As the school year draws to a close there are a number of "brand new" adults out there with out a clue of where to go next. LOL I remember being in that same boat several years ago. I had graduated high school, stayed out with friends celebrating, and woke up in the morning with the sudden realization that I was now on my own. There was no longer the requirement of school, no more worries about the kind of grades that I had to bring home to stay in good graces with my parents and grandparents. I was FREE! It was an amazing feeling, for about 30 seconds. Then the fear set in. What was my next step? Where do I go from here? and the big question, Now what?
I am sure that as the seniors finish graduating this week that there are a number of them that are in the same boat. They have no idea what they want to do next and have no clue where to begin. However there are those that are currently packing their bags, telling Mom and Dad thanks, grabbing a camera and jumping out for the next adventure.
I think that it is important that each graduating senior have a goal, or an idea of where they want to go next. I think that we as parents should still be giving a bit of guidance at this point... One last time before they spread their wings. It is sad when a senior has no plan and no idea where to go next. All of the seniors that I have meant in one way or another have amazing talents. Some are caring, others extremely technical, some are athletic, and of course there are some that are great at anything that they try. The sad part is that they themselves do not see it. They do not see the talents that they have and have no idea what they could do with them.
As a senior I had an interest in photos, but film was expensive and I was not one that would "waste money" on film for no reason. However I was the kid with the camera for every event that I went on, and I always used my camera to document my life, the parts I never wanted to forget. I am thankful that I had the camera in hand thru high school. I have amazing pictures of my friends, and all the crazy things we did while at FFA functions, band competitions, and Friday night football games. These are memories that I have preserved, and now years later I can look back on and share (the less embarrassing ones) with my husband and my children. Which is something that I love to do. I wish that I had realized sooner how much I loved being behind the camera, and how much more I could have done with what I had at the time.
I wish someone would have pointed out the less obvious talents that I had to me, given me a push or suggestion in what way to go. Instead I just kind of flapped in the wind for several years til I got it figured out. I believe that the best gift we can give these seniors is the acknowledgement and support of their talents, and to encourage them to hone these talents.
The seniors that I have photographed for the most part all had a cell phone with them and I am sure that many of them take at least one selfie a day with it, however they put themselves in front of my camera and they became very shy, and self aware. It was hard to get a smile or a laugh, and took some time to get them to relax and to just be themselves. But once they did I saw some amazing things. I saw their interests, and talents and their personalities come out. It was truly amazing to see something like this. After photographing this and seeing it before my eyes it makes me wonder how many of these young adults could be amazing photographers, and just what they could do next in life.
If there is one bit of advice that I could give to each and every senior graduating is to take a look at your talents, and what you enjoy the most. Don't follow the crowd, and don't just flap in the wind. Take something that you love, develop it and run with it. Never let someone tell you that you can't make it with what ever you choose. You CAN and WILL make it, as long as you choose to make it work and want to make it work. If you want to be happy do what you feel you are best at. Don't take years to figure it out like I did. Run with it now and you will never regret it!
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