The 12 Best Editorial Photographers from Philadelphia

Curious about who made our list of Philadelphia editorial photographers? You’ll have to stay tuned to learn who’s the best of the best in the City of Brotherly Love. The genre of editorial photography is interesting since it gives us an idea of the fabric of a city. In a day and age where we are defined by the media we consume, the role of an editorial photographer has become more vital than ever. 

From those who see their pictures in print to photographers doing visual storytelling and documenting — Philadelphia has its share of experts. We are excited to throw light on some of the most gifted Philadelphia editorial photographers. These artists let their pictures speak a thousand words. Let’s dive in!

1. Peter Tobia

A former photographer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Peter Tobia’s documentation of the human experience is a series of moving photographs that make you wish to stop, ask, and know more. 

His Instagram profile reveals just how large social issues insert themselves into the lives of ordinary citizens. The phenomenal work series on his website covers regions of Pakistan and Iraq, the fall of the Saddam regime, and the aftermath. Tobia’s work encompasses storytelling of both large-scale events and daily life, with a degree of sensitivity that is highly respectable. 

2. Ronald Grey

Ronald Grey’s work is truly versatile. In fact, it ranges from a photojournalist’s street lens to a bold exploration of fashion, modeling, and lifestyle photography. 

His gorgeously staged photographs have a life of their own, with surreal colors that catch your eye and imagination. With powerful editorial portraits and art-directed concept shoots for popular publications such as Endee Magazine, Philadelphia Tribune, and Philadelphia Sunday Sun, he’s one of the best practitioners of fashion and lifestyle editorial photography in Philadelphia. 

3. Mark Makela

Specializing in documentary and portrait photography, Mark Makela aptly calls his art “finding beauty in obscurity”. As we see from his website, whether it is the Olympics, the pandemic, or a trial that holds the nation’s attention, Makela captures and frames moments that form history. 

When not shooting these momentous glimpses, we see him covering a range of portraits. These include people great and small, and the action surrounding them is captured with ease.  And this visual storytelling is what makes him a great Philadelphia editorial photographer. He’s also been featured in WIRED magazine and Reuters.

4. Kriston Jae Bethel

Large movements are made up of many small people acting together in good conscience. Kriston Bethel’s lens captures these individuals as they go about their day, execute their duties, or raise their voices to take a stand. Simply check out his Instagram to see for yourself!

Sometimes, it is a moment of celebration. Other times, it is the ordinary struggles of life in Dallas. But the people themselves are never ordinary, as his portraits of Dallas locals lets their spirit shine through. As a member of American Reportage and Diversify Photo, Bethel makes his mark boldly in the Philadelphia editorial photographer landscape.

5. Jeff Wojtaszek

Jeff Wojtaszek is an expert in environmental portraits. He shoots his clients on location and delivers bold, powerful pictures that get featured in publications across the city. 

As he photographs leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, he exposes their many unseen, interesting sides. He then proceeds to edit and display these images with gorgeous precision. Wojtaszek’s photographs regularly make the cover pages and features of magazines like Real Woman and IA, which says plenty about the quality of his work. 

6. Dave Moser

There probably isn’t one kind of portrait Dave Moser sticks to. He plays with style, setting, art direction, and even the minutiae of editing regularly. The result is a body of work that is unfailingly versatile. This means incredible flexibility, whether he’s shooting one person, executing a brief by a design firm, or finding beauty in everyday moments. In fact, his website by-line echoes that sentiment by calling his work, “reality amplified”. 

We catch a glimpse of just how his portraits show up in the media in his “Tearsheets” series. His dynamic portraiture has also been featured on the covers of national magazines and global advertising campaigns. It’s this dexterity that has won him awards from Communication Arts, PDN, Graphis, Applied Arts, Prix De La Photographie Paris, ASMP, and many more, putting him right up amongst the best Philadelphia editorial photographers in the business. 

7. Ron Stephens Jr. 

In Ron Stephens Jr.’s work, storytelling is as important as the pictures he is clicking. While this is true in many ways for many different journalists, Stephens’ practices help him stand apart from his peers. 

Rather than seek out the thick epicenter of action, Stephens finds his stories in the everyday lives of the people living them. Some of his photos may appear random at first. However, a second glance reveals a careful juxtaposition of many elements coming together to reveal much more. Stephens exemplifies the idea of stories being as good as the people living them. Check out one of his most popular series, “Black Joy”, created for the Philadelphia Inquirer

8. Stephanie Nolt

Stephanie Nolt’s talents cater to practically every kind of personal and family event you could think of. Her commercial work is just as robust, covering advertising, fashion, modeling, and portfolios, appearing in magazines like Yes! Magazine and more.

Nolt and her team across two cities, follow a common policy — treating their clients like family. Celebrations, weddings, classical musicians’ portraits, and even senior portraits allow her to work closely with all her clients. Her personal touch allows these pictures to stand out, making her a highly sought-after editorial photographer in the city. 

9. Monica Herndon

From staff photographer of the Philadelphia Inquirer to the chair of the Visual Task Force to an FAA licensed drone pilot — Monica Herndon wears many hats. Herndon’s illustrious career included work at several publications in Florida before a move to Philadelphia. 

Herndon’s subjects are people in action — in the midst of a game, a play, a performance. She focuses on what these people say, do, and represent, and that energy comes through in her photography. She fits no cookie-cutter mold — she’s seeking people and what they represent in the true style of a Philadelphia editorial photographer. When not shooting people, gorgeously plated food is her muse, making us viewers drool over the front pages of magazines like Dining Guide. 

10. Matt Stanley

Working as both a commercial as well as a documentary photographer, Matt Stanley helps his viewers put on rose-colored glasses and remove them when needed. We see a unique juxtaposition of rosy bright advertise-worthy imagery, as well as raw, real, and beautiful documentations of photojournalism. 

It probably isn’t easy to do justice to either practice without them feeding into each other. But Stanley accomplishes that feat well. In fact, he doesn’t let a sense of the commercial gloss over issues that need advocating. From welcoming new presidents to the pride walks, sit-ins and protests, he displays it all with empathy and respect. These qualities have put his pictures in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, as well as various nonprofit publications. 

11. Jen Strogatz

Jen Strogatz is one of the most eclectic Philadelphia editorial photographers out there. Her work encompasses events, music, and people in the best possible way. Strogatz treats every project as a work of art, letting the minute details of a moment fill the frame to create a compelling experience. 

Her approach has made her work in the art, music, event, and creative scene a cornerstone in itself. In fact, her work has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Independent Philly, LilWayneHQ, and the Press Photographers of America. 

12. Steve Boyle

Editorial photographer Steve Boyle has made a niche of shooting for athletic stories. From the excitement of horse racing to football, he’s primarily worked with athletes for most of his career. He’s adept at capturing their vitality, prowess, and energy vividly in his photographs

His stint at Sports Illustrated allowed him to view athletes with a greater personal lens, leading to work that has since been featured in ESPN magazine, Bicycling Magazine, Runner’s World, Sportsnet, and more. 

Peerspace loves Philadelphia editorial photographers!

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Source: Peerspace

We hope you enjoyed the work of these incredible Philadelphia editorial photographers. They are some of the best in the business, not only in the city. And no matter what side of the lens you’re on, reach out to Peerspace when you need an inspiring location for an event or project. We have hundreds of spaces in Philadelphia alone ideal for photoshoots, parties, meetings, and more.

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