How to become a Bella Pictures Photographer Intern

2012 INTERNSHIP

Bella Pictures, the country’s largest wedding photography company, is seeking talented and enthusiastic visual storytellers for it 2012 Photographers Intern Program.

PRINTABLE FLYER

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Must currently be enrolled in or a recent graduate of a photography program within a university or college with a focus on commercial, photojournalism, or wedding photography
• Be available to work every Saturday per session
• Be available for a group phone conference every Wednesday throughout the program and one, 1:1 conference call with the program coordinator
• Have access to two professional camera bodies, two professional flashes; a fast wide angle lens, medium focal length fast lens, and a longer lens (i.e. 70-200, f2.8)
• Must have reliable personal transportation
• Have access to a computer to upload images

What Past Interns Say

“This program has something that school can not teach you and that is real world application of skills,”
Matt Gruver, 2011 intern in Philadelphia, The Art Institute of Philadelphia.
“The internship program is the best decision I have made in my photography career thus far,”
Marie Pasquel, 2010 intern in Washington, Boston University CDIA/D.C.
“One thing I really like about Bella is that they encourage you to have your own business and shooting style,”
Erin Hoyt 2011 intern in Chicago; The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.
“l would do this program again in a heartbeat. I loved it and learned so much.”
Ashley Clayton, 2011 intern in New York; School of Visual Arts, New York City.
“ I received real world experience, got to see other professionals in action and had great critiques of my work with really helpful advice on how to improve my technical and creative skills.”
Robin Garber, 2010 intern in DC, Boston University CDIA/D.C

About The Program

Bella emphasizes a photojournalistic style in its work. The program is more than an internship. It is a handson opportunity to shoot along working wedding photographers, build your portfolio and if you qualify, become a certified member of Bella’s pool of paid freelance photographers.
Interns shoot along side different Bella leads at six weddings over a seven-week period. Interns take part in a weekly group conference call and a weekly one-on-one meetings with a Bella photo coach during which their weddings are critiqued. Bella stands apart from many studios in that it shares its copyright with its photographers, so on completion of the program, you will walk away with a professional 72-image portfolio that showcases the skills you have honed. Over the past three summers, 38 graduate and photo students from nearly two dozen commercial photography programs across the country interned with Bella.
In today’s competitive market, this program provides a great opportunity to jump-start your career in wedding photography. Bella’s program stresses the fundamentals of effective, storytelling, as well as the importance of providing first class customer service. This is what makes photographers successful.
During weekly group calls you will hear from different experts at Bella, talk about topics ranging from flash techniques to best practices in customer service. We plan to have 3 intern sessions in 2012. Each session will last 7 weeks and you must be available to cover a wedding on each of the six Saturdays of the session you apply and for a one hour group call every Wednesday. Tentatively, the 2012 sessions are scheduled as follows:
• Session 1, early June thru mid July
• Session 2, late July thru early September
• Session 3, mid September thru late October

“The internship was a great way to get practical experience under my belt, along with being able to build up my portfolio quickly with a variety of shoots. The critiques, techniques, and helpful hints I received along the way from almost everyone involved were invaluable. Anyone looking to shoot weddings would have a great experience with Bella.”
Heather Scott, 2011 intern, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

More Information on Internship

Bella is seeking interns in Atlanta, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Miami, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Houston, Denver and San Francisco.
For more information and to apply for an internship, please email program director Rob Paine, rob.paine@bellapictures.com. To apply online for a Bella photography internship position, please click here.