What. A. Year.
Between switching majors, going to school full-time at UCF, working part-time and being a part of the KWP team, I cannot believe that 2017 is over. I have learned so much in these past six months as an intern – not just about photography but marketing, planning, and designing as well! Kristen did a great job matching our personalities. I honestly could not have asked for a better group of people to work, laugh, (and stress about styled shoots) with.
I remember applying for the internship in early August. When I got the email about interviewing I couldn’t hide my excitement. I immediately ran across the living room of our sorority house (it was recruitment week) to tell my best friends. During the interview we sat on the couch in Kristen’s office for over an hour talking about everything from TV shows to life lessons. I felt so comfortable. But I was so ready to dive into something completely different than anything I had done before.
I’ve always been fascinated by weddings and photography. Having the opportunity to experience everything first-hand with Kristen and Lacey was a dream come true. I felt like a kid in a candy shop getting to assist Lacey and Gabe (photographers for the KWP sister-brand, Eleanor & Pete) with Reema and Jonathan’s Indian-American wedding. It was amazing to see the photos after getting to experience the whole night personally. I loved every second of holding Lacey’s camera bag, running through the rain and trying to stage things so they didn’t look soaking wet on camera.
One of my favorite memories of the semester has to be going to the new cookie dough shop in Celebration after a styled shoot. We had a long day with back-to-back shoots but managed to carve out time to wander the streets of Celebration – and we even made Gabby try her first macaron. We worked hard but always made time for good food (which I appreciate so much lol).
With all the laughs and fun times there were also a few times this past semester that I thought my head was going to explode (just ask Kristen). Being in charge of a styled shoot was absolutely crazy! I loved every second of releasing my creativity and bouncing ideas off of the team. Makayla and I had a LOT of decisions to make. Although there were a few bumps in the road, I’d say we worked incredibly well together. I honestly only made it through the last few weeks because of her encouragement and a much-needed beer and cheese fries break at Ale House.
Nothing has given me more joy than seeing our styled shoot come together. All of the stress was completely worth it. Walking around on the day of felt like a dream. It was surreal to think of how much our vision had evolved since setting up Pinterest boards during our first meeting in August.
I’m incredibly sad that it’s over, but so happy that I went out on a limb and decided to apply. I wouldn’t trade my experience as a piglet for the world.
