First Round – The concept was simple, I was looking for extra help, recalled my work experiences of the past, and *DING!* the solution came to me: an internship.

As I have done before in my business, I rushed to get the idea out there as quickly as possible, perhaps a little too quickly….

A quick posting to Craigslist began generating emails immediately.  I was looking for someone that was:

  • Passionate about photography
  • Interested in the wedding industry
  • Had some basic skills and equipment
  • Was computer savvy
  • Was in college or had some means of sustaining themselves.  (I had to make it clear that this was not a “full-time” opportunity but more for experience)

Many interviews later, I found 2 amazing candidates.  One would eventually become my “processor”, someone I could outsource my color-correcting to and could operate on a contractor basis.  The other became my intern/assistant, someone whom I would groom to become a second shooter and who fulfilled intern-like tasks such as designing internal documents and forms to organize my bride’s information.

She would come in 1-2 days a week as an intern to help with tasks.  She would also serve as my paid assistant for all my weddings, whether there be a second shooter or not on a contractor basis.

Things got a little complicated once I spoke to my insurance agent and he mentioned that my intern was:

A.)  Needing to be covered by Worker’s Compensation Insurance
B.)  Could be classified as an employee by the state because well, she was learning on the job and contributing to the operations.  Not easily classified as a contractor.

This resulted in a $500 bill for worker’s comp in addition to the fact that this may be an illegal arrangement according to the Dept. of Labor.  I decided to contact local universities to see how they handled their internship programs….

…to be cont’d (read part II now)

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