Photojournalist visits journalism class

Caroline Fellows
Contributing Writer

Career photojournalist Krista Kennell shows some of her equipment to journalism students on Aug. 12. (Photo by Abby Botan)
Career photojournalist Krista Kennell shows some of her equipment to journalism students on Aug. 12. (Photo by Abby Botan)

When eight-year-old Krista Kennell was first-handed a camera, she knew what her dream job was. Years later, she is an internationally celebrated photojournalist, and she shared her experiences with the journalism class on Aug. 12.

Kennell was born in Des Moines, Ia, and grew up in Bloomington, Ill. After high school, during which she was part of the newspaper and yearbook, Kennell went on study journalism at Mizzou. Since then she has documented numerous events and has become a world- renowned photographer.

Kennell has covered several horrific stories including the Yarnell Hill wildifire in Prescott, Az. where 19 firefighters died, the most since 9/11. Kennell took a picture of a grieving widow then which went everywhere around the country, and her fame climbed higher. Kennell has driven through fires and gotten things thrown at her, and some of her closest friends have died.

However, Kennell has also photographed many famous people including Lindsay Lohan, Katy Perry and One Direction. She was also recognized by the City of Prescott in Arizona for her work on the Yarnell Hill wildfire.

“They honored me and I almost cried,” she said. Kennell has probably seen the best—and worst—of her job, and she wouldn’t change it for the world.

 

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