Visual storytellers needed: Flint Beat is looking for photographers, videographers
Local hip-hop artist Katalina, who is 8 years old, opens for Jeff Skigh while Rayna Bauer takes a video and cheers her on during Carriage Town PorchFest in Flint, Mich. on Friday, July 15, 2022.
FLINT, Mich. — Flint Beat is seeking freelance photographers and videographers to help visually document life in Flint and Genesee County. This role is ideal for visual storytellers who understand community, can work independently in the field, and are committed to accurate, ethical, and respectful coverage.
About Flint Beat
Flint Beat is an award-winning independent newsroom focused on reporting that informs, impacts, empowers, reflects, and serves Flint residents. Our visual journalism captures the people, places, and moments that shape the city across arts, neighborhoods, community issues, and local events.
Flint resident and longtime friend of the late Flint City Councilman Eric Mays speaks during Mays’ funeral at the House of Prayer Missionary Church in Flint, Michigan on Friday, March 22, 2024. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat) 
Flint Community Schools teachers file into Accelerated Learning Academy to protest for better wages during the Flint Community Schools Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat) 
Dr. Quincy Dobbs walks among the dozens of pipes and instruments that together produce the variety of sounds for his theatre organ in an annex above the MacArthur Recital Hall at the Flint Institute of Music on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat) 
Egypt Otis, the owner of Comma Bookstore & Social Hub, poses for a portrait in her downtown Flint shop on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat) 
Dan Spaniola, owner of Paul’s Pipe Shop, packs up tobacco in his downtown Flint shop on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat) 
Flint City Council member Jerri Winfrey-Carter speaks during a Flint City Council meeting at Flint City Hall on Monday, March 13, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat) 
Patrick Knight takes one of his bikes for a spin in downtown Flint, Mich. on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat) 
A beach ball passes in front of Flint resident Ximena Kohn’s face during Latin Night at The Loft in downtown Flint, Mich. on April 27, 2022. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat) 
The Kuungana African Drum and Dance Company lead the Juneteenth motorcade from Max Brandon Park to downtown Flint, Mich. on June 19, 2022. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat) 
Buffie Johnson, 29, of Flint, lines up a shot during a game of pool at Rubes bar on April 7, 2022. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat) 
Flint resident Annette Reynolds has been hearing a mysterious ‘boom’ sound in her Third Ward neighborhood on occasion over the last two years. She on her front porch on May 25, 2022, a day after she heard the sound once again. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat) 
Flint-based rapper Louie Ray performs at the Sound of Flint South by Southwest showcase at Vaquero Taquero in Austin, Texas on March 17, 2022. More than 20 Flint-area performing artists took to the stage which was put on by the Flint, Mich. Antidote Studio. (KT Kanazawich | Antidote Studio) 
Jason Bey, Flint resident and My Bees Nest owner shows his gloves, coated in residue from beekeeping, on Feb. 28, 2022, Bey went out to the vacant lot next to his house where he keeps his apiary, to look at the remaining honey. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat) 
Players face off across the board during IATC Chess Club’s weekly session on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat) 
Alex and Natalie Kadie, co-owners of Eight Ten Nail Bar in downtown Flint, stand outside their salon on June 20, 2025. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat) 
A graduate sits in the audience at Flint Community Schools’ commencement on June 3, 2025, wearing a mortarboard adorned with a personal message reflecting their journey. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat) 
Protesters peacefully protesting for Rayvon Shahid, a 17-year-old Flint teen who was shot and killed by the Michigan State Police on Nov. 2, 2024, gathered at the Michigan State Police Post in Flint Township, Mich. asking for justice on Nov. 9. (Flint Beat | Joshua Johnson) 
Mayor of Flint Sheldon Neeley speaks at the State of the City address held at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Flint, Mich. on November 12, 2024. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat) 
Racers pose with medals they won at the 47th annual HAP Crim Festival of Races in downtown Flint, Mich. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat) 
Teddy bear racers line up the starting line during the 47th annual HAP Crim Festival of Races in downtown Flint, Michigan on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat) 
A woman pictured at the 14th annual Flint Pride Festival in Riverbank Park on June 29, 2024. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat) 
Flint Roller Derby competes against the Downriver Dolls at Rollhaven in Grand Blanc, Mich. on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat)
What You’ll Cover
Freelancers may be assigned or pitch visual coverage, including:
- Community events and public gatherings
- Arts, culture, and live performances
- Neighborhood stories and community organizations
- Portraits and environmental photography
- Short-form and documentary-style video
Responsibilities
- Pitch or accept photo and video assignments
- Capture high-quality images and/or video in the field
- Meet deadlines for same-day, next-day, or scheduled coverage
- Deliver edited, publication-ready files
- Follow Flint Beat’s visual standards, ethics, and attribution guidelines
- Communicate clearly with editors before and after assignments
Preferred Qualifications
- Photography and/or videography experience (professional, freelance, student, or community-based)
- Strong visual storytelling skills
- Familiarity with Flint and Genesee County
- Ability to work independently and in fast-paced environments
- Experience with photo editing and/or video editing software
- Access to your own camera gear
Drone certification, audio skills, or multimedia experience are a plus but not required.
Compensation
- Paid per assignment
- Rates discussed in advance and based on scope, turnaround time, and usage
How to Apply
Please submit:
- A brief introduction
- A link to your portfolio or work samples
- Your primary focus (photography, video, or both)
Send materials to editor@flintbeat.com with the subject line: Freelance Photographer/Videographer – Flint Beat.
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