EMILY KESTEL

Much like many other journalists, I often get the question, "Why do you do what you do?" and to be completely honest, I'm still crafting the perfect answer. Maybe it's because I believe in the power of a story and its potential to change the world. Maybe it's because I love living vicariously through other people. Maybe it's because I love taking real life and capturing it into something that people can look at and refer to for the rest of their lives. 

I truly don't know. 

But here are some things that I do know and that you should know about me, too: 

• I'm a visual storyteller by nature. My strengths lie in photo and video, but if it takes a 3,000-word article to tell someone's story, I can hammer it out — see examples here and here. I’m always up for a challenge.

• My midwest upbringing (particularly in the city of Des Moines, Iowa) has taught me to be a good person before being a good journalist. My philosophy is to listen first and document second.

• Growing up in Iowa has also molded me into someone who longs for the mountains and ocean. (Unfortunately seas of corn and soybeans don't satisfy my wanderlust). I love to travel, especially if it involves exploring national or state parks.

• I graduated from Iowa State University in the spring of 2018, where I majored in journalism and mass communication.

• I love to read. Especially while lounging in a hammock.

• I am an extremely curious person. I eat an ungodly amount of M&Ms every week. I go barefoot whenever possible. I absolutely will brake for a good sunset.

Publications: Buzzfeed, The 19th*, Lincoln Journal Star, Des Moines Register, Business Record, dsm Magazine, Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting, Iowa State Daily, Marshalltown Times-Republican, Carroll Daily Times Herald, Guthrie Center Times, Ethos Magazine, Greenlee Glimpse

Send me an email anytime at emily.blobaum@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. See my resume here.