Into the mix

"After receiving Medical Assitance for her husband, Alanna Boulis, left, Therese McIntyre of Baltimore Healthcare, center, and Gov. Martin O'Malley, smile during a news conference focusing on an expansion of the state's health insurance program in the AARP offices in Baltimore, Monday. The program took effect July 1."

Monday started my much anticipated summer internship with The Baltimore Sun. I've been looking forward to this day since I found out I'd be getting to join the Tribune Company.

The night before was like the night before Christmas. I barely slept and I was excited, yet nervous for my first official day. I had no idea what to expect.

After getting signed in I was introduced to the other editors and the staff photographers that we're on and in the newsroom.

I've bumped into more than half of the staffers while freelancing, and it seemed like those I had not met before were working Monday. It was awesome to finally put a face with their name and pictures.

Everyone is very welcoming and friendly and I hope to learn a lot from them.

Being an intern I assumed I would be doing some ride alongs the first few days, however, they threw me right into the mix. If I wasn't nervous enough having it be my first day, I was put to the test with my first assignment.

The assignment itself was at noon and featured Gov. Martin O'Malley speaking during a news conference focusing on an expansion of the state's health insurance program, which took effect July 1.

Since I had time to burn, I was shown their filing system and some technical stuff with the computers.

Around 11 a.m. I decided to head down the street, about six blocks, and see what I'd be dealing with.

A typical press conference, the small room was boiling hot as it was jam-packed with TV station cameras and loads of people patiently awaiting the Governor.

I marked my spot and waited and waited. As per usual it started late and I sweating. Then it finally started. All went well and I had plenty of time to get back to the office and move the images from there.

After shooting my first assignment on Tuesday, I headed back to the office to see my first image ran as a standalone with the cutline suffix Sun photo by Patrick Smith/July 7, 2008. I've dreamed of seeing my name in The Sun for years.

It's been an awesome first two days. I know this great opportunity will be very beneficial to my career and cannot wait to get the chance to see how the other staffers work, learn a great deal and make some telling photographs along the way.

The above is an outtake from my first assignment.