My name is Natalie VanDerWal, and I am a 2025 graduate of the University of North Texas with a BA in journalism and a minor in peace studies. I have been a journalist for nine years, and my hands-on, skills-focused education at UNT gave me extensive experience in story pitching, copywriting, photography, videography, interviewing and reporting. My skills also include live online news reporting, long-form, opinion and feature journalism, and photo, video and copy editing. UNT’s Mayborn School of Journalism is nationally accredited by ACEJMC (Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication). During my time at the Mayborn, I served as a Mayborn Student Ambassador and a CLASS Journalism Ambassador.
I am passionate about capturing the beauty of nature and the human experience through photography and writing. I aspire to tell the hard-hitting, intimate and emotional stories that deserve to be told. My eye for detail—whether capturing a person, place or story—allows me to bring a thoughtful perspective and a strong, compelling visual aspect to my work.
I have editorial experience with leading Dallas-Fort Worth publications, including The Dallas Morning News, D Magazine, the Denton Record-Chronicle, KERA and the North Texas Daily. I currently freelance as a reporter and photographer for The Dallas Morning News’ Abode section, with several stories published online and in print. I have also independently reported several stories for the North Texas Daily and collaborated with its staff on two pieces covering issues at UNT. In November 2024, I worked with the Denton Record-Chronicle and KERA to cover Election Day from a Denton County polling location. From May to August 2025, I worked as an Administrative & D CEO Editorial Intern at D Magazine, gaining valuable insight into the operations of a highly successful publication in one of the nation’s top media markets.
I am excited to continue my career in journalism and am open to freelance work, commissions and staff positions. In addition to my editorial experience, I bring extensive management experience from my work as an Operations & Hiring Manager for a multi-location dry-cleaning business in Frisco. I’m eager to bring my skills, curiosity and perspective to new opportunities and meaningful stories.
Please feel free to reach out to me via email (nataliemvanderwal@gmail.com), on Instagram (@natalievanderwal.photo) or through the Contact form on my site!