Where Coasters Meet the Camera

- Austin Krieger

I have always been fascinated over how a single photo can tell so much. Photography is much more than just an image — it’s an opportunity to capture moments that make life vibrant and meaningful. Similarly, I have always had a passion for theme parks. The excitement, energy, and escapism of traveling to these places and roller coaster-riding makes every moment unforgettable and worth experiencing. Through my camera, I aim to capture those moments of thrills and excitement. Whether it is the rush of a roller coaster, the magic of amusement parks at night, or simply seeing people enjoying themselves, theme parks provide endless amounts of joy that make these places so memorable. I am excited to share both of these passions through my blog, sharing with you my adventures, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from the places I love to explore most.

The Beginnings

Growing up in Pittsburgh, my family would take me to Kennywood every summer. Kennywood is a traditional amusement park with the perfect blend of classic rides and modern thrills. To this day, it remains one of my favorite places, and I would be lying if I said I don’t find an excuse to visit “just one more time.” This is the park that truly inspired my love for roller coasters.

My passion for creating content took off in 2021, when I started my YouTube channel. Although I have gone by several names over the years, Koaster Krieger is the one that has stuck the longest. This combines my last name with my love for roller coasters and gives a nod to Kennywood by replacing the “C” in coaster with a “K.” What began as a fun way to upload unused footage from my iPhone quickly turned into something much more meaningful. I soon discovered how much I enjoyed filming and visual storytelling, capturing the thrills, sounds, and atmosphere of theme parks in a new way for me.

The first video uploaded to my channel was simple — a single-shot, 50-second clip of the GaleForce roller coaster at Playland’s Castaway Cove in Ocean City, New Jersey. From that point on, I knew I wanted to continue sharing my experiences at Kennywood and other theme parks through video, combining my love for rides with my growing passion for visual storytelling.

It was not until my first Kennywood video that I decided that this was something that I wanted to continue doing, though. In December of 2021, I uploaded a single frame of Kennywood’s iconic 1926 William H. Dentzel Carousel in its Christmas overlay. That video has boasted to over 31,000 views within the span of four years, and maintains its spot of one of my most popular videos. This goes to show that sometimes even the simplest ideas can reach tall heights.

Taking the Next Shot

I never stop thinking of new ideas for what is next for the content I create. I am always looking ahead to find ways to keep Koaster Krieger fresh, exciting, and relevant. The most important aspect to consider is not just what I want to see, but what my followers want to see. This mindset has ultimately led me to a new way of exploring a new way of using a camera: photography.

Photography may seem like a simple concept, but it takes a lot of patience, creativity, and attention to detail. It’s about lighting, composition, and waiting for that perfect moment to take that picture. I find that theme parks and roller coasters are the perfect opportunity for photography because they combine color, emotion, and energy - everything that makes for an impactful picture. Every ride, guest, and attraction sets the mood for what a theme park truly is: a place where excitement and joy come together. Capturing those moments allows me to embrace the atmosphere of these places by turning these experiences into lasting memories.

Of course, I needed a place where I could share my photography. I wanted a platform that was both renowned and had a large audience. I noticed that many photographers use social media to showcase their work, and since I was already very active on Instagram and had experience managing multiple accounts, I saw it as a great chance to use Koaster Krieger beyond video content. By doing this, I not only expanded my channel, but also found the perfect space to display my photos, connect with other enthusiasts and creators, and discover new ways to share the visual side of theme parks and thrill rides.

Many theme park enthusiasts would agree that amusement parks come the most alive at night. Those warm summer evenings, combined with the bright neon lights, sounds, and nighttime screams on roller coaster, create a type of feeling that you can’t find in ordinary life. The atmosphere feels electric, in both a familiar yet new way every time. To me, that is when parks truly shine, not only as a fan, but also as a photographer.

Beyond my on-the-job duties, the internship included weekly leadership development courses. In my first year, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts partnered with Shippensburg University to offer these classes, which focused on personal growth and preparing us for future roles in management and leadership. Topics ranged from diversity and interpersonal communication to effectively managing our time and responsibilities in the workplace. During my second year, as a supervisor, the classes were taught by special guests from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, providing insights directly from experienced leaders within the company. They took us on tours to the Milton Hershey School, the Giant Center, home of the Hershey Bears hockey team, The Hotel Hershey, and several other properties that gave us behind-the-scenes looks at how the company operates.

Working at Hersheypark taught me the fundamentals of what it’s like to work at an amusement park beyond just visiting as a guest and using my technical skills. Gaining hands-on experience operating rides and collaborating with others gave me a deeper understanding of what goes on behind the scenes at these entertainment destinations. It takes a lot of vigilance, extreme care, and responsibility - lessons that will help shape any career opportunities that I may approach.

Several of these sessions brought Level One and Level Two interns together for team-building exercises, with my favorite being the “Chocolate Challenge.” In this activity, teams collaborated to build models entirely out of candy, representing what makes Hershey such a special town. The most significant gatherings with all of the interns, were the networking luncheonsThese events provided not only the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow interns, but to engage with company leaders, learn insights from their experiences, and grow our professional connections to help with our career paths. At the end of summer, all Level One and Two Interns would get together for a graduation ceremony hosted inside Hersheypark.

Did I mention that I used to work at a major amusement park? That’s right! For two summers, I had the fortunate opportunity to work at one of thee nation’s greatest amusement parks, Hersheypark.

When I was in college, I participated in the Hersheypark Leadership Development Internship, which is divided into two parts: the Level One and Level Two programs. During my first year, I was part of the Level One program and gained hands-on experience operating rides for the first time. I always had a dream of standing behind the control panel of a roller coaster, and I could hardly believe it when that dream finally became a reality. As an operator, I learned the many different aspects of guest safety and smooth operations, including using hand signals and nonverbal communication with other team members.

My favorite memory from working at Hersheypark was being honored with an Outstanding Employee Award in 2023. This recognition reflected my hard work, relationships with coworkers, reliability, and dedication to delivering excellent guest experiences every day.

Riding into the Finale

As I bring this blog to a close, I can’t help but think about how much joy and creativity that this journey has brought me. I have come a long way, starting as a small YouTuber into a true theme park enthusiast. Whether you are as roller coaster crazy as I am or just a casual fan, I really hope that this blog has brought you some excitement and inspiration as you think about your own future and the paths that you want to follow. If you would like to see more about what I do, be sure to subscribe to me on YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram above or below.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and supporting my work. It means the world to me, and I can’t wait to share even more future adventures with you!