The 7 Best Editorial Photographers in Albuquerque, NM

From presidential photographers to artists who live alongside local communities, there is always a need for professional editorial photographers. The ability of images to convey a written narrative simply can’t be overlooked. Whether that’s in print or the digital space, the work of each of these talented Albuquerque editorial photographers is powerful. Their portfolios reach out and ask you to take a closer look at their subjects.

1. Adria Malcolm

As a freelance photojournalist, Adria Malcolm is open to collaborations that resonate with her values. And as you’ll come to see when browsing her work, Adria is a people-centric photographer. Her work takes her into the lives of her subjects, inside their homes and beside them at dinner. We are treated to rare views of what it’s like to live in rural communities, battle droughts, and stand on the front lines of a pandemic.

If you are a reader of publications like The Atlantic, Bloomberg, or Time, then you may have already come across her photography. Underrepresented people and communities are a special focus of Adria’s. And in recognizing the need to give back, she even runs workshops on cinematography and documentary photography for middle and high school students.

2. Eric Draper

Eric Draper is an Albuquerque editorial photographer best known for his time spent as former president George Bush’s chief photographer for both terms of the presidency. Eric worked daily with the former president, documenting his work for editorial and historical purposes. Photographs taken by him will be revisited and appreciated for decades to come.

Eric manages to convey both the sides of the president shown to the world as well as the more intimate and personal aspects. Over a million photographs over the course of these eight years were deemed worthy of preservation. Even before working with former president Bush, Eric was an experienced photojournalist. He was a partner for The Associated Press, as well as the Seattle Times, Albuquerque Tribune, and Pasadena Star-News.

3. Elizabeth Wells

There is more to editorial photography than photojournalism and fashion. Elizabeth Wells brings the art of visual storytelling to the world of fashion and wedding photography. This Albuquerque editorial photographer has over 200 weddings’ worth of experience to draw from. She often takes couples into the scenic outdoors of New Mexico, where the setting can add an entirely new dimension to the romantic narratives being told.

Elizabeth began her photography journey over a decade ago. And since then, she’s only become more in demand. Many people resonate with the more subdued qualities of her images. How color is asked to whisper while contrast, light, and shadow hold center stage. The intimate working distances Elizabeth favors also heighten how emotion and mood affect each of her viewers.

4. Roberto E. Rosales

As a staff photographer for The Albuquerque Journal, Roberto E. Rosales is a natural fit for our list. This Albuquerque editorial photographer focuses on breaking news, immigration, and social justice issues. And the intimacy of his work is hard to ignore! Roberto is continually on the front lines where his subjects are often in arm’s reach of the camera. He sits alongside border patrol officers during their shifts, and stands in the mass of protesters when the tension is thickest.

This gives his work a dynamism that images from the sidelines fail to convey. Roberto is also an educator who works hard to pass on his skills to the next generation of photojournalists. He regularly teaches classes at the University of New Mexico’s Film and Digital Arts (FDA) department on photography and photojournalism.

5. Katherine Vandergriff

Katherine Vandergriff is one editorial photographer whose work takes you on an exciting dive into the world of portraiture. From fashion to lifestyle elements, her collection does far more than showcase a few pretty faces. There is always a deeper narrative.

Sometimes the style is conceptual, asking you to look closer at the intentions of the artist and subject. The apparel and environmental cues can feel shockingly out of place from what you’d expect, which is part of what we love about Katherine’s approach. Colors range from subdued to bold, but always work well with the playful qualities of each shot.

6. Steven St. John

Albuquerque editorial photographer Steven St. John was a staff photographer and assistant picture editor for The Albuquerque Tribune before the publication ceased production. He now works as a freelance photographer who has been recognized in places like The Associated Press and the Scripps Journalism Awards. A few of Steven’s previous editorial clients include The Daily Beast, Expansion Magazine, and The New York Times.

Steven’s portfolio takes us into the lives of communities across New Mexico, the United States, and Central America. From local celebrations to editorial portraits, the diversity of human expression is captivating. Each image is a single snapshot from a much larger story, inviting further questions in viewers about his subjects. Check out his work on his Instagram and website.

7. Salvador Gomez of Art of War 505

Salvador Gomez is an Albuquerque photojournalist who has a different focus from the others on this list. He tells stories about combat sports from the gaze of a professional. From jiu jitsu to mixed martial arts, Salvador finds angles that highlight the power and grace of his subjects, taking us right onto the mat where the fists and sweat are flying. Salvador’s approach is documentary in character as a result.

A mixture of wide-angle and telephoto views allows us to appreciate the entirety of the space, as well as enjoy closer perspectives on fighters in action. Salvador also has a strong sense of the decisive moment. The photographic instants that best define a particular sport or the way a person moves. All of this contributes to his place in our list of the top Albuquerque editorial photographers!

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