The 13 Best Editorial Photographers in Austin

As a famously creative city, Austin has no shortage of talented individuals, especially when it comes to editorial photography. From scenic Lady Bird Lake to the nearby countryside, Austin boasts a bounty of photogenic locales. It only makes sense that creatives would flock to the city and call it home. So, when we went looking for the best Austin editorial photographers, there were so many to choose from! Take a look at their work.

1. Katie Jameson

Austin editorial photographer Katie Jameson has a fine-art style. Her thoughtful compositions draw the eye and maintain interest while her preference of a minimal color palette of natural tones is both wholesome and earthy. Her style is perfect for those with an authentic elegance—the natural beauty of products and people really shine in her work.

2. Michael Thad Carter

With a background in graphic design, you know the work of Austin editorial photographer Michael Thad Carter is going to be excellently composed and he does not disappoint. Working with a long list of instantly recognizable clients, including Conde Nast Traveler, ESPN Magazine, and Forbes, just to name a few, Michael has become known for his sharp commercial style.

3. Anna Mazurek

Anna Mazurek has some impressive credentials—in addition to a masters in photojournalism and documenting her travels in over 50 countries, she has publishing credits as an author and as a photographer. Presently, she works as a photography instructor for National Geographic Expeditions.

Her portfolio boasts long list of travel magazines and newspapers as clients, as she often lives out her life’s mission to “inspire people to fully engage with the world” through her art. Her work is everything editorial photography should be—encompassing a story in a single shot and implanting a seed of curiosity in the viewer.

4. Drew Anthony Smith

Drew Anthony Smith has worked with a long list of clients in his work as an Austin editorial photographer—The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, and Sports Illustrated, just to name a few. While tailoring his shots to what story the client wants to tell, he does have a definable style—preferring bright colors, a combination of flash and wide-angle lens, and generally cheery images.

5. Sarah Natsumi Moore

With a summery style and an intuitive understanding of color, Sarah Natsumi Moore has an immediately recognizable vibe—fresh and happy. In her work as an editorial and commercial photographer, she does everything from art direction of product photos to outdoors lifestyle shoots, but every subject in front of her gets her special brand of creative play.

Her work often incorporates elements from other art mediums—oil paint and graphic design especially—for a look that gets brands noticed. It’s no wonder she’s among the top editorial photographers in Austin!

6. Christy Anna Photography

Christy Campbell effortlessly blends fashion, portraits, and branding into a body of work that is equal parts inspirational, playful, and real. She prefers natural colors and tones with plenty of contrast for a moody look. Believing that our differences are what makes us beautiful, she is on a mission to capture the beauty in every person she photographs. Her style is perfect for those people and businesses who want the beauty of their differences to tell their story.

7. Buff Strickland

Working in an advertising firm, Buff Strickland realized that her lifelong passion for photography could be an asset and she’s spent the last 20 years making photos for magazine covers and features. Having worked with big names like Travel+Leisure and House Beautiful, Buff has cultivated her look and brand into some of the finest editorial photography in the country. While every subject in front of her ends up looking spectacular, she has a particular knack for food and the artists who make it.

8. Bill McCullough

Exhibited all over the world, with exhibitions in both Austin and Portland, OR, as well as the artist behind multiple photography books, Bill McCullough is a notable photographic talent. Often working with national newspapers and magazines, he has a documentary feel to his work. He doesn’t pose his subjects, but rather simply allows the scene to play out while finding the most interesting parts.

9. Alicia Leigh

For 10 years, Alicia Leigh has been helping women capture the essence of themselves and their businesses in all their beautiful, authentic glory. Not only focused on headshots, she helps you get to the heart of what makes you tick and plans a shoot around it to bring it to the forefront.

Each of her photos tells a story of the woman in front of her with thoughtful editorial portraits. If you are in need of updated branding shots and want a photographer who will work to understand and capture you in a real way, she’s the one for you.

10. Brittany Dawn Photography

Brittany Short blends lifestyle and advertising elements into her editorial work—showing viewers an inspirational vision of who her subjects are or allowing viewers to imagine themselves using a product. Her work has plenty of style, creating a work of art with each shot.

Her creative direction and attention to detail has won her the notice of big brands, inducing Adidas and Neiman Marcus, and it caught our eye, too—high-definition and expertly composed, her work is truly glorious. She’s truly among top-tier Austin editorial photographers.

11. Mack Eveland

With a portfolio flirting with elements of boho, retro, and Western, Mack Eveland has a fun style, perfect for telling the tales of Texas. She uses a combination of high-contrast flash and rich autumn tones for her retro inspired work; neutral colors and plant textures for the boho style; and all of the seemingly endless sky and fringe to give her work the essence of the state. Her aesthetic is perfect for apparel brands who want to appeal to the stylish and the carefree, as well as those who want to show off their brand roots in the Lone Star State.

12. Joi Conti

Working within a variety of client needs from a colorful product shoot all the way to a dreamy wedding day, Joi Conti seemingly does it all—and she does it incredibly well. She’s able to transition from bringing a concept to life in her fashion and editorial work to beautifully documenting the first day of a couple’s new life together with ease—a rare feat.

Her fashion editorials are inspired by oil paintings with rich colors and textures, and her beauty shots are minimal, keeping the eye on the models. The high quality of her work across the full spectrum of her portfolio easily marks her as one of the best editorial photographers in Austin.

13. Craig Washburn

Thanks to his polished, result-driven commercial and editorial collection of images, Craig Washburn deserves his place as among one of the most noteworthy Austin editorial photographers! From people and services to products and spaces, Craig’s images help convey stories to better engage potential customers.

His clients include major businesses like Chevrolet, Airbnb, FedEx, and many more household name brands. All of which are looking for only the best to work with in Austin. Yet, Craig is just as familiar with telling the stories of urban farms, small business entrepreneurs, and other brands on the opposite end of the spectrum!

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