Bowtie Media - Freelance Event Videographer / Social Content Creator

Videographer is needed in Chicago, United States.

Client: Bowtie Media

Location: Chicago, IL

Contract: Freelance

Job Description

Bowtie is seeking a Chicago-based freelance videographer and social content creator to capture social-first content during Design Chicago at THE MART on September 23–24, 2026. The assignment will focus on a luxury kitchen and appliance showroom, featuring an interactive culinary event, showroom activity, and engagements with designers, dealers, media, and guests. The role emphasizes capturing candid and timely social content primarily for Instagram Reels and Stories.

Requirements

• Responsibilities:
• Capture high-quality vertical 9:16 video
• Film showroom activity, guest arrivals and natural interactions
• Capture appliances, food and beverages in use
• Record short interviews with chefs, designers, brand representatives and guests
• Capture complete product demonstrations and interaction sequences
• Record clean audio in a busy event environment
• Capture event signage, environmental details, and establishing footage
• Identify meaningful social moments without continuous direction
• Coordinate professionally with photographers, event staff, and brand representatives
• Provide priority clips during the event or by the following morning
• Deliver clearly organized raw footage within the agreed timeline
• Follow brand guidelines, event restrictions, and approval requirements
• Qualifications:
• Demonstrated experience capturing live events
• A strong portfolio of vertical social content
• Experience with luxury brands, interiors, architecture, hospitality, food, or design events is preferred
• Ability to record clean interview audio
• Confidence directing brief, conversational interviews
• Strong visual judgment and attention to detail
• Ability to work discreetly in an active showroom
• Reliable communication and file management
• Ability to work independently from a creative brief and shot list
• Must provide your own equipment
• Equipment:
• Professional camera or high-quality mobile capture system
• Stabilizer or gimbal
• Wireless microphones
• Compact lighting when needed
• Spare batteries and recording media
• A reliable file-backup process
• Deliverables:
• Organized raw vertical footage
• Same-day priority selects
• Next-morning selects
• Short interviews and soundbites
• Candid event photography
• Edited vertical videos or Reels

Compensation and Application

Pay ranges from $50 to $85 per hour, depending on experience, equipment, and turnaround capabilities. A minimum of four hours may apply, and applicants should provide hourly, half-day, and full-day rates. Please include relevant work samples, availability, location, rates, turnaround time, camera equipment list, liability insurance status, and contact number in your application.

Additional Information

The selected creator must be comfortable providing negotiated usage rights to Bowtie, the client, and participating brands. They may be required to sign an independent contractor agreement, confidentiality terms, and event-specific releases. Any paid-media usage will be discussed separately.

Benefits include a flexible schedule.

Work location is in person in Chicago, IL.