Today’s blog post is SO exciting! I’m pumped to introduce you to my first EVER intern! Two months ago, I opened applications for my fall internship and just one month ago, I hired Radina! The past month has flown by and she has been the most amazing addition to my team. She’s been SO helpful in every single way as she works with me assisting on wedding days and in the office twice a week. We got out of the office and explored the Beltline near my neighborhood for her headshots last week. Enjoy getting to know her a bit below!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are in life right now.
My name is Radina and I am a wife, mommy, and a UGA alum. I have been married for 6 years to my high school sweetheart, and we have an almost 3-year old daughter together. I am currently in a very unique place in my life. My husband is making a big career change, which is allowing our family to permanently move to Atlanta, GA, and also allowing me to make a reset in my own career journey.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Bulgaria and moved to Atlanta, Georgia when I was in 4th grade.
What attracted you to apply for this internship?
I have always had an interest in photography and the ability to capture candid moments that you can look back on for years to come, but I knew that did not want to be a photographer as a profession. I had just joined the Tuesdays Together – Atlanta Facebook group with the intention to connect to creative entrepreneurs and saw Kiyah’s post about her Fall internship. It jumped out at me as an amazing opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes of a photography business firsthand. I applied without a second thought, and here we are!
What do you love about photography?
I love the emotion that can be captured in those in-between moments of the “pretty” pictures. I love a beautiful sunset or a perfectly styled shoot, but it’s the little moments of a glance between two people or a contagious laugh that really jump out at me.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about helping people. It’s something that comes very naturally to me, and I will forever go above and beyond for people in both my personal and professional life.
What are some small things that make your day better?
Doing something nice for someone, just because. Listening to a podcast (“Don’t Quit Your Day Job with Cathy Heller” is my favorite). Doing arts and crafts with my daughter. Doing something outside with my husband and daughter, like walking around Stone Mountain or visiting a local fair.
What’s the last adventure you went on?
My daughter and I spent 5 weeks in Bulgaria this summer. It was simultaneously amazing and exhausting. We traveled the whole span of the country, from the Black Sea to the Rhodope Mountains and the Balkans. Definitely an unforgettable trip!
What is your favorite book?
The Harry Potter books are my favorite. Of those books, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is my favorite (Viktor Krum is from Bulgaria…duh!). Another book that comes to mind is Lord of the Flies because I joke that it’s the only book I read in high school without the help of Cliff Notes, and my English teacher at the time, Ms. Miere, did an amazing job engaging the class and connecting the book to current events.
What is your ice cream flavor?
Hands down, it’s the Cotton Candy Explosion flavor from Bruster’s.
What is something that few people know about you?
I am an introvert through and through, but not with my closest friends and family. At my core I am extremely sarcastic, tend to speak before I think, and am an open book.
What three things would you do on a “me” day?
This is a question that I struggle with, because since having my daughter a “me” day consists of having time to myself to just do nothing. It’s such a silly answer, but I just enjoy turning my brain off and scrolling my phone with a TV show on for background noise.
What are you excited about in the next 12 months?
I am excited (and terrified) to launch my Virtual Assistant business for photographers and creative entrepreneurs!
Are you a morning person or night owl?
I am a night owl, although I am always the most productive early in the morning but have a really hard time rolling out of bed (especially in the winter, when my heated blanket won’t let me leave).
What was your favorite moment from your own wedding day?
Dancing the night away! The DJ had asked me to compile a list of our favorite songs before the wedding, and I had sent him so many songs that he basically only played those songs all night. I would step away to have a drink or a bite of cake and hear another song that was “my song” and quickly jump back on the dance floor. It was the best day!
If you were given $100 and you had to spend it on yourself, how would you spend it?
Honestly, I would probably spend it on something for my daughter! But if I HAD to spend it on myself I would put it toward tickets to the next Taylor Swift tour, which I am committed to going to the next time around!
