What is Editorial Photography?
Editorial photography is the use of images alongside text in to tell a story or to educate readers. A feature story about a restaurant may include photos of the interior, exterior, and menu items. Fashion photography is an example of editorial photography that tells a story without using text. Fashion editorials can be multipage spreads that show a theme and are not accompanied by text. These images are less about selling products than representing a mood.
What are the uses of editorial photography? Editorial images could be candid photos of a sporting event, or magazine covers of celebrities or public figures. You can find editorial photography in:
- Articles in a newspaper or magazine
- Textbooks
- Editorial features
- Essays
- Documentaries
Without a model release or consent form, editorial photographs cannot be used in advertising. An image taken for editorial purposes may contain copyrighted logos and recognizable branding. It is only allowed for editorial use. Here are CDS, we generally set a period for exclusive usage rights to an image. After the time frame ends and agreements are met with our clients, we may share the photos with the campus community to use for stock photography.
Planning an editorial photoshoot. Our lead photographer, creative director, or producer will be in touch with us about planning a photoshoot. Before we get out the camera and start to work, it is essential to plan for the big day.
Learn more about the subject. To ensure that we have the correct gear and plan the shoot, we will need as much information as possible before the shoot. We’ll often ask many questions such as: What’s your story? What is the name of the subject or person? What is the tone or mood of the story?
We’ll likely have a conversation about the client’s needs and what they want , depending on the story.
Make a mood board. A mood board is crucial for editorial photoshoots. A mood board keeps everyone on the same page about the end goal and the desired aesthetic. “Mood boards are the best way to communicate your ideas and get what you want.
Get the details. Once we have the mood and aesthetic in place, it is time to move on to the details like securing the appropriate equipment, bringing the right props, and finding the right space.
Post-processing. Editorial photos can’t be considered snapshots. They will often need post-production editing. To enhance your photos and tweak them, we use Adobe Photoshop and or Lightroom. We may have to remove unwanted objects from the background of photos if we are photographing in public spaces, such as street lights or trashcans.
Creative & Digital Services loves editorial images because they allow our photographers to express their creativity while telling a story. Whether it’s a portrait, or conceptual images, weaving narrative into your photography can help add something unique to your photo assets. Learn more about working with our professional photography team to create your next editorial image collection.
