The 9 Best Editorial Photographers in St. Louis, MO

Curious to see who made our list of the best St. Louis editorial photographers? St. Louis is bursting at the seams with photography and writing talent, and it’s also home to several beautiful publications with great imagery. As a category, “editorial photography” is a broad term generally encompassing any photography that accompanies an article. That might include portraits, photojournalism, food photography, sports photography, architectural photography, and so much more.

But the key is that editorial photography is contributing towards telling a story, and St. Louis is full of good stories. The best St. Louis editorial photographers are producing world-class work that viewers all over the world enjoy. Let’s take a look.

1. Izaiah Johnson

It’s hard to overstate how good Izaiah Johnson is at his job. Whether on-set or on location, he’s known for stylish, super-slick photography that’s effortlessly attention-grabbing. If you’ve seen an issue of Sauce magazine, you may have seen smooth food photography on the cover. And when an image in St. Louis Magazine stops you in your tracks, there’s a good chance you’ll see Johnson’s name below it.

His command of lighting is impeccable, and his post-production chops are second to none. All this and more makes him one of the best St. Louis editorial photographers in the field today. 

2. Alise O’Brien

Alise O’Brien is best known for her stunning architectural and interior design photography. Her work routinely graces publications like St Louis Homes & Lifestyles, Design STL, and Sophisticated Living. You’ll also find her images in nationally-renowned outlets like Better Homes and Gardens and Fast Company.

O’Brien is supported by a talented support staff of second shooters, editors, and business managers, and together the crew supports world-class brands in addition to shooting for publications. Interior design photography is deceptively difficult to master since photographers find themselves accounting for complex issues of perspective and geometry. Absolute attention to detail is required, and O’Brien’s portfolio is a testament to both a sharp eye and exceptional technical knowledge. 

3. Kevin Roberts

https://www.instagram.com/kevinaroberts/

Kevin Roberts is St. Louis Magazine’s staff photographer, and he’s produced some of St. Louis’s best editorial photography for over a decade. As the full-time photographer of a periodical, he’s developed a formidable versatility as an artist. In his official bio for St. Louis Magazine, he highlights the “sheer variety” of topics he covers in his everyday work.

“One day I went from a salvage yard wearing a hardhat, safety glasses, and a reflective orange safety vest, to a surgeon’s operating room wearing green scrubs and booties.” From mouth-watering food photography to in-the-trenches photojournalism and stunning portraiture, it seems there’s nothing Kevin Roberts can’t do. 

4. Brian Cummings

Brian Cummings is a St. Louis editorial photographer, commercial director, creative director, and more, and he describes his specialization as “narrative lifestyle storytelling.” He’s drawn to “unique, conceptual” ideas, and it’s easy to see that sentiment in his work.

Cummings’s work is never boring, and his hip, creatively-charged work traverses styles and genres with ease. Most of Cummings’s work is with brands, including top names like Netflix, the NHL, McDonald’s, and even the US Army. He’s a great choice for anyone who needs big, expressive photography with a storytelling flair.  

5. Christine Tannous

Christine Tannous recently returned home to her native St. Louis from Memphis, where she was busy making waves in the photography scene. She’s a photojournalist through and through, so look to her for editorial photography in a documentary vein.

Tannous’s technical prowess and creative instincts are already making her a valuable asset at The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where we’re sure she’ll continue to produce beautiful images.

6. Matt Marcinkowski

St. Louis editorial photographer Matt Marcinkowski has dazzling work in At Home, St. Louis Magazine, Sophisticated Living, multiple ESPN publications, and elsewhere. His talent extends to working closely with brands as well, making him an all-around commercial photography powerhouse.

Much of Marcinkowski’s editorial work takes the form of portraits, and his are among the best in the business. They’re expressive, full of personality, and impeccably lit and composed.

7. RJ Hartbek

RJ Hartbek might be a street photographer at heart, a collector of stories and personalities. You’ll find a lot of his recent work living at theSTL, which makes sense given his enthusiasm for the city.

Hartbek is a staunch supporter of the St. Louis community, celebrating its local businesses — and especially its food. His photos are bright and natural, with pleasing contrast and saturation, and St. Louis’s people are always at the heart of the work. 

8. Jordan Opp

https://www.instagram.com/jordanoppphotos/

Jordan Opp has been doing brilliant work for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch — so much so that it’s hard to believe he’s less than a year out of college. Opp’s sports photography is particularly strong, capturing the joy of victory and struggle of competition in each thrilling frame.

Many of the shots in his portfolio are beautifully cinematic, and it’s clear that Opp is a natural-born visual storyteller. We look forward to seeing what he does next.

9. Jeremy Braggs

https://www.instagram.com/jbraggs.photos/

Jeremy Braggs is a St. Louis-based photographer with an extraordinary talent for glamorous, fashionable photos that would be right at home in the pages of Vogue. When it comes to editorial fashion photography, he’s possibly the best in St. Louis — if not all of Missouri — and his work speaks for itself.

Braggs also does headshots for businesses and personal branding, and in this capacity, he shows us his versatility by being able to craft images as unique and varied as his subjects.

Stunning in St. Louis

The best St. Louis editorial photographers combine artistry with technical expertise to produce gorgeous images. These talented creative professionals craft images that are as varied as the publications they work with, making for a hyper-talented community of unique artists.

Editorial photography has a way of helping shape how St. Louis residents view their own city, as well as how The Lou is understood well beyond its borders. Rest assured, with this crop of superb editorial photographers, St. Louis is in good hands.

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