The 9 Best Editorial Photographers in Lincoln, NE

Curious to see who made our list of the top Lincoln editorial photographers? Editorial photography covers a broad range of photographic work. Most simply, the term “editorial photography” generally refers to any image meant to accompany a published article. This can encompass lifestyle photography, photojournalism, portraiture, sports photography, and so much more.

The best Lincoln editorial photographers bring technical prowess and sharp artistic skills to the work they do every day, gracing Lincoln’s publications with captivating images. 

1. Justin Wan

Justin Wan is as versatile a photojournalist as you’ll find. Like several of the best Lincoln editorial photographers in the field, you’ll routinely find his work among the pages of the Lincoln Journal Star, where he serves as a photographer and videographer. There’s nothing quite like being in the trenches of a daily paper to develop 

2. Kathy Plunkett

What’s not to love about Kathy Plunkett’s photography? She has as keen an eye for expressive, stylish editorial photography as anyone we’ve ever seen. You might not guess it, given her background. She originally graduated from Virginia Tech as a mechanical engineer, after which she spent over a decade getting her hands dirty with diesel engines.

Like many great photographers, she fell into the hobby over time, and eventually, the hobby became a profession. That turned out to be great news for Lincoln publications, since Plunkett’s editorial photography is some of the best in the business. 

3. Noah Riffe

Noah Riffe says that he wants to tell stories in an authentic way and that passion is reflected in his work. When you peruse his portfolio, the first thing you’ll notice is that it’s full of crisp, high-contrast, colorful images.

Riffe’s composition is second to none, and you’ll also notice that people are the center of his work. His photos burst with life and motion, each of them telling a story, from the mundane to the life-changing. 

4. Jaiden Tripi

https://www.instagram.com/jaidentripi/

It’s hard to believe Jaiden Tripi hasn’t been doing this for decades. A native of Rochester, New York, he cut his teeth with phone photography in high school, then eventually enrolled in the photography program at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Tripi’s short stint as a visual journalist for the Lincoln Journal Star gives us a glimpse into a young artist who’s coming out of the gate roaring with talent. His shots are cinematic and dramatic, and they’ll stop your scrolling dead in its tracks. 

5. Corey Rourke

Corey Rourke’s editorial photography is often focused on professionals. On his website, he remarks that he’s “fascinated by people and their professions, especially if they are hands-on and creative…There is a certain romance in how a product is made that is often overlooked by your everyday consumer.”

Therein lies the beauty of a visual story — it can elevate the mundane, and teach us to see familiar things with new eyes. Rourke also often experiments with unconventional (and often archaic) photographic techniques, which we appreciate. On his social media, you’ll see him making tintypes and direct positive photographs, which is something you don’t see every day.  

6. Hayden Rooney

Both in the studio and in the field, Hayden Rooney knows how to produce slick, print-ready photography that goes the distance. His Instagram profile lists his specialties as portraiture, fine art, wildlife, and street photography, which is an eclectic mix of interests that have produced an adaptability that suits him well.

Rooney’s images are as creative as they are authentic, and it’s that artistry that cements his position among the best Lincoln editorial photographers.

7. Kenneth Ferriera

A native of Wyoming, Kenneth Ferriera is yet another young Lincoln photographer who has wasted no time in reaching a level of skill that some photographers take decades to achieve.

Ferriera’s images are composed beautifully with traditional artistic principles in mind. They make a gorgeous accompaniment to any written piece or stand on their own as powerful photo essays in their own right. 

8. Matt Silfer

Matt Silfer cut his teeth on a Kodak Instamatic back in the 80s, then eventually upgraded to 35mm in high school. It wasn’t until 2010 that he began shooting professionally (at a newspaper), and since then he hasn’t looked back.

These days, Silfer’s editorial work tends towards the commercial and branding side of the category. For our money, however, his finest editorial work is his portraiture. Silfer enjoys capturing people in their natural element, following their passion. Thankfully, Lincoln is full of compelling characters to feature. 

9. J. L. Scott

It didn’t surprise us to learn that J. L. Scott has a background in graphic design. Her work demonstrates solid design fundamentals, as well as a commercial sensibility. Scott’s current work is often for brands — not publications themselves — but when you examine her work, it’s easy to see how it could slot right into a two-page fold in any glossy magazine in the country. This is particularly true of her product photography, which is stylish and playful.

Straight for the heart of the prairie

Lincoln is a place where the old meets the new, with historic buildings and modern developments coexisting harmoniously, where tradition lives beside thriving modern culture. 

The best Lincoln editorial photographers have a strong sense of the fundamentals and tradition of their craft but are always looking forward. They push themselves to grow creatively. In doing so they push the publications they work with to be better for their audiences.

Next time you’re flipping through a local magazine, make sure to look at the photo credits below the pictures. You just might see some of these names.

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