I can’t believe that it’s already come time for me to write my last blog for KWP. My time here has been anything but ordinary beginning with the application process. Originally, with COVID being such an issue, Kristen was wanting to cancel this year’s internship program. When I tell you I cried… I CRIED! The entire year before I had been padding my resume and trying to get her and her team to notice me on social media. That way, when it came time to apply, my face would be familiar. After a couple of weeks, she opened applications for just a few days, but I was more than ready.
Being one of Kristen’s interns has been one of the most enjoyable and exciting experiences of my life. I’ve gotten to dive into not only the world of photography but styling, marketing, finance, and everything in between. I admire Kristen for all that she puts into making her business a success. I can’t imagine having learned better from anyone else.
The Kittens
It was only fitting that Yuli, Tori, and I named our group “the kittens.” I don’t remember who quoted Tiger King the first time we all met but between that, our first conversation being about our pets and discovering the office cat who hid under the couch, it was meant to be. Although our schedules turned out to be the complete opposite and we didn’t get to see each other much, these girls were some of the kindest and most supportive people I’ve ever met. I can already see how much we’ve all changed over the course of this internship, and I can’t wait to see them blossom even further!
Studio Intern Work
To be completely honest, before Kristen’s internship I never had much interest in photography. When applying, I was looking to gain more experience on the marketing side of the industry. Little did I know that, while I still can’t take a photo or fold a reflector to save my life, I would fall in love with the styling and planning aspect of photography.
In addition to weddings, Kristen also does a lot of studio work. I absolutely LOVED helping with studio shoots, from building a model’s portfolio to pageant headshots to Christmas minis. I learned how to prepare for these shoots, how to set up the backdrops and lighting, and how to set up the camera in order to give Kristen the best circumstances to capture the perfect pictures. It was so crazy to me how much work actually goes into a successful session but I’ve definitely found a new appreciation for it.
Wedding Internship Experience
One of the required tasks to complete the internship was to assist at one of Kristen’s weddings. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to work with Kristen specifically due to scheduling. Instead, I got to shadow Stephanie, one of her photographers for the KWP Masters brand! I’m not a huge wedding person, but as someone who loves to know what’s going on behind the scenes, it was so cool to experience it from a different perspective! It was so fun being a part of a couple’s big day while still working from the shadows. I think my favorite part had to have been helping with setting up the flat lay shots and capturing all the most intimate details of their wedding day.
Internship Final Project
One of the first things that Kristen talked to us about was our final project for the internship. This was to be a styled wedding shoot we had to build and execute from the ground up. Because my vision was so different than the other interns, Yuli + Tori paired up and I worked on my own. This was one of the most stressful yet satisfying projects that I’ve ever had the opportunity to be a part of. From starting off with one idea to doing a complete 360 halfway through the planning process to postponing and my models getting COVID just a few days before the shoot, it was definitely an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.
I loved being able to bring my vision to life by collaborating with local vendors. This was especially difficult with the pandemic, but everything turned out better than I could’ve imagined. Having to collaborate, really allowed me to look into different professions and create new connections within the industry. To see more, take a look at my other post An Elopement in Downtown Orlando: Three Words; Eight Letters at The Balcony Orlando.
This was the most rewarding six months of my life despite the challenges put in our path. Thank you Kristen for everything!
