Addy, a media and communication and studio art double major, connected with the owner of McKinney Media while both were photographing Alumni Weekend 2024.
Sierra Addy ’27, whose primary interest is in photography, has found many opportunities to practice her craft on campus. As a first-year student, she began working as a photographer for the Office of Communications and Marketing; since then, she’s joined The Muhlenberg Weekly and the Muhlenberg Theatre Association as a photographer and started her own business shooting events and portraits for fellow students.
During Alumni Weekend her sophomore year, Addy was shooting the Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Work when she noticed another photographer on the scene. Carter McKinney, founder and CEO of McKinney Media, was capturing Alumni Weekend on behalf of the Office of Advancement.
“I got to show him around and give him directions to different places because he didn’t know where he was going,” says Addy, a media and communication and studio art double major. “And he said, ‘If you ever want an internship, just let me know.’”
She stayed in touch and ultimately took him up on his offer. She contacted him last spring and began her internship last fall. She primarily served as a second shooter on events — a wedding, some birthday parties, some corporate events — but also assisted with corporate photoshoots and portraiture.
“We also would have calls every week and go through editing and business practices. I became a really good event photographer because I had to work at a higher volume than I was used to. I also got better with flash photography,” says Addy, who has assisted McKinney on a few projects since her internship ended. “He gave me advice on how to market my own business and to update my website and my prices, and I learned how to work with a wider range of people.”
“[Addy] has been an incredible intern and a real success story for us here at McKinney Media. From day one, she brought curiosity, professionalism, and a strong work ethic. She quickly grew confident in both her artistry and her voice, and consistently delivered beautiful work across client sessions, events, and creative projects,” McKinney says. “She’s reliable, talented, and has a bright future ahead.”
Learn more about Addy in this story from Muhlenberg Magazine.
Photo by Carter McKinney
