Today is my kids' last day of school this year and they will be unleashed up on me for the summer! So between them and my business, I've got my hands full. But for the last five months, while they've been in school, I've been interning one day a week with an awesome and talented wedding photographer -- Krista Guenin of
Krista Photography. At this point in my life, I didn't expect I'd be back as an intern again, but as I was embarking on this new business venture, I knew that it was exactly what I needed to do.
Back last fall I saw Krista's blog post announcing her search for a studio intern -- Her work is fantastic (she is so great at what she does!) -- and when I realized that her studio was just ten minutes from my house, I knew it was meant to be. So I sent her an email telling her all about where I was with my photography and that I'd love to come and work with her and learn a little something along the way.
So every Wednesday since January, I've been going into Krista's studio -- my tasks varied from uploading wedding photos to her Flickr account to reorganizing her office to filing and even, yes, putting together furniture. But as I worked on those tasks, I'd take mental notes on just about everything else going on and pepper Krista and her assistant CoCo with questions (trying not to be TOO annoying) when they popped into my head. She and CoCo (who I just love and whose name is fun to say) were so great to me, and patiently answered my questions and gave me advice whenever I asked for it.
The bonus was that I had the opportunity to assist Krista at a wedding back in March, and got to see her and CoCo in action. It was great fun. I got to shoot most of the day, and learned a lot about the hard work of wedding photography in those ten hours. (I'll soon post a recap of the day with some of my photos too!)
On top of being a great opportunity to learn, I really think it was a great lesson to my girls. For the life of them, they could not understand why I would want to work for free for anyone. Grace even went so far as to say she told her friends at school about it -- incredulous that I would do such a thing! But I explained to them that this was surely the best way to learn. I may not have been paid in dollars, but I was paid in knowledge! Like free school! I'm still not sure they get it, but I know they'll understand in a few years.
Meanwhile, I did learn a TON. In addition to answering all my questions, CoCo walked me through her culling and editing process, and Krista spent an entire morning going through my portfolio and website with me. She also walked me through my images from the March wedding and gave me a wealth of tips and advice. It was great.
But now, as summer is upon us, duty calls, and I'm responsible for entertaining and caring for two not-so-small people for the next couple of months. So last Wednesday was my last day with Krista and CoCo. We went to Five Guys for lunch, and I insisted on paying. Krista reminded me that I had been working for free and that she should buy lunch, but the truth is, what I learned over the last few months was invaluable to me. So buying her a burger and fries was the least I could do. : )
Thanks again to Krista & CoCo for a fun and truly rewarding experience!
Meanwhile, it feels weird to have a blog post without photos, so here's one that just says summer to me...
