The 10 Best Editorial Photographers in Kansas City

Visual storytelling is more than simply taking pictures. It is also finding images that convey a narrative through timing, composition, and an appreciation for what makes your subject unique. That’s why editorial photography is able to cover so much ground, and it’s what makes the work of the top Kansas City editorial photographers so fascinating to explore. Check out their phenomenal work below!

1. David Eulitt

As an expert in crafting narrative-driven photography and videography, David Eulitt is an obvious addition to this list. Having graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, he has years of experience in collaboration with newspapers like The San Bernardino Sun and the Kansas City Star.

David is not only an award-winning photojournalist, but has also worked as a sports photographer for four Summer Olympic Games, two World Series, and two Super Bowls. If you are looking to get immersed in the energy and emotions of sporting events, there is no better editorial photographer to work with!

2. Jason Tracy

Unlike many photographers out there, Jason Tracy discovered his love for the art form entirely by accident! In looking to fill an elective in high school, he found that photography offered an endless well of excitement for him to uncover. Now, as one of the top Kansas City editorial photographers, Jason creates images that are engaging and intimate in their composition.

He fills the frame with his subjects in a way that brings us into the emotions and excitement of the moment. And his talent for lighting is second to none, using natural light and flash to craft precisely the right mood for a collaboration!

3. Ryan Nicholson

Few Kansas City editorial photographers have the experience that Ryan Nicholson does in working with folks from all walks of life! From billionaires to survivors, his approach is to always seek out the story behind the person. In his own words, “I strongly believe that everyone has a story and I love the opportunity to tell stories whether I am producing, AKA ‘cat wrangling,’ or behind the camera creating visual content.”

That emphasis on storytelling gives even his commercial work a strong sense of narrative. It’s what draws major brands to collaborate with him. Household name brands like Walmart, Fortune Magazine, and Sports Illustrated are all familiar with the quality of his work, which you can see for yourself on his Instagram.

4. Darrin Hackney

Fashion, weddings, portraits, and more are the focus of Darrin Hackney! His expertise lies partially in feeling the emotions of the moment and using visual media to then convey them to viewers. But we also love how natural Darrin’s subjects appear—the comfort and ease they feel when working with a master photographer comes across in their expressions and poise.

From working in studio with models to telling the stories of everyday folks, the diversity on display in Darrin’s portfolio is another reason why he is one of our favorite Kansas City editorial photographers. We especially appreciate his approach to weddings, where the fine-art and documentary elements are perfectly balanced to convey both the unique as well as the traditional elements of the day!

5. David Morris

With over two decades of experience as a creative professional, David Morris is the commercial and editorial photographer of choice for many of Kansas City’s most successful brands. He works on location to showcase the faces behind businesses and products, in the studio to better express the personalities of models and artists, and much more. In addition, among David’s team is an expert retoucher, marketing coordinator, and other staff to ensure every collaboration goes as smoothly as possible.

6. Jim Barcus

While many photographers are self-taught nowadays, Jim Barcus proves the benefits of working with one who studied formally. As a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute, his BFA led to him partnering right out of school with editorial publications like the Associated Press and The Kansas City Star.

Jim’s photography is intimate in its expression thanks to his willingness to get up close and personal with his lens. From offering a documentary lens on events in South Asia to sporting events closer to home, his portfolio is a prime example of where a love for editorial photography can take you.

7. Ron Berg Studio

With over two decades of experience, Ron Berg’s still and video productions have become constantly in demand with national and international name brands in need of the highest-quality visual media! A few of his past clients include Esquire, GQ, New York Magazine, and other household name brands.

While he’s returned to his hometown of Kansas City to continue his art, Ron has prior experience in New York and Chicago, becoming a top photographer in these even more competitive markets. His work is detail-oriented without missing any of the artistry that draws us all to photography in the first place. And there is even a sense of playfulness that can be transmitted in many of his collaborations.

8. Colt Coan

As a commercial, event, and Kansas City editorial photographer, Colt Coan’s portfolio includes major world events, performances, and anything that happens to interest him personally. His sense of timing and narrative is immediately apparent in his collection of photojournalistic images. As well as his editorial and commercial images, where background, subject, composition, and light all convey precisely the right mood to viewers like us!

9. Marissa Cribbs

Editorial photography is more than telling stories about photojournalistic events and commercial images. It is also stories about life milestones like weddings and senior graduations, as the work of Marissa Cribbs demonstrates.

We love how masterfully she combines story with her fine-art perspective on her subjects. It allows us to appreciate both the uniqueness of each couple’s marriage as well as the romantic, nostalgic elements common to all weddings.

10. Lauren Pusateri

Commercial studios are where some of the best editorial images are born! As Lauren Pusateri’s portfolio and breathtaking Instagram feed demonstrate, being able to control lighting, color, and posture to ideal effect allows you to bring nearly any visual story to life, no matter how complex. What’s more, her love for vibrant color and illumination gives her portfolio a celebratory, cheerful aspect that’s well worth exploring more deeply!

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