From Football Fields to Flash Settings: My Casa Bay Internship Experience

By Peyton, Casa Bay Photography Intern

Hey, what’s up? I’m Peyton, 17 years old, a football player, photographer, and hiking fan when I’m not busy with one of the first two. I like staying active, whether it’s on the field or chasing athletes with a camera in hand. And this summer? I did something that pushed me more than any game or trail—joining the Casa Bay Photography internship.

Why I Joined the Casa Bay Internship

I’ve always loved photography. There's just something about freezing a moment—especially when it's someone mid-laugh or totally in their element—that feels powerful. I like capturing people the way they want to be seen. I’ve done a lot of shooting on my own, mostly sports and seniors, but I knew there was more to learn. That’s where Casa Bay came in.

When I heard about the internship, I knew it wasn’t just about holding a camera—it was about learning the business side too. Sales, professionalism, editing, client interactions... all the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes photography a career instead of just a cool hobby. I wanted to learn from people who actually do this for a living. And I knew Maria, the owner and lead photographer, didn’t mess around.

The Real Producers Event: My First Big Moment

Early in the internship, Maria invited me and a couple of the other interns to help her photograph a Real Producers event—a high-end networking event full of real estate professionals. AKA, full-grown adults in nice suits and heels. Not exactly the same vibe as high school seniors or high school football games.

Before the event, we met up at the studio where Maria walked us through setup, gear, and event etiquette. She even gave us a crash course on “don’t-be-that-guy” rules—like don’t stand in the middle of a speech, don’t move stuff around that isn’t yours, and always leave things exactly where you found them. Basically, the Fight Club of event photography. (Rule #1: Don’t make Maria look bad.)

We also got pizza. Big perk, not gonna lie. Happens a lot at Casa Bay. Good food = good vibes.

Game Time

I was in charge of the photo booth and getting “grab and grin” shots—those quick snaps of people talking, laughing, and just enjoying the event. I was nervous at first. Talking to adults is way different than telling kids to smile. You’re this 17-year-old kid walking up to professionals like, “Hey, can I get a photo of you two?” Not the easiest thing to pull off without feeling awkward.

But I got through it. And then I hit my stride. During the speeches, I started moving more confidently, capturing candids, watching for reactions, waiting for that perfect shot. I found my groove, and it felt really good.

At one point, I showed Maria a shot I was super proud of—this killer angle of someone mid-speech with perfect lighting and expression. Her reaction? “Ugh, I’m jealous of you.” Boom. That moment? I’ll never forget it.

Team Vibes and Flash Fixes

One thing I didn’t expect going in? How awesome the team vibe would be. We helped each other out the whole time—whether it was adjusting flash settings or just hyping each other up when we nailed a shot. I even helped two interns with their camera setups. It was cool realizing how much experience I already had, but also how much I could still learn.

Speaking of flash—yeah, I didn’t know how much that would change my game. I had done some photography before, but using flash at an indoor event was a new challenge. Maria helped us set everything up beforehand, and it made a huge difference. I learned how to control it so it wasn’t too harsh or blown out, and it gave my photos a clean, professional look.

What Surprised Me

Honestly? I didn’t expect it to be so exhausting. Like, I was tired after the event. I had to leave a couple of hours before it ended, and I still felt like I’d just played a full game. But it was the kind of tired that feels good—you know you gave it everything.

Also, big surprise: some of my photos got picked to be featured. And get this—the person who picked them didn’t even know they were mine. That hit different. It proved to me that my work could stand on its own. It was a confidence boost I didn’t even know I needed.

Biggest Challenges

Talking to people I didn’t know? Way up there on the challenge list. Like I said earlier, I’m usually with friends or teammates, not trying to get strangers to pose for a photo. But pushing through that awkwardness was worth it. It taught me that a little discomfort can lead to major growth.

I also learned that rushing leads to blurry shots. At first, I was just snapping away, hoping to catch the moment. Maria taught me how to slow down, be intentional, and wait for the moment. She called it being a "sharpshooter." Now, I don’t just click and hope—I shoot with purpose.

Maria’s Role

I’ve got to give a huge shoutout to Maria. She didn’t just toss us a camera and say “good luck.” She prepped us, coached us, and gave us real-time feedback. She knew how to push us without overwhelming us. And because she believed in me, I started to believe in myself more too.

Even when she was staying two hours after I left, she was still answering questions and checking in with the team. That was pretty awesome. 

Final Takeaways

So what did I actually learn from all this? Let me break it down:

• Confidence: I started unsure and walked away feeling like I could handle real events.

• Communication: Talking to adults, giving directions, working with a team—it all got easier.

• Lighting & Flash: I learned how to actually use light, not just hope for the best.
  

Would I do it again? 100%. The only thing I’d do differently is trust myself more from the start.

Thinking of Applying?

If you’re even remotely thinking about applying to the Casa Bay internship, I’ve got one word: do. The schedule is flexible, the environment is supportive, and the stuff you’ll learn is legit. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s been behind the camera for a while, there’s something here for you.

I came into this internship wanting to grow—and I did. Not just with photography, but as a person. I walked in as a high schooler with a camera and walked out feeling like someone who could actually make this a career.

One Last Thing…

The internship isn’t just about photos. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and realizing you’ve got more in you than you thought.

So, if you’ve got a camera and some curiosity? Take the shot. Casa Bay is waiting.

Happy shooting
– Peyton