A formulation of quantum electrodynamics suitable for high‐Z few‐electron atoms is described. Interaction of the bound electrons with the radiation field is treated as a perturbation that results in electron‐electron interactions and radiative corrections. The leading corrections are written as Fock space operators that can be evaluated in states with any number of electrons. The extension of this approach to include higher‐order corrections is discussed. The special cases of one‐ and two‐electron atoms are examined in detail.