One of the cherries on top of this creative entrepreneurship road has been to connect with creatives who are starting to establish themselves and have them come on to the ComePlum team. This post is written by the talented Stephanie Quirk our former intern and now an associate photographer for ComePlum. I was low-key tearing up with her generous words! Read on so you can learn more about this photographer who is obsessed with craft chocolate and is incredible with kids (she taught me to bring marshmallows to a photoshoot hashtag brilliant).

Taking the Leap to Pursue Photography in SF

Last year I made one of the biggest decisions of my life – taking a leap of faith and moving out to San Francisco to start my photography career. Soon after moving, I came across ComePlum and reached out to Praise, a San Francisco wedding photographer, and instantly fell in love with her photography and passion for all things ethical. Her style marries breathtaking simplicity with stunning quality, and it is clear she has an ability to capture special moments, both big and small. One look at her work and I knew I had to reach out and see how I could become involved.

After meeting Praise in person to discuss an internship opportunity, I knew I had made the right decision. Keep in mind, I had just completed a four-year photography degree from one of the top design universities in the country, but even so, there was so much to be learned from Praise.

For those who have yet to meet Praise, you are in for a treat! I’m not quite sure how to put into words how amazing she is. She is one of the most caring, authentic, and bubbly people you will ever meet. Plus, she loves puns. Can’t beat that.

Aside from her general awesomeness, she is also a true artist. I have always believed that there is so much you can learn from watching another artist in their creative state, and Praise is no exception. Whether it’s interacting with clients or finding the perfect light, Praise knows what it takes to bring all the little details together to memorialize beautiful stories.

My San Francisco Wedding Photography Internship

My first day of interning involved assisting Praise with a wedding at City Hall. I love weddings, so obviously I was thrilled, but I was also able to kickstart my internship experience by observing Praise’s personal touch when interacting with clients. Not only is she the best SF city hall wedding photographers, but she was able to make her clients feel comfortable while using the space that was available in an effective and creative manner. And the learning didn’t stop there. Over the course of my photography internship, I was given the opportunity to assist Praise on various photoshoots with lighting, touch-ups, details, shot-lists, BTS, editing, and aiding as a second shooter.

On top of all that, one of the most important learnings I took away from this internship experience (besides learning how to make chocolate during a chocolate tour with Praise) is the importance of personal branding. As a master of branding among wedding photographers in San Francisco, Praise has been able to insert her passions and values into her photography. She has taught me about the power of consistency as a way of making your business stand out, and she has emphasized the importance of reflecting your values in both your photography and your interactions with others. In the same way, I hope to infuse my art and career with my own personal touch.

Although my internship has come to a close, I have learned and gained a lot through this journey that I will never forget. I am so thankful for all the lessons and guidance from Praise, and I believe the tools and resources she has given me will help me grow as a photographer and one day start my own business. I cannot thank Praise enough for this experience. 5 stars. Would do again.