As this semester comes to a close, my first internship has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college journey so far. From day one, I was welcomed into a fast-paced, creative environment where I got to dive into real projects, make so many connections, and grow in ways I didn’t expect. Between juggling multiple events, contributing to the agency discussions, and learning to balance responsibilities, I’ve gained skills I know I’ll carry with me for years to come.

It’s not over yet! I’m incredibly excited to share that I’ll continue with the agency in a new role next semester. Even this summer, I’ll be covering the videography/photography for the Stetson University study abroad program in Innsbruck, Austria. This is an incredible opportunity to combine my creativity with classroom experiences in a different country to showcase what it’s all about, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

I’ve already scheduled my first meeting with the head of the program to discuss the details. From capturing moments abroad to telling stories through my camera, I look forward to expanding my portfolio and perspective.

Here’s to a semester filled with growth and a summer full of new adventures!

As the school year wraps up, it’s time to celebrate all the graduating students. This semester, our student agency wanted to try something new. One of the students suggested creating a video in which the graduating seniors can sign our agency’s camera, which will then be played on the screen at graduation for everyone to see. This is a fun way to add something a bit personal to their graduation.

To start this, we wanted to be in a public space to attract as much attention as possible. We decided to set up a table in front of the CUB. We gathered our supplies: a camera, a transparent sheet of plexiglass to cover the camera, and markers. It was a huge hit! We had a bunch of seniors show up, and they were excited to leave their mark – literally.

But we didn’t want to stop there. To reach even more students, we brought the setup to an event where we knew seniors would be gathering: the senior toast, hosted by President Roellke at his home. Another member of our agency and I headed over with the camera, plexiglass, and markers in hand. We set up in a section of the yard, and once again, it was a huge success. Nearly 100 students came by to sign, and share the moment.

Our agency can’t wait to see how these will turn out!

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to photograph the senior art showcase for students majoring in digital and studio art. As someone who’s also majoring in digital arts, it was an incredible experience to witness the final projects of students who are just one year ahead of me.

Walking through the space, I was surrounded by such a wide range of creativity. From digital pieces and mixed media to paintings and sculptures, every work had so much personality and passion behind it. You could tell how much time and heart each artist poured into their final pieces, celebrating their journey.

What really stood out to me were the people. The room was full of students, faculty, friends, and family, all there to support and celebrate. As I moved around capturing photos, I noticed how many people were genuinely moved by what they were seeing.

For me, it wasn’t just about documenting the event. It was a glimpse into where I’ll be in a year, and it gave me a whole new wave of motivation. Seeing what these seniors accomplished reminded me why I love this field and what I have to look forward to.

This Wednesday, with our agency meeting, is a time for me to catch up on the various projects I’m working on. As always, one thing that stands out in my daily workflow is uploading photos. It’s a constant, standard part of my work routine, something I’ve gotten comfortable with and really enjoy doing.

However, the real challenge comes when it’s time to edit videos. Unlike uploading photos, which is straightforward and simple, video editing requires a lot more time, creativity, and attention to detail. When I first started, I found it daunting—there’s so much more to consider, from pacing and transitions to audio levels and visual effects. It felt like a puzzle that was difficult to solve, but one I knew I had to figure out.

This internship has been a huge learning experience, and each project has taught me something new. With every video I edit, I’ve become more efficient. While I’m still learning, and there’s always room for improvement, it’s been a rewarding journey, and I’m excited to continue growing my skills.

On April 5th, I had the privilege of working Hatter Saturday, which was the final showcase event at Stetson for potential new students. It turned out to be quite a day, starting bright and early at 8 AM. I got to capture the excitement as students and their families signed in and made their way into the gymnasium for the introduction speech by President Roellke and some inspiring guest speakers.

One of the highlights of the day was being able to capture footage of all the student organizations gathered in Palm Court. It was fantastic to watch families explore the diverse clubs and organizations Stetson has to offer at the various tabling stations run by enthusiastic students. The atmosphere was filled with smiles, and it was heartwarming to see the genuine joy from both Stetson students and families alike. I made sure to cover nearly every tabling group, soaking in the vibrant energy.

Another fun moment was when the prospective students had a chance to ring the iconic Stetson bell! Throughout the day, there was plenty of delicious food and live music to enjoy, provided by a talented duo of current Stetson students. Overall, it was a wonderful day filled with excitement and connection, showcasing everything that Stetson has to offer where I could capture great photos and videos of all the memories.

This past March, I had the pleasure of diving into the exciting world of pickleball by attending several club practices. It’s incredible to see how this sport is gaining popularity, and I managed to capture some amazing moments of students jumping into the fun. There’s something special about sharing laughter with friends while getting a solid workout, and that’s just one of the perks of campus life!

On my first visit to a practice, I met the enthusiastic president of the club. She was eager to share the club’s mission and all the exciting activities it offers. I was able to get a quick interview with her before the other participants started to arrive. As practice kicked off, I took the opportunity to snap photos and record videos of the players in action, making sure to capture wide shots and plenty of b-roll featuring all the smiling faces. I ended up staying until the sun set, completely immersed in the fun—it truly felt more like play than work!

A few weeks ago, I decided to shake things up and explore some fun events happening around campus. One of my latest adventures took me to Goat Yoga on Libby Lawn, and let me tell you, it was a blast! A local farmer brought in several adorable goats, and students had the opportunity to sign up for a unique yoga session with these playful creatures. Imagine a peaceful yoga class interrupted by frolicking goats! Students entered a gated area where the goats were free to roam and climb over them, creating some truly delightful and hilarious moments I was able to capture through my camera. The scene was filled with laughter and smiles as everyone embraced this quirky experience. The photos are uploaded to the Stetson University Instagram!

I had the opportunity to cover an event called Hairitage, which celebrated various hair textures and styles. The event featured multiple presentations on the history of hair, games, yoga, food, and hair specialists, including braiders. There was also a raffle with hair products. It offered a blend of knowledge, products, and the chance to have your hair styled. Many students attended, gaining valuable insights and celebrating the diversity of hair.

I felt honored to capture this event through my camera. The smiles on everyone’s faces were heartwarming. After filming, I began the task of compiling the footage to create a video showcasing the event. It turned out to be much more complicated of a task than I was used to. I was nervous at first, unsure of where to begin, as this was my first time working on something that would be shared publicly. But once I dove into the editing process, it was thrilling—I absolutely loved it! As I am in the final edits, selecting the best clips and finding the right soundtrack to truly capture the essence of the event is such a rewarding experience!

The last several meetings we’ve hosted have been buzzing with energy. There’s so much to plan, so many events to cover, and the list keeps growing. But it’s all part of the thrill!

This past week, I completed my first task on my own – photographing therapy dogs on campus and creating something for social media. To be honest, I was a little nervous before arriving. I didn’t want to be that creepy photographer lurking in the background. But as soon as I got there, everyone was excited to be in front of the camera, and the dogs were so eager to interact. That energy instantly put me at ease. I found myself smiling the whole time, especially as the dogs came up to me while I worked. It turned into a fun and heartwarming experience, and I’m so glad I got to be part of it. It’s moments like these that make the hustle of planning and covering events feel completely worth it!

Recapping my first few weeks, beginning a creative arts internship, going over the excitement and nerves I experienced.

Four interns, including myself, started by covering the videography of the MLK march through downtown Deland. Walking through the march, a smile never left my face. I felt like I was part of something important by being able to capture it though a camera. I was able to experience the beauty of being immediately thrown into the action.

Following up a few days after the march, we had our first real meeting. Full of introductions and our plan for the semester. We then immediately started in on the strategies for our agency. I really enjoyed how it all felt like we were equal, everyone was able to speak openly, it felt like we’ve all know each other for years. The bringing together of different perspectives, made me immediately realize how much I’m going to learn from this internship.

The most rewarding part of these first few meets, has definitely opened my eyes that besides creating social media posts, what we will be doing is tied to a greater mission: telling stories, solving problems, and connecting with people and really giving a voice to the students.