The 12 Best Editorial Photographers in Atlanta

With more than 6 million people, the Atlanta metropolitan area is not only one of the most prominent cities in the South, but of the country as a whole. The city also has a very strong media presence, one that produces a pool of very talented Atlanta editorial photographers. We at Peerspace searched for the top editorial photographers in this city, and the results did not disappoint. Here are some of the best among this exceptional group. 

1. Kahran and Regis Bethencourt

CreativeSoul Photography’s husband-and-wife team, Kahran and Regis Bethencourt, went viral for something you may remember: a magnificent series of studio portraits, each of a young girl of color with natural hair and spectacular heritage-period attire.

Before this, the duo spent more than a decade in lifestyle photography for magazines and media outlets like Teen Vogue, Glamour, and Black Enterprise. The Bethencourts’ empowering and self-affirming creation is a great example of change that can be achieved with brilliant photography. Their hair series was even transformed into a critically-acclaimed book, The Me I Choose to Be.

2. Matt Odom

If freelance photographer Matt Odom’s huge list of awards doesn’t help him stand out among Atlanta editorial photographers, maybe his equally sizable list of prominent clients — including the National Geographic, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal — may do the trick.

Though he works in different genres, Odom’s editorial portraits are what got us looking through his portfolio. Each conveys reality through raw simplicity. Refreshingly unadorned with much technical wizardry, Odom’s portraits seem to eliminate a lot of layers between us and their subjects. His style lets us establish a direct, more powerful connection.

3. Lynsey Weatherspoon

A strong photographic skill set and incredible photojournalistic instincts are what freelance photographer Lynsey Weatherspoon brings to the table. Often tapped by many of the biggest names in media “to capture heritage and history in real time,” Weatherspoon’s portraits are particularly noteworthy.

Whether her subjects are serious or smiling, active or posed, Weatherspoon uses superb lighting techniques and environmental elements. These help turn her deceptively simple photographs into compelling images. And it is all truly remarkable.

4. Jason Hales

With his palpable commercial style and approach to photography, Jason Hales may not be your choice among Atlanta editorial photographers if you want a street photojournalist look-and-feel. But editorial needs and tastes vary, and Hales wows those who seek out crisp, bright, and well-conceptualized advertising-quality imagery for their publications.

Some of his technically perfect and clean images are meant to jump off the page and grab you, while others perform a more supporting role. His portfolio shows Hales is a creative master at both.

5. Jeremy Harwell

Among the Atlanta editorial photographers we’ve seen, Jeremy Harwell’s specialty is the most unexpected: weddings. With his wedding pictures appearing regularly in numerous publications, including Martha Stewart Weddings, Bride’s Magazine, and even The New York Times, Harwell probably didn’t expect this career evolution either.

After getting his start as a newspaper photojournalist, he became a portrait photographer, then Creative Director at Ralph Lauren. Now he’s considered by both Martha Stewart and Condé Nast Brides as one of the top wedding photographers in the nation! Look through his portfolio, and you’ll see why.

6. Stan Kaady

In a photography career spanning more than a quarter of a century, Stan Kaady has had ample opportunity to impress his advertising, corporate, and editorial clientele with his dynamic style. As we can immediately see while going through his work, Kaady isn’t averse to taking advantage of what technology can deliver.

In fact, he has a proclivity for stark contrasts and intense colors and highlights that result in high impact, dramatic images. With a magazine client list that includes Forbes, Time, and American Lawyer, Kaady’s vision clearly works, even with the traditional and conservative.

7. Nick Burchell

Whatever path his photography career takes him, Atlanta editorial photographer Nick Burchell always goes back to what has driven him from the start, “the personal side of documentary photography”. The man just simply loves “creating work that tells a story”.

That’s plenty evident in his portfolio, which is filled with photographs covering a wide variety of subjects. Most look handheld, lit naturally or by available light, a look that imparts a true-to-life quality that just draws you in to learn more about the real stories he has captured.

8. Fernando Decillis

An advertising and editorial photographer for nearly two decades, Fernando Decillis’s portfolio screams, “busy real working professional here”. And that’s even before seeing his impressive list of big-name clientele, including Smithsonian, Time, and Vanity Fair.

His editorial work largely takes a documentary approach, but with consistent quality. It makes you wonder how photographers of his caliber always seem to capture the cleanest, crispest on location images, all while looking completely natural, regardless of the environment and available light. Needless to say, Decillis’s work is a marvel.

9. Kathryn McCrary

Food photography is Kathryn McCrary specialty. She happens to be so good at it, that her images appear frequently in many nationally-recognized publications, both print and digital, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and USA Today.

Key to her images’ appeal, we think, is McCrary also happens to be a lifestyle photographer, where real life is packaged with visual appeal. Her food pictures embody similar qualities: perfect professional presentation, but also so appetizingly real that looking at them on an empty stomach is risky!

10. Sara Hanna

As chief photographer of Atlanta’s Simply Buckhead magazine, there’s no question about Sara Hanna’s editorial photography knowledge and experience. That she’s also a seasoned freelancer — with pictures featured in O, the Oprah Magazine; Food & Wine; and other regional publications. All of which add big exclamation points to her credentials.

She has a visibly versatile mastery of different types of photography under varying conditions, from controlled studio shots to on-location work. Hanna is also one of the most well-rounded “whatever’s needed” pros we’ve seen.

11. Kevin D. Liles

As a documentary, commercial, and sports photographer, Kevin D. Liles’ multidisciplinary skills come together brilliantly. He’s the master in creating powerful sports images with layered narratives that publications love. So no surprise that his work appears regularly in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, the Washington Post, and other sports news media.

Along with his superb technical and creative abilities, he is also the Atlanta Braves’ team photographer. That gives him special access and points of view, something Liles definitely takes full advantage of.

12. Leah Perry

Capturing beauty and fashion images is Leah Perry’s thing. And so is the South, where she studied and now calls home (she’s a Boston transplant). If the quality of her work is any indicator, Perry is exactly where she’s supposed to be. Besides Perry’s photographic talent, her background in dance, movement, and interaction is a big help with directing her models and crafting compelling images.

Her ample list of clients and publications she’s worked with include Southern Living, the New York Post, and Jezebel. Knowing this simply reinforces the “top quality pro” work we can see with our own eyes.

Peerspace respects Atlanta editorial photographers

When it comes to creative professionals doing world-class work, Atlanta never disappoints. The best Atlanta editorial photographers work to ensure that their work brings that something extra to every publication collaboration. And the results speak for themselves.

When you need to book photoshoot locations that get results, consider Peerspace. We have hundreds of stunning spots in Atlanta alone that help you create work that makes people pause and take notice.

Find unique photoshoot locations in Atlanta on Peerspace