Editorial Photography vs. Commercial Photography
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
12/31/2025
When I began photographing to become a stock photograph photographer, I had to have a clear idea of what I was shooting the photographs for when starting the photo shoot. The goal of D.D.F. Photo's in the 1990's was to be published in a magazine. I Darren Dwayne Frazier had worked as a combat photographer. I shot those photographs as a news photojournalist. I might be told you are nothing more than a G.I. with a camera in his Rupt Sack (Duffle). I had a way to get the photographs to print once back on the base. Five years ago, I was shooting photographs at a Saint Louis University softball game versus Detroit Mercy Titans (Mercy Law School) when an argument, no not an argument a debate was started. The problem posed was "I own my image and likeness." NCAA had recently ruled on the commercialization of college athletes. The debate was introduced as an Intellectual Property infringement. This goes all the way to the students which some are softball players discussing the issue Saint Louis University School of Law versus Detroit Mercy Law School. A Detroit Mercy player said this to me on the second day "it's Ok, but we are not done discussing it yet." Highland Productions LLC's concerns stem from the editorial photographs versus commercial photographs argument. When uploading to digital websites today you have to categorize the photographs as commercial or editorial. Does the photograph tell the story or does it sell an image or a product. "Editorial photography is nor restrained by brand image like commercial photography. Nor does it depend on the unpredictable nature of street photography. Editorial photography allows photographers to use every tool at their disposal to create an image that tells a story." (www.studiobinder.com) As the content curator of Highland Productions LLC and Highland Productions News & Media I place items that are at events, in public, or are not controlled by contract in as editorials if there is a recognizable person, place or item in photographs. This gets to be a very peculiar choice when items photographed at a city, state, of federal park is public domain and acts in the public domain are not protected by a right to privacy or exclusion from editorial publication. The exception to this classification is when the event is within the confines of a licensed closed venue event. When tickets or gated admission is in place the venue is closed to the general public. Commercial photographs require model releases.
Commercial photography is photography for hire or for commercial sale. When a closed venue offers Press Credentials the editor or photographer has to explicitly and implicitly give the intent and purpose of the use of the photographs or videos. Here are a couple examples. A barn on a rural road in a small town does not have the recognition that a Purina Farms barn does used in a nationwide commercial. Tamara Smith and Elisabeth Halliday both wear recognizable helmets. At a Cross-Country Horse event seeing the helmet on the course says Tamara or Elisabeth from a distance. That makes them recognizable in the photograph. Some stock photography agencies do not catalog editorials all images require a model release. Adobe does not catalog editorial photographs were Shutterstock does catalog editorials and as the curator you must classify as editorial or commercial and you as the contributor are responsible for the legal obligation associated with the photograph's classification. Model release are contracts between the model (person), owner of an item or owner of the brand (likeness) and the photographer. This is much like the agreement between the photographer and the event providing media credentials to the press core. "Both editorial style photography and commercial photography are designed to be printed or posted online, both are also designed to engage viewers. Where they differ is in their goals." (www.studiobinder.com)
I have been told that my style of photography is commercial photography. I looked at my work and still thought editorial photography. Whenever, given the chance to photograph always be sure to get a cover shot if they are available. A cover shot may look like a commercial photograph but is engaging the consumer to look inside the cover of the magazine. An editorial of an auto race might have two or more cars to tell the story of the race taking place. The scale or scope of the photograph is used to show the whole story. The photograph of an editorial story is chosen by the editor to engage the consumers eye to tell them to read the story the image is attached to or associated on the printed page. Now uploading to a stock photography agency offers editorials and often viewers do not understand the editorial classification. "Did you realize that was an editorial photograph?" It's a poster I wanted." "I think that's a cover shot." The last thing I will add is have you ever looked for a photograph of an item or an event a few years after the original photographs posted and found no photographs available. It another reason I like posting the editorials for future use. A young student wants to write an article, and no photographs are available is often frustrating. If I had photographs still on display when I am 90 would be very gratifying for me, Highland Productions LLC, and Highland Productions News & Media. That would mean I photographed an item or event that stood the test of time.
Intellectual Property - encompasses intangible assets owned by individuals or companies that are legally safeguard against unauthorized use. These assets, unlike physical or tangible property, arise from human intellect and innovation, such as artwork, inventions, symbols, and brand names.
Editorial Photography is a type of photography that aims to tell a story or portray a concept. Editorial photography is commonly found in magazines, newspapers, editorial features, and journalism. Unlike Commercial Photography, editorial photography relies much more on story than it does on a brand. The motive, therefore, is not to sell but rather express and engage. (www.studiobinder.com)
By Darren Dwayne Frazier
Photograph by Highland Productions LLC