Weeks and weeks passed, and I was starting to lose a little hope. I wanted this internship so badly. But once I got the confirmation, I felt like a new door opened. So many opportunities, but I told myself not to set my hopes too high. I usually try to think of the worst when big things happen, because that way I wouldn’t disappoint myself if the experience is not what I expect. Well, I sure was wrong—and a little bit right.
I definitely did not expect the things I was able to do in this internship. The first few days were a little intimidating, but I had to stay. Working in any kind of magazine or with any photography in the fashion world was something I daydreamed about since I was in high school. If I wanted that, I had to stay. And I am so glad that I did.
The projects I worked on and the resources I couldn’t have accessed elsewhere were unbelievable. When I thought of the word “internship”, I always thought of being bossed around, grabbing coffees, and doing paperwork. But being with PATTERN was way more than that. During my experience, I learned so much from the staff and fellow interns.
The collaboration of such a small group of people can create so many amazing things. As a photography intern, I learned the right ways to communicate with people for planning editorials and shoots. Test shoots were fun because they challenged me to photograph all kinds of people. Editorials were big responsibilities but were also what I enjoyed creating the most. They allowed me to photograph all the ideas I had in my head. The creative freedom of this internship was so refreshing to me.
Before this internship, I was kind of in a creative hole. I was doubting myself as a photographer and creative person. But the wonderful thing the PATTERN internship did was bring me my fellow interns. Most importantly, it brought me new creative friends.
PATTERN was the ladder. Though a lot of us had such different majors and skills, we were able to make such beautiful shoots and concepts with one another, and I cherish that so much. Along with that, it was just a blast to be around these people. There are those days when there is a lot of busy work, but being around the interns was what made that fun. Having that support group during this experience was key. What I got from this internship was so valuable. I’ve gained such a strong portfolio and got some new and amazing creative friends!
