“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our days of being called an Intern for LeahAndMark are numbered now as we have about a month left.
What I have learned over the past two months is that mainly, I didn’t know as much as I thought I did.
I no longer have a normal sleeping pattern or a concept of time. Instead all I really know if it’s day or night and sometimes I think I know what day of the week it is.
I have had many opportunities to really get to know my camera- sometimes to the point where my hand actually started cramping from shooting so much in one day.
What the Internship has taught me
When I applied and anxiously awaited for my acceptance to the internship it was a week filled with excitement and fear. I was thrilled that I got in and then immediately scared that I would be eaten alive by the talented people I was about to be shooting with. I only had my camera for 4 months and I had hardly any photos in my portfolio with people in them.
What was our very first shoot? Models. Let’s just say I had a rough time.
Since that day in the river I have had so much thrown at me I don’t even know where to begin.
I have learned that when in doubt you should Ask. If you don’t get the response you are looking for. Ask again. If still no response ask a +.
I have learned that composition is a big deal & not to mistake the rule of thirds for the rule of fourths ( have I mentioned I’m bad at math..)
I have learned SO much about people. How to pose them, how to direct them, how to make them comfortable.
I have learned that I am in control of the photos I make. Which means I am also in control of what goes into the frame when I take the picture.
That you should shoot more and shoot fast ..and then when you think you have that down, shoot even faster .
I’ve learned to always be different. Get different shots. Don’t limit yourself.
That you should make sure your car is in Drive before you hit the gas…
I also found that even more than I thought I just really enjoy meeting and talking to new people and getting to know them.
I really love being a photographer and everything that comes with it.
Things I haven’t learned
For me I guess this is where the internship is different. I went into this experience thinking ANYTHING I learn would be great. I didn’t really have a set agenda of things I wanted to get out of it. So I guess I will write about things future interns should know before applying.
Always have your batteries charged and format your memory cards before a shoot.
Mark doesn’t really ever give anyone his full attention especially when he is busy. He doesn’t hate you. He just probably forgot you were there… (see Intern Night)
He also has something against air conditioning. BRING WATER!
You will have to set up your own shoots and get your own models. Don’t wait until you are instructed to do this.
If you don’t like coffee, learn to Love it.
If you want to be critiqued make sure you can handle it. No one is going to sugarcoat anything.
LeahAndMark is not a one man show. All of the +’s knowledge and skill is just as important as Marks. They are very valuable, fun, and talented people to work with.
The best equipment in the world doesn’t automatically make you the best photographer in the world.
Most of all have A LOT of patience.
My plans for the last month
For the duration of the internship I am looking forward to doing more client portrait shoots. The majority of my shoots have been events so it will be good to be involved with the smaller portrait sessions. It will also be nice to work in a setting with some light. About 60% of the time I have been in a very low light setting. Great practice, but can be really difficult at times. I’m also going to be working with the +’s and my fellow interns more so that I can get different perspectives and learn alternate methods of shooting.
I have to say that this experience has really opened my eyes to the amount of effort that REALLY goes into photography. I have had the opportunity to work alongside some very talented people who all bring something unique to the table. I am grateful for all of the encouragement, honesty, laughter, and feedback I have received from Everyone this season.
The best is yet to come.
Intern militia! I love it!
You know, I love the sort of blogs where people are drawn to admit that there have been failures and difficulties. I think in a group like this, it is comforting to know that you aren't the only one. I think at a certain point it makes people more approachable as well. It's hard to admit failings, but I try not to think of them as failings - just things one realizes they need to work around or through. I'm constantly amazed by people in this internship - there are so many that just picked up their cameras months before we started. So many people were probably in the same boat and wanted to apply, but didn't saying, "Oh, I'll get a better handle on this and I'll apply next time." I like the brazen quality of the people that didn't do that.