Textbooks define editorial photography as interpreting the facts of a magazine article in a creative way. For me, having photographed characters from all walks of Sydney and Australian life, it is all about telling stories. Editorial imagery should engage viewers. The pictures accompanying an article or feature need to trigger the imagination, prompt the audience to imagine how the story unfolds and literally draw them into reading it.

Every shoot is an opportunity to find a new idea or unique way of expressing a storyline or subject’s character.

Editorial photography requires flexibility and good communication skills in order to get the best from people who may not be accustomed to being in front of the camera. There’s no such thing as ‘just another business man in a suit’. I get enthusiastic about every new project I am commissioned on. Every shoot is an opportunity to find a new idea or unique way of expressing a storyline or subject’s character.

When the story covers a location or travel destination, maintaining a link between the photo story and the written word is paramount, regardless of what comes first. This is where the relationship with, and an understanding of the writer's approach plays a pivotal role. I am finding now much of my work is used across both print and online media. In the case of online publications, with their increased use of multimedia, it's now not uncommon for me also to be capturing sound and video images while on an editorial assignment.

Sometimes I’m given the freedom to interpret a story and subject in the way I see fit, but more often than not I work to a strict creative brief, layout and turnaround time. Nurturing great relationships with editors is all-important. All those I work with know I am someone they can count on to produce a great photo without fail and reinforce the publication’s editorial values, no matter what I’m up against. A recent assignment for the Wall Street Journal started as a 7.30pm brief from Hong Kong and resulted in a ferry trip up the Hawkesbury River at 6.00am the following morning. Obviously, being flexible is what counts when it comes to meeting strict editorial deadlines.