Alumni Spotlight: Renelle W.
Each conversation with a First Tech Fund alum is an opportunity to reflect on what’s been most beneficial for our students and how they’ve been impacted through their participation in our programming and in partnership with our staff. These conversations also remind us that there is much more support we can offer students across New York City, and that we can expand our impact with the support of additional generous funders.
Renelle joined First Tech Fund during the Foto Program, a program we trialed in 2021 to expose NYC students to foundational photography skills, insight into various types of photography and career pathways, constructive art criticism strategies, and more.
Now a senior at Hofstra University, Renelle is studying Television Production with a minor in African Studies. She plans to conclude her senior year this upcoming spring semester by studying at Emerson College’s Los Angeles campus to further immerse herself in the entertainment industry.
We recently connected with Renelle to talk about her favorite FTF memories, her current studies at Hofstra, and more.
When you started at First Tech Fund as a Fellow, what were some of the things you were looking for support with?
When I started at First Tech Fund as a Fellow, I had just begun exploring photography—mostly using my iPhone 11. I would often share my photos with a teacher at my high school, and one day, he sent me the application for the First Tech Fund summer photography program. He told me he thought it could help me harness my craft. With a bit of hope, and still unsure if I’d even be selected, I applied—and the rest is history. Through the program, I learned so many new skills in landscape, portrait, and street photography. By the end, I felt a new level of confidence and began to see myself as an artist for the first time.
What was the favorite part of the program you were a part of?
My favorite part of the program was the first meetup where I was given my first professional camera that I still use to this day. Being able to explore various styles of photography allowed me to develop both technically and creatively. However, the most impactful moment was seeing my self-portrait displayed at The Boiler Room gallery in Williamsburg at the end of the summer. That experience affirmed my passion for visual storytelling and marked the beginning of my career in the arts and media.
What is something you learned at FTF that you continue to value today?
One of the most valuable things I learned at First Tech Fund was to take my creativity seriously—and to believe in the worth of my ideas. The program didn’t just teach me technical skills; it gave me a space where I felt seen and supported as a young creative. That encouragement helped me build confidence, and it’s something I carry with me in everything I do today, whether it’s photography, design, or any new project I take on.
Can you tell us about an interesting person that you met via First Tech Fund? What did they teach you that helps you today in your work or in your studies?
Hana, the co-founder of First Tech Fund, is one of the most interesting, helpful, and kind people I’ve ever met. She’s taught me so much about the importance of networking—especially in a fast-paced city like New York and within the entertainment industry, where who you know can open doors. Hana helped me craft cold emails for opportunities, connected me with amazing individuals, and showed me how to confidently sell myself and my brand. One of the most valuable lessons she shared was that if I believe in myself, others will too. Even to this day, she continues to water me and help me grow along my journey in the professional world, and for that, I am always grateful. Her support has made a lasting impact on both my confidence and my career.
What are you doing now and what are some of your goals for the next couple of years?
This upcoming fall, I’ll be entering my senior year at Hofstra University. In the spring, I’ll be participating in a study “abroad” program in Los Angeles through Emerson College, where I’ll be interning at a television company and working hard to get my foot in the door of the entertainment industry. Over the next few years, I plan to rebrand and expand my own photography business into a full-service media company offering videography, graphic design, clothing, etc. As I continue to grow creatively and professionally, my goal is to become a cinematographer or production manager, collaborating with leading companies like Apple TV, Netflix, or Shondaland.
If there’s one thing you’d want to share about the First Tech Fund’s resources and community of support, what would it be?
One thing I always share about First Tech Fund is that their support doesn’t end when the program does. Even four years after participating in their summer photography program in high school, they continue to reach out and offer meaningful opportunities. Through their network, I secured my first internship with Dayna’s House—a social-first creative content agency—which truly set me on the right path. It was there that I began learning the business side of creative production, a turning point in understanding how to build a sustainable career in the industry. Once you become part of the First Tech Fund family, you’re never forgotten. At every stage of my academic and professional journey, I know I have a community I can count on for support, guidance, and opportunity.