No matter how big the stage—whether it’s the Super Bowl or the Olympics—Kenton Barber lives to move the television camera in a way that connects audiences to high-stakes live action. Barber, an Emmy-award winning camera operator, will be presented with a 2024 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Outstanding Young Alumni Award on Homecoming weekend this fall.
Kenton Barber executes award-winning camera work for high-profile live events, including college and pro football, golf and the Olympics.
Barber ‘17, a radio TV film major who grew up in Ripon, loved being the one behind the camera, even as a kid.
“From a young age, I had a passion for video production,” said Barber, who now lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife Gabrielle Barber and their corgi named Cheddar. “This would include 8-year-old me running around our house with the family Handycam shooting everything I could — from making my younger brothers be part of my ‘TV show’ that would later be shown at family functions to interviewing all my family and friends.”
He was in middle school when he asked his dad to help him build a jib from PVC pipes and transform a tripod into a dolly with casters. This DIY spirit marked the beginning of what would become a successful career as a freelance Steadicam owner/operator with major clients including FOX Sports, NBC Sports and CBS Sports. His work has been featured in multiple Super Bowls, The Olympics on NBC, Golf Channel and ESPN.
In 2022, he won an Emmy for “Outstanding Technical Team Studio” for his contributions to Super Bowl LVI pregame show.
Beth Hubbard, chair of the Department of radio TV film at UW Oshkosh, praises Barber’s dedication to the fine craft of camera work.
“His expertise ensures that every action, from a Green Bay Packers touchdown to an Olympic sprint,” she said, “is captured with crystal clarity—the last thing any viewer wants is a pivotal moment blurred or missed entirely.”
Kenton Barber, whose work is viewed worldwide, won an Emmy in 2022 for his work at Super Bowl LVI.
Before Barber came to UW Oshkosh, he was already immersed in video production with a local cable access station. He even convinced the station to invest in a small Steadicam capable of supporting cameras of up to 10 pounds. Using that gear, Barber covered high school football, by running up and down the sidelines, giving viewers an on-the -field view of the action. This early experience laid the groundwork for his future career.
At UWO, Barber learned to juggle his schoolwork, his freelance work and a full-time job at a Green Bay news station.
“To say that I never had free time is an understatement,” he said.
After graduating from UWO, Barber went to Los Angeles for formal Steadicam training. He also landed a stint in Orlando, Florida, where he was the lead daily Steadicam operator for NBC Golf Channel’s Golf Central primetime show.
Despite his full plate as a network freelance Steadicam/camera operator, Barber continues to give his time to current UW Oshkosh RTF students, holding workshops, demonstrating his Steadicam gear and offering valuable career advice.
“I like to do classroom demonstrations for students in AV (audiovisual) classes or those that have an interest in TV and film,” Barber said. “I really enjoy sparking interest in the arts for the younger generations.”
Kenton Barber and his wife, Gabrielle, reside in Los Angeles and enjoy spending time with their corgi dog named Cheddar.
Barber is grateful for his instructors and the hands-on education he received at UWO.
“They created a supportive system that helped me thrive,” he said. “The professors in the RTF department want to see their students succeed. The TV and film industry can be really competitive, and to have somebody on your side, willing to help, is something that I feel is rare but really needed.”
Andrew Smock, one of Barber’s former RTF professors, is buoyed by Barber’s praise for the program.
“I had the privilege of having him in class and witnessing his development as a future media professional,” Smock said, adding that he is proud of Barber’s work that has been viewed by many worldwide.
“He’s been integral to the production of media experiences that bring people together, creating shared cultural experiences for millions of viewers,” Smock said. “The quality of his work has been acknowledged by the media industry, with six Emmy nominations (he currently has several more) and one win. I anticipate more Emmys are in his future.”
The UW Oshkosh Alumni Association will celebrate the talents and successes of 13 alumni during Homecoming weekend Oct. 18-19. There are four receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award, two recognized with Outstanding Service Awards and seven, including Barber, being honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Learn more:
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