senior year advice Archives

May

Lessons for Graduate

Graduation is a time when students officially enter young adulthood. It can be a time of excitement and worry. I remember the feeling of being lost at graduation. I had no idea where I was headed. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had not discovered any real passions in life. I don’t even think I had any hobbies. The only professions I knew about were doctors, lawyers and teachers. My parents didn’t expect me to go to college and quite frankly, I didn’t either. I was misplaced. I felt a lot of anxiousness. Whether you are graduating from high school or college, I wanted to share ten lessons I’ve learned about life since that very uncertain time in my life. I hope my own uncertainty will inspire and empower you on your journey to find your purpose.

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I read the following advice this weekend on Facebook® and thought it was appropriate to include here. This is advice from a father to his oldest daughter.

If I can give you some advice about how to deal with life, I would say attack life like you would a softball. Attack life and want life to to happen to you. Attack life like you are a second grader who has just been told that it is recess time. Remember life is not about the medals we win, it is about the relationships that we create while we are trying to get those medals.
~JHS Coach, Chuck Ponton

Lessons for the Recent Graduate

You are here for a reason! At 18 it may be hard to understand and know what that reason is, but it will come to you. You may be here for multiple reasons. The most significant thing you can do in life is to discover, live and share your purpose. This is the thing that matters most.
Find your passion and follow it. If you discover what feeds your fire, what makes your heart pound, what makes your eyes light up… and you are true to this passion, your life will be happy.
Learn from everything you do. There are lessons all around you—good and bad.
You will have failures. Failures mean that you tried something and that you learned something. Failures are nothing to be ashamed of.
It’s okay to quit… as long as it’s for the right reasons. Don’t quit because something is difficult or there are challenges in the way. Quit because you know you are not benefiting from a certain experience. Quit because you know you are no longer meant to be there.
You will have jobs and experiences that do not suit you or serve your purpose, but understand that they will prepare you for a better purpose. Know when it is time to quit them (#5).
Serve. Don’t miss any opportunity to serve your fellow man. Service is rewarding and vital to your own purpose.
There is no hurry. Life is a process. Every experience you have in life is what makes you the person you are. Missing out on these experiences (good and bad) is cheating yourself. The process is not a precise one… not on your time but in the right time.
Chances are, your purpose will not be found by following a prescribed, straight line. Your quest will be filled with heart ache, mystery, challenges, dead ends and detours. Remain positive and devoted. Your purpose will come.
Allow yourself to grow and spread joy and happiness. Make the world a better place to live in. Do at least one kind thing each day. Smile at people. Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Edited to add…
From my good friend since 1st grade—circa 1976, Thomas C. Graham: “A lesson I can add: Never forget the friends you make along your journey. The moments and time you share will forever be a part of who you are and every future friendship you ever have. No matter how many miles or years pass between you, it only takes a moment to pick right back up where you left off. You never outgrow your childhood best friends.”

The post, Lessons for the Recent Graduate, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

May

Graduation Traditions

This weekend, many high schools and colleges across the country will be reading names from endless lists of graduates as they are called to cross a stage and receive their diplomas. There are many traditions that have resulted and been long standing after the commencement exercises are over… like moving your tassel from left to right, tossing your cap in the air, and jumping into the San Marcos River.

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You might wonder how some of these traditions got started… well, here’s the scoop on some of the more common traditions.

Graduation Traditions

Why do the graduates march in/out of the ceremony to Pomp and Circumstance?
In 1905, Sir Edward Elgar was invited to Yale’s commencement to receive an honorary doctorate degree. To honor their guest, Yale had the New Haven Symphony Orchestra play parts of his 1901 composition (Pomp and Circumstance Military March from March No. 1 in D Major). It was enjoyed so much, that it quickly spread to other graduations and has been a long-standing tradition.

Why do graduates wear cap and gowns?
The use of cap and gowns began in the 12th century because heating systems in universities were nonexistent. Graduates wore long robes with hoods simply to stay warm during their ceremonies. Later on in the same century, gowns were made the official attire for academics.

Why do students decorate the tops of their caps?
Graduating students decorate the tops of their caps with special messages, achievements or mantras to signify their milestone. They also decorate them so that family members can identify them easily from their observation seats.

Why do graduates turn the tassel?
The use of the tassel is only 40 or 50 years old. It was originally used a decoration but has come to have much symbolism. The gesture of moving the tassel from left to right symbolizes one’s achievement of moving from candidate to graduate.

Why do graduates throw their caps in the air?
It is believed that tossing your cap “up to the heavens” started in 1912 at the U. S. Naval Academy’s graduation. This was the first time the newly commissioned officers received their officers’ hats at the actual graduation ceremony and no longer needed their midshipmen’s caps they’d worn for the last four years. To celebrate, they threw their old headgear in the air.

Why do we call diplomas “sheepskins?”
Originally, diplomas were written on actual sheepskin because early paper was very fragile and very difficult to make. But parchment, made from the skin of a sheep, goat or calf, was abundant and durable. Its ability to exist for a long time without significant deterioration made it ideal for a diploma.

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Universities all across the country have their very own traditions like hoop rolling, watch dropping and lighting the torch. But Texas State University has been dipping into the San Marcos River after commencement exercises since… well, I don’t know… apparently not too long. One article I read from The University Star dated the tradition back to Southwest Texas State University which would have been prior to 2003. I spoke to a 1986 graduate from SWTSU and he said the river jump was not a thing. My best guess is that this tradition started sometime between 1987 and 2003.

Nonetheless, traditions are important because they lend a sense of belonging to something. They represent a critical piece to a culture; they form structure and foundation to our society. Traditions help to bring people together and feel connected. They reinforce values and celebrate things that matter in life. Graduation traditions are no different. They are a vital avenue to pass values, morals, custom and culture from one generation to the next.

The post, Graduation Traditions, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

May

Graduation Attire

What is the proper high school graduation attire? Think about this. You are “walking the stage” in front of hundreds, maybe even thousands of people. This is your very first official chance to say to the world, “I am an adult. Hear me roar.”

You may think that just because you have on that long graduation gown, it doesn’t matter what you have on underneath. Ah, but it does.

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High School Graduation Attire

Bags. Leave all your bags at home. You simply don’t need them during the ceremony. If you’re from a larger high school, you’ll have to go through a security bag check. Cell phones and keys can easily be carried in pockets. Ladies, make sure to buy a dress or slacks with pockets. If you must carry a purse, consider a wristlet or very small clutch purse.
Shoes. Your shoes should not be brand new. Make sure they are worn in well and comfortable. You will be on your feet for hours. You want to enjoy your milestone and that will be nearly impossible if your feet are screaming at you. Ladies, six-inch stilettos are not necessary and actually create all kinds of chances for a freak and very embarrassing accident—I’m talking YouTube™ viral worthy. Choose shoes that are classy, timeless and sensible. Ballet flats or wedges are good options.
Dress. I recommend your dress not being any longer than your robe, especially if the color or pattern clashes with your robe. You want all the images of you receiving your diploma to look their best. They won’t if you have some sort of bright, crazy floral pattern sticking out from underneath your robe. Also consider the fabric (itchy is out), zipper placement and how tight it will be when you sit. Try to choose a dress that is sleek. Adding bulk under the robe will make you look less flattering. Remember to keep the weather in consideration too.
Slacks. Again, slacks should be a neutral color. Black, grey, beige and brown are all good, safe choices. Choose the color that complements the color of your gown the best.
Accessorize. Your senior ring is a must, but again, make all other jewelry choices with the long haul in mind. Choose pieces that are not trendy, but timeless. The less you “date” the images you’ll be taking on this special day, the better.
Hair/Makeup/Hands. Keep all three simple and sophisticated! Ladies, choose a hairstyle that isn’t fussy and gentlemen, make sure your cut is fresh and please don’t forget to shave. Choose a hairstyle that will work well with your graduation cap. Remember, you’ll be wearing this beauty for a few hours. Ladies, your makeup should be waterproof. You might cry and if you have an outdoor ceremony, there’s always a chance of rain. Your hands should be well groomed and manicured. You want to look your best as your reaching for that piece of paper you’ve worked 12 hard years to earn.
Regalia. Make sure to remember everything you’re going to need for the actual ceremony: cap, gown, tassel, medals, cords and stole.

Other Graduation Tips

Set an alarm. Don’t be late! Set an alarm (or two) especially if you have an early morning commencement exercise. Late students may be denied the opportunity to sit with their degree program or even walk.
Stay hydrated/bathroom break. Before you line up, make sure you are well-hydrated and be sure to take one last bathroom break before lining up for the ceremony.
Smile. Smile when your name is called, as you approach center stage and until you exit. Many people will be taking pictures of you and you want to look excited and happy!
Take it all in. As overwhelming as it is, try to pay attention to all the speeches. There will be some valuable life lessons in there for you. Enjoy the moment and bask in this crossroad. Otherwise, it will just be a blur that happened. You’ll want to remember this as clearly as possible. I promise.
Meeting plan. Prior to the ceremony, make a plan where to meet your family and friends after the ceremony. It might be a nightmare finding each other otherwise.
Camera. Make sure someone in your family brings more than their cell phone to capture your achievement and print these images. Don’t let them live on a computer hard drive forever. Always purchase at least one print from the professional photographer who covered the event for you.

The bottom line is that no matter how fashionable and trendy you normally are, this is one instance when you want to play it safe and dress in a more traditional and classic sense. You are now officially a young adult and this is your first chance to say it loud and proud to the world. Don’t flub it up by making some outrageous fashion statement. All eyes will be on you as you cross the stage to collect your diploma.

Relax!! Take a deep breath! This day is yours! You’ve earned this! You’ve got this! Congratulations!!

The post, High School Graduation Attire, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Mar

Senior Year Bucket List

I wished I had had a senior year bucket list in 1987. I’m always about trying to make the best out of my life experiences and a senior year bucket list would have helped. Undoubtedly, your senior year is the most memorable out of all your years in school. You are at the top of the food chain in the school, but you’re stuck somewhere between being an adult and being a kid. You have lots of responsibilities, but are still permitted to occasionally act childish. You have waited your whole life to get the heck out of this god forsaken town, and you want the first ticket out. You can hardly believe anyone who tells you this is the first place you’ll want when you get homesick. Make a senior year bucket list.

Your senior year will fly by! Before you know it, you’ve graduated and you and your closest friends have all scattered in different directions—many of which, you will only see at high school reunions. Time has a way of creeping up on you, making once important details fade to nothing. Nostalgia has a way of keeping you young at heart by remembering the past and wishing you could repeat it again. Here is a senior year bucket list of ten items to make the most of your senior year and to etch all those wonderful memories into your brain.

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Senior Year Bucket List

Have Fun: The most important thing you can do your senior year is have fun! Don’t skip out on team nights, prom, awards banquets, or any function that your friends will be at. Memories are so precious, so don’t miss an opportunity to make one.
Start an Address Book: Collect social profile handles, mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of all your closest friends and teachers/coaches. Despite how you feel right now, you will eventually want to reconnect with everyone who was important to you at this time. Make it easy for yourself and gather all the contact information now.
Be Thankful to Your Mentors: If there were special teachers or special coaches who connected with you and helped you navigate something personal or difficult, buy them a special gift and include a handwritten note. In the note, describe how much you appreciate their help and what it means to you. Let them know how their words of wisdom helped you to overcome an obstacle and how grateful you are. Teachers and coaches really have a selfless job. Let them know they are appreciated and valued.
Apologize: Apologize to anyone you may have hurt or wronged. If you don’t have the courage to do it face-to-face, consider buying a small gift (candy, soda, etc.) and writing a note. Without going into details, you can simply just say that you’re sorry for making someone else feel crummy. Back in my day, I made fun of someone who only owned one pair of designer jeans. I didn’t know the gravity of it until 20 years later at a high school reunion. After all those years, this person still felt hurt by my comment. I took the time to apologize. The ironic thing about this is that I probably owned only one pair of designer jeans as well. I’m sure this wasn’t the only time I made someone feel awful, so in the words of the infamous Maya Angelou, “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” Make someone feel special.
Pack Away Your Mementos: Pack away your ribbons, medals, plaques, certificates, t-shirts, love letters, pictures, newspaper clippings, programs, report cards, detention slips, school ID card, or anything else you’d like to save for later. Put them all in a box or plastic container and store them in your closet or attic. It’s so much fun to reminisce over these things years later. Having them all in one place will make the trip down memory lane a lot easier.
Plan a Best Friends Party: If you’re lucky, you have a big, special group of friends—girls and boys alike. Plan a special event for you all to enjoy each other’s company. A movie marathon, scavenger hunt, or fun 5k obstacle run are all good ideas. The mundane activities will disappear from your memory easier than the unique ones! Plan something fun!
Get Your Yearbook Signed: Get your yearbook signed by all your friends, your teachers, your coaches and even the people who you didn’t necessarily hang out with as much! Years later, it will be fun to read what they had to say. (Side Note: My senior yearbook was lost forever shortly after high school when it was in one of my best friend’s car when it was repossessed.)
Start a Journal and Print Your Cell Phone Pictures: Even if it’s just one sentence every day, start a journal now. Jotting down special events and memories will serve you well to remember them in the future. Memorialize all your special times, even if they are sad or disappointing ones. Journey (Android/Chrome), Day One (IOS) and Flava (Both) are all good apps to accomplish this. You also need to get those digital images off of your devices and print them. You will upgrade, lose, and break your digital devices. They will also fail you at one time or another. Print the images that are important to you and help to preserve your legacy. There is no better way to recall an important time in your past than by looking at a printed image! There’s also a ton of apps for this and some of them even claim to print your images for free.
Write a Letter to Your Best Friend: Write a very special note to your very best friend. Let them know how much fun you’ve had with them and how important it is to keep in contact with them. Detail some of the wild and crazy stuff you’ve done together and keep a copy for yourself. It will be so much fun to break this puppy out at your high school reunion. The two of you will laugh uncontrollably.
Write a Thank You to Your Parents: Lastly, your parents have spent the last 18 years changing your diapers, teaching you to walk and talk, tucking you in at night, playing Santa, Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny, taking you to first days of school, following you around watching you participate in extracurricular activities, talking you through crushes and first loves, witnessing all your achievements, and trying their best to mold you into a responsible human being. For most, it is very hard to let their babies go. Write them a very meaningful note letting them know you recognize their sacrifices and that you appreciate them. Let them know they’ve been a good parent and set a good example for you and you will continue to do your best to make them proud.

The post, Senior Year Bucket List, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Jan

Mistakes Seniors Make

While nothing can guarantee that your senior images will be exactly what you have pictured in your head, these tips will ensure they are as close to that as possible. There are some common mistakes that you’ll want to steer clear of. Here is my list of the top mistakes seniors make.

#1 Waiting too long to book your photographer.

The fix. Many times, I’m contacted too late. It takes time to plan and prepare for a session, professionally retouch the images, and finally design, order, receive and deliver the products. Be proactive and start looking for a senior photographer your junior year! Yes, at least a whole year early. Find several you like and follow them on all your social media networks, subscribe to their blog and newsletters, and stalk their web page. Style, consistency, personality and experience should all be determining factors. Pick a photographer that best matches the vision you have for your own portraits. Make contact and book your photographer early!! Waiting until you actually need the pictures will be too late! If you’re looking for a boutique portrait session experience, at the very least, allow five months before graduation to book your photographer. For best results, contact them at the start of your senior year.

#2 Not having a vision.

The fix. A lot of times, my senior clients don’t have any idea or vision for what they want their sessions to look like. At least, that’s what they tell me. I really think they’re just afraid to verbalize it. Know what personality traits, achievements and hobbies you want to document. Ask yourself what is important to you at this time in your life? What do you really enjoy? Don’t think you’ll appear shallow if you admit that you want to showcase your beauty. You are beautiful; tell the world! Create a mood board (Pinterest® is easy!) to convey the look and mood you want to capture in your senior portraits and share it with your photographer.

#3 Wanting things on Pinterest.

The fix. When you create this mood board, don’t get confused with feeling the need to copy and replicate shoots, poses or locations. Instead, allow your photographer the creativity to make the images other seniors will want to replicate. Make your sessions unique. Only use the Pinterest board as a tool to convey visual stimulation to your photographer.

#4 Not letting the photographer have creative control.

The fix. Not letting your photographer choose locations or have any input on your wardrobe really puts a damper on their creativity. I always feel a bit of a creative squash when I don’t get to exercise my imaginative process. Once you have created your mood board and verbalized what you’re expecting from the session, allow your photographer time to brainstorm and create a personalized experience. Make sure they are aware of everything you are planning on bringing to the session. Everything.

#5 Scheduling too many sessions.

The fix. Just because your photographer offers 17 sessions throughout the school year, doesn’t mean you have to purchase them. Plan out what you want to document. Ask your photographer how many sessions it will take to accomplish this. Hobbies, interests, achievements, collections, and family heirlooms are great things to be incorporated.

#6 Not diversifying their wardrobe choices.

The fix. Wearing the same types of clothes to three different locations really is not diversity. Consider wearing different styles of clothing at each session. Some options are formal clothing, dressy clothing, super casual clothing, winter clothing, summer clothing, beachwear and athletic uniforms.

#7 Not following the photographer’s advice.

The fix. If your photographer gives you advice, follow it. All of it. A photographer should give you a list of do’s and don’ts. Read through it. Study it. You should find a lot of valuable information. Follow that information to make your session memorable and pleasant. The advice will also make your images stunning and the best they can be.

#8 Not letting the photographer know about props.

The fix. Bringing your pet ostrich to the session without the photographer’s knowledge is really a bad idea. Make sure they know if you’re planning any props for you session. If you are bringing something as simple as a lucky rabbit’s foot, let the photographer know. The more they are able to prepare, plan, and visualize your senior session, the better it will be.

#9 Not letting the photographer know you don’t like something.

The fix. If the photographer is taking photographs from your bad side, let them know. If you’re unsure about how your gown is photographing, let them know. Worried about a blemish, bad hair, or too many spectators watching your session? Let them know. Don’t be afraid to tell the photographer you are displeased with any aspect of your session. If they’re professional, they’ll fix it.

I hope these tips help you to have the best possible senior portrait experience you can. If you follow them, they should improve your experience and your images by ten fold!

The post, Mistakes Seniors Make, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Dec

Why are Senior Portraits Important?

Why ARE senior portraits important? There are many milestones in life, but only a few really, really important milestones. I believe the most important milestones we have in life are birth, starting kindergarten, graduating high school, graduating college, marriage, creating a family and finally, death. Yes, to me death is also a milestone, not just a very happy one. Let’s get on with the rest.

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I believe that each of these milestones should be well documented. (A little morbid and maybe taboo, but yes, death too.) Do you know that Americans have been taking senior portraits since the 1800s? When you are in your final year in high school, you are right on the cusp of being a kid and becoming a young adult. Never again in life will you be viewed as a child. You have your whole future ahead of you and it’s in near reach. This is the beginning of the next chapter in your life. So, you ask, why ARE senior portraits so important? Let me tell you.

The Importance of your Senior Year Portraits

Sadly, for many people, this is the last time they will even have a portrait taken of themselves. This milestone is very important, because, well, statistically, you may not get another opportunity for a portrait. A senior portrait will not only preserve an era, but also give you something to exchange with your closest friends in high school. Too many times, you will never again be as close to the people you thought you’d never lose sight of.

Think of senior portraits as the preservation of history—a time capsule if you will. I often tell my clients to think their senior portrait images will be far more important to their great-grandchildren than they will be to them. I ask my clients to imagine their future generations pulling the portrait book off the shelf and thumbing through the images of their great-grandmother all the while commenting how beautiful and youthful she looked. Youthfulness is something to cherish and images from this milestone will provide a familial connection to your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and so on.

A senior portrait should not only capture your beauty, but also capture your personality, energy and document what you loved about this time in your life. This is your chance to show the world who you are in a creative way. Senior portraits should focus on you and what makes you unique.

Senior portraits are a custom and a bit of ceremony too. These senior portraits will help provide memories and keep those memories alive. The experience should make you feel special and like a million bucks! The moment should be all about YOU!

And finally, you can share these images with your present family too. Grandmas love these images!

Why are Senior Portraits Important?

This is the last year you’ll be surrounded by the closest friends you grew up with, the last year you’ll be at home and the last year you’ll be under your parents’ wings. You will never again see the world the way you do right now. Please be photographed and cover all your milestones! Until next time, be positive, happy, healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

The post, Why are Senior Portraits Important?, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Hi, I’m Tammy.
I'm a San Antonio-based wedding photographer for outdoor-loving couples who value real moments.

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