Based in Lansing, MI - Available for freelance and willing to travel

One of my favorite pieces of advice from a professor, and coincidentally O.A.R. (the rock band), is to turn the car around. Oftentimes when looking for features or going about my day, something strikes my curiosity. Instead of passing by and missing a potential moment, I circle back and pull over.

Following this motto, I've met Pat, a metal worker, and his feline friend Eight Ball (“[He's] hard to corner and black”). Stopping for ducks meandering in a yard resulted in meeting Spencer's family of six and the extended brood of many ducks, chickens, and other fowl. Collecting my thoughts in a cemetery led to a rambunctious group of kids and their hardworking mother and father making ends meet after his open-heart surgery.

The power of human connection from these interactions helps me as a person and as a photographer. I am grateful to see a slice of someone's life and hear their story.

Photojournalism is a way to discover and visualize what is important to ourselves and the people we have the privilege to cover. I am thankful to be a part of this industry.   

In addition to photography, I have experience with graphic design, infographics, animation, newsletters, and social media content creation and management.

Photo courtesy of Erin Lubin

Contact at barkera1724@gmail.com // (517)-515-1433

Resume

  • EVERETT HERALD: Staff Photographer  — Everett, WA
  • BOYD'S STATION PROJECT 306.36: Grant Recipient —Harrison County, KY
  • DETROIT FREE PRESS: Photo Intern — Detroit, MI
  • MLIVE: GRAND RAPIDS PRESS: Photo Intern — Grand Rapids, MI
  • BLOOMBERG MAYORS CHALLENGE: Photographer — Lansing, MI
  • DESERET NEWS: Photo Intern — Salt Lake City, UT
  • STATE NEWS: Photographer & Editor — East Lansing, MI

Workshops 

  • Santa Fe Workshops 2024 
  • Sarah Leen Workshop 2024 
  • EAW XXXVI 
  • MPW 2023 Sedalia 
  • CatchLight Visual Storytelling Summit Portfolio Review 2023

Awards

  • Highly Commended: Ian Parry photojournalism grant 2024 
  • Kurt Markus Photo Scholarship: Santa Fe Workshops 2024
  • 2nd Place Photo Essay: SPJ NW Excellence in Journalism 2024
  • 1st Place Photo I: Hearst Journalism Awards Program 2023
  • Championship Finalist and Best Portfolio from Semi-Finals: Hearst Journalism Awards Program 2023
  • 1st Place College Photographer of the Year: Michigan Press Photographers Association’s Contest 2023
  • 1st Place Best College Photographer: Division 2 of the Michigan Press Association’s College Newspaper Contest 2020

Recent Freelance:

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