What is editorial photography?
What is editorial photography? One of the most prominent subgenres of photography is editorial. This is one of the photographic styles that we are most accustomed to.
The foundations of editorial photography are fashion and journalism. The photos next to the text in a magazine or any other publication are all referred to as editorial photographs.
We’ll provide you with the information and resources you need in this guide to help you develop as an editorial photographer and produce jaw-dropping editorial photos for your online portfolio. Let’s examine the requirements for becoming an editorial photographer.
What is Editorial Photography?
Pictures used in print or online publications that accompany the text are known as editorial photography. With a focus on setting a certain atmosphere or tone for the work, editorial-style photographs are made to assist in telling a story or supporting the narrative in the text. These pictures frequently appear in magazines or newspapers, giving the topic a visual component.
You might shoot in various locations and genres as an editorial photographer, including food, portraits, events, and fashion. For instance, you might be contacted by an editor to assist with a profile of a brand-new restaurant, and you might then produce editorial photographs that showcase the establishment’s décor, furnishings, and menu items. You may also snap pictures of the setting, the visitors, and the performers if the narrative is about an outdoor festival.
Although it can be difficult to tell the difference between photojournalism and editorial photography, editorial images are frequently produced to complement a story or a text rather than as a form of journalism. Instead of journalistic shots, editorial photos are seen as more subjective, and editorial photos can be composed in more inventive ways. There are frequent exceptions to the tight guidelines that apply to photojournalist pictures in most magazines and newspapers for editorial-style shots.
Editorial Photography Concepts
Exploring conceptual ideas should begin with editorial fashion photography. Photos of models parading down catwalks at fashion shows are well-known. People outside the fashion business frequently think their outfits are outrageous or hilarious. They are not the type of clothes you would wear to the store.
However, the designers are presenting ideas rather than offering specific pieces of apparel for sale. Clothing from catwalks is not for sale. But high-street clothing incorporates the notions they convey.
The fashion business has shifted away from conventional advertising since the 1990s. Nowadays, brands use editorial fashion photos without a logo. The focus has shifted from clothing to lifestyle.
You won’t only find advertisements if you flip through a copy of Vogue. An editorial picture will not have a price tag. You can also have trouble identifying the brand to which the editorial belongs. However, the imagery is strong and impressive. And with editorial photography, numerous brands may be visible in a single image.
But it goes beyond just clothing and food. Regardless of the brief, the editorial photographer needs to think intellectually.
Editorial Photography Imagery
One image can convey a thousand words. Although it is a cliche, editorial photography exemplifies it perfectly.
To communicate a captivating story, editorial photographers often use visual language. Their editorial images have an abundance of imagery. Every element has been carefully chosen and analyzed. An editorial may only require one image, thus that image must be completely self-explanatory.
Photographers make use of symbols and pictures connected to their subjects. Avoiding clichés and stereotypes is crucial. Using a picture of the Eiffel Tower when the subject is Paris can be a little too obvious. An alternative would be to design a set like a French brasserie.
These word linkages weave together our cultural heritage. A single item can bring to mind a scene from a movie or a passage from a book we’ve read. We can be transported to a different season by how a room is lighted.
This impact is also present in places. Certain images might bring back memories or have connotations with civilizations or ways of life.
How Should I Take Editorial Photos?
Editorial photography is a challenging field that requires a lot of skill, persistence, and imagination. Many photographers work tirelessly to establish themselves in this cutthroat industry, gaining a wealth of experience and expertise. Let’s examine numerous editorial photography best practices, such as:
Choose the Best Camera and Lens
A camera, lens, and tripod are essential pieces of simple yet effective equipment while taking pictures for editorial usage. Consider a full-frame DSLR camera so you may utilize a variety of lenses on the camera body and achieve a good depth of field. Full-frame DSLR cameras from well-known photography brands, including Nikon and Canon, cost between $2,000 and $3,500. Making this investment will pay off after working on a few editorial projects. A 75mm f/1.8 or 45mm f/1.8 prime lens is an excellent choice for editorial photography because it can be used in various circumstances and are a great all-around alternative.
Have a Basic, Portable Equipment Package
As an editorial photographer, you are frequently thrust into new scenarios or locations that require flexibility and versatility. Keep your setup light and portable to react quickly to projects or jobs and take beautiful, natural pictures. Invest in simple lighting gear, such as a light meter, that you can easily transport from gig to gig so that your photographs are well-lit and professional-looking.
You might also wish to invest in a remote trigger to avoid touching your camera while you shoot. You can simply end up choosing a slow shutter speed to capture light and detail for a picture, depending on the session. In this setting, the image may wobble and develop blur or other flaws if you unintentionally touch the camera. By purchasing a remote trigger for your camera, you can have a touch-free setup for the shoot and prevent this problem.
Adhere to the Creative Brief
When you are given an editorial job, the publication’s editor will give you a creative brief to adhere to. The story’s main point and the editorial photography requirements are both outlined in the brief. Most creative briefs are detailed while being flexible enough to allow you some artistic freedom to produce editorial photography that fits your perspective and style.
Although you could have a specific location or shooting technique in mind, your client might not be satisfied if you entirely disregard the requirements given in the brief in favor of following your creative instincts. To ensure that your client is satisfied and receives what they paid for, make sure you meet the creative brief. This will show that you are a skilled photographer and have the ability to provide the editorial photos needed for the story.
Develop Original Story Concepts
Even though it’s critical that you always adhere to and complete the creative brief, most clients will be counting on you to develop a gripping story concept for the project. After all, you will need to develop story concepts that are distinctive and consistent to convince clients that you are worth hiring again. Your editorial photography should therefore assist in telling a story.
Consider the sequence of pictures you’ll take to illustrate the narrative and creative ways to depict a person or place. To develop an idea that will assist the story, take the time to understand the vision and specifics of the narrative for which the photos will be used. Clients frequently seek editorial photography with a distinct viewpoint and cleverly conveys a captivating narrative.
Be on Time and Flexible for Shoots.
In your capacity as an editorial photographer, you probably will be managing numerous tasks or projects at once. To show that you are a professional and to leave a good first impression on your clients, try to meet your deadlines and arrive on time. Failing a deadline isn’t an option because most clients hire you to supply editorial images on time and within budget.
You’ll probably need to position yourself and adjust to your surroundings during a photo shoot to get gorgeous editorial photographs. To achieve the pictures you need and want, try to be accepting of any difficulties or foreseeable obstacles. Then, handle problems as they arise.
Edit your Editorial Photos Afterward
Never finish a shoot by handing raw photography files to a customer and consider the job done. For their publications, clients will be seeking well-composed, carefully processed photographs. They won’t be impressed if you don’t edit or modify the raw image.
To ensure the images look their best and highlight your distinct point of view as a photographer, use a photo editing program like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. You can utilize various free picture editing programs to ensure the final photos wow your clients as well.
Editorial Photography Budgeting
A photographer’s portfolio will benefit greatly from editorial commissions. However, they don’t generate a lot of revenue. Budgets for commercial and editorial photography are very dissimilar.
Budgets for editorials are frequently modest, particularly when compared to advertising efforts. Publications pay for editorials, and they don’t have much money to spare.
The limited budget will challenge the photographer’s innovation. They have fewer tools and less studio time. The abilities and methods of editorial photography must compensate for a lack of resources.
Smaller budgets also translate into lower photographic fees. However, it’s not all about the cash. Published editorials provide massive publicity and can lead to jobs with higher compensation.
How Much Do Editorial Photographers Earn?
Remember that many editorial photographers operate as independent contractors or freelancers and are compensated on a job-by-job basis when evaluating editorial photographer pay rates. As a result, the sort of editorial images you are paid to produce and the budget of the clients you work for will frequently determine your revenue as an editorial photographer.
PayScale estimates that the average annual compensation for editorial photographers is roughly $47,000 USD, however, your actual earnings will depend on the work and contracts you can secure.
Because of the growth of social media photographs and the unstable financial state of many newspapers, photographers may find the editorial market to be fairly competitive. They will need to work hard to make a respectable living.
When you break down each picture or by the time it might take you to take them, a large magazine like Vanity Fair or Dazed and Confused may pay you $500 to $1500 CAD to shoot a series of editorial photos isn’t much. Smaller magazines or newspapers might pay you less for a collection of editorial photos. Still, you might be more motivated by the opportunity to create the content than by the money.
To preserve a wide skill set as a photographer and to supplement their editorial work, many editorial photographers may take on the occasional commercial project. This helps them stay afloat financially. Editorial photographers may also purchase the usage rights to their photos to allow them to resell the pictures as stock images.
Editorial photography is one of the best genres for a photographer to express their artistic thoughts freely. Hopefully, some of this information has motivated you to write your own editorial and pursue your photographic aesthetic interests.
FAQs on What is Editorial Photography
What makes a photo look editorial?
With a focus on setting a certain atmosphere or tone for the work, editorial-style photographs are made to assist in telling a story or supporting the narrative in the text. These pictures frequently appear in magazines or newspapers, giving the story a visual component.
Why is editorial photography important?
Photographers can express their creativity while expressing a story by using editorial photos. You may develop your abilities and add something distinctive to your portfolio by incorporating narrative into your photography, whether it be portraiture, fashion photography, or conceptual images.
What is the difference between commercial and editorial photography?
Commercial photography influences customers to purchase a certain brand, good, or service. Advertising campaigns, entertainment marketing, packaging, and overall branding frequently use commercial photography. The outcome of commercial photography is significantly influenced by the brand being promoted.
On the other hand, editorial photography seeks to illustrate a topic or convey a story. The goal is to express and interact, not to sell. Journalism, editorial features, magazines, and newspapers frequently use editorial photography. The story is significantly more important in editorial photography than a brand is.
Originally posted on January 11, 2023 @ 8:33 pm