultural, and political significance. We hope this journey through the work of these incredible artists has given you a glimpse into Richmond’s vibrant editorial photography scene. Their work is creative, yet unique in the sense that it not only makes you stop and stare, but also stop and think. 

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