10 Lessons I Learned as a Photo Intern
by Jenna K Walters
Prompts and Posing
During my internship as a photo intern working for Amanda, I learned the key differences between prompts and poses. Using prompts is a fun way to get natural looking photos, as well as creating a memorable experience for the couple. This can include asking your couple to practice their first dance or each say three things they love about the other.
Wedding Photography
Attending weddings with Amanda this summer during my internship has allowed me to gain an incredible amount of experience. I have learned what a wedding day consists of for a photographer and how important it is to have a plan and be organized. Being a wedding photographer entails much more than simply booking a wedding, attending it, and taking pictures; it involves getting to know the couple personally, having a schedule for the wedding day so that you can be where you need to be, as well as having the technical knowledge needed to deal with different lighting situations.
Making Connections
Cake by: Shannon Murphy Custom Cakes
Making connections as a wedding photographer and a photographer in general is extremely important! When at weddings, you have the opportunity to meet different vendors and connect. Connecting with a vendor can lead to referrals from them and referrals for them, mutually benefiting both parties. Sometimes, vendors you meet at one wedding will be at another and you’re able to work together again!
On top of connecting with others at weddings, reaching out to other creatives online is another great way to build relationships. This could lead to collaborations and new learning opportunities!
The Client Experience
Your client experience should start as soon as you say hello! Throughout my experience as an intern for Amanda, I’ve gotten to witness her client experience in action. Whether that be going above and beyond for clients by putting together mood boards for photo locations, having a wedding experience document highlighting all of the important things you would want to know for your wedding, or by simply creating a welcoming environment when doing a photo session.
If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like working with Amanda, visit her experience page.
Portfolio Building
When starting my internship, one of the main things I was hoping to get out of it was building my portfolio. It’s been an incredible experience being able to assist at weddings and engagement shoots, such as the ones above. As a photography student currently saving up for a better camera, having Amanda allow me to use one of her cameras during shoots was extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. I have been able to use the photos I have taken at these shoots to grow my own business and develop my couples portfolio. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. 🙂
Creating an Inclusive Environment
One of the first things I learned during my internship was how important it is to create an inclusive environment, especially as a couples photographer. Making sure all couples feel welcome and comfortable should certainly be a top priority. During one of my first days, Amanda taught me about inclusive language and went over wording that could possibly be seen as offensive. Her inclusivity practice is certainly something I want to carry over into my own business!
Blogging and SEO
Blogging and learning about SEO (search engine optimization) has been a major part of my internship, something that I worked on remotely throughout the weeks with Amanda’s guidance. Before I started working for Amanda, I knew nothing about blogging and SEO. Throughout this experience, I’ve learned how important it is to keep your business current and help direct traffic towards your site. It is definitely a skill I wouldn’t have learned otherwise, but one that is incredibly valuable to know.
Check out some of the more recent blogs I had the pleasure of working on!
Aga Khan Wedding Pictures
The Vue and Clubhouse Wedding
Instagram Tips and Tricks
Another important thing covered during my internship has been Instagram and how to get the most out of it as a photographer. I have learned that singular posts do not often do as well anymore, and that reels and carousels are the way to go to reach a bigger audience. Amanda has also shown me multiple different accounts to help grow my business that serve as helpful resources.
Check out Amanda’s Instagram to look at some of her iconic reels!
Pricing and Bookkeeping
A big thing I wanted to learn from Amanda was how she prices her services and manages her books. As a photographer just starting out, knowing what you’re worth and figuring out what to charge can be quite nerve-racking. Developing an initial pricing guide to have when you first start charging clients will allow you to keep building upon it over time as you gain more experience and confidence.
Going into my internship, I had some prior knowledge of QuickBooks, an accounting software, and Amanda really expanded on that for me and showed me the ins and outs of her business. It truly makes all the difference visually seeing how one manages their books versus learning about it individually. On top of this, I learned about the differences of being a sole proprietor and having a corporation.
Balancing Work Life and Personal Life
Last but not least, I have gained knowledge of how to effectively balance my work life and personal life. Everyone experiences burnouts, but what’s important is what you take from it when you do. Knowing your limit is extremely important and can effect how you run your business.
If you’re interested in working with Amanda, apply today!
