Michael Kinney

Writer/Photojournalist

United States

Growing up in Oklahoma, I was like most young boys in some ways. I had dreams of playing football at the University of Oklahoma and making a career with the Dallas Cowboys. However, once I realized there wouldn’t be too many openings for a 5-foot-8 offensive lineman in the NFL, I had to look for other alternatives.
My search led me to a career in journalism and photography. What started as just a passion for sports reporting turned into more than 20 years of working in all areas of an industry that continues to intrigue me.
Specialties include long-form feature writing and photo essays. Areas that allow me to immerse myself in a subject and tell a story.
Whether I’m covering the OKC Thunder winning the NBA Championship, writing about emerging artists in Oklahoma, detailing war protests in Spain or photographing the organized chaos of the Moroccan street markets, I’m attracted to fascinating storylines that readers will find interesting, thought-provoking and visually stimulating as well.
Go to Michaelkinneymedia.com & MichaelKinney.smugmug.com (photos) for more examples of my work. For inquiries about freelance jobs, I can be reached by email at [email protected].

Portfolio
LUXIERE Magazine
06/19/2025
Strange Magic

Bartees Cox was a three-sport standout in high school, but what he really wanted was the freedom to get away. He eventually got it, by embracing his lifelong love of music. Now a major artist under the name Bartees Strange, he's embracing his identity.

Michael Kinney Media
04/28/2024
NBA writer turns passion project into business venture

Words & Photography By Michael Kinney Darnell Mayberry has never been afraid to change directions when it comes to his career. Whether it was relocating from Ohio back to his home state of Oklahoma to become an NBA beat writer or when he left that same newspaper to join The Athletic, a fledgling digital start-up...

The Journal Record
Open Hedge Archives - The Journal Record

NEW YORK - Tae Ham hadn't been out to enjoy the nightlife of New York City in some time. He became a homebody after the birth of his second child. But on the evening of Aug. 12, Ham found himself relaxing at Mr. Purple, the posh rooftop bar at the Hotel Indigo near the SoHo District.

Michael Kinney Media
08/15/2016
Croatia was nothing like I expected, and that was a good thing

Photo by Michael Kinney By Michael Kinney HVAR, Croatia -- When traveling in Europe, one of the best features about doing so is the accessibility to other countries. While it's a full day heft getting from the United States across the Ocean, once there, you can go almost anywhere that is new and interesting.

Michael Kinney Media
05/20/2018
A look back at the 'Path of destruction'

On May 20th, 2013, one of the strongest tornadoes in the history of the United States rolled through Moore, Oklahoma. I was in the city at the time. The next day I walked across the path of the Tornado talking residents who witnessed the weather event and survived the encounter.