This whirlwind of emotions and all the accompanying end of year activities can make it almost impossible to capture the stories of the High school wrap up- especially in light of the fact that parents are so embarrassing when we take photos! You know, the same photos they ask us to text them after we have been told to stop with the camera already?
Well my friend, over the next few weeks, I am here to arm you with some gorilla tactics to win this Memory Keeping Minefield- and today we are going to go a little Sun Tzu:
Arm the Enemy With Your Best Weapons.
Yep. The plan here is to get your teen to take the photos for you!
They already have a camera (that’s weapon #1)
Now arm them with this checklist of photo ops- and you will get some terrific shots that you never would have been in range to snap- and you get a peek inside what is really important to them. Bonus: When they get a chance to take it all in and reflect back on these fast forward days, they will love LOVE that they got these photos!
Bribery in the form of Uber Eats, cash, etc. is perfectly acceptable. It is also only fair to promise NOT to post any of these photos if you teen doesn’t want you to. These are moments for you to both remember- not necessarily share. Remember- the day is really about them- and as much as we feel- this is their goodbye. And it’s a hard one. All we can really ask for is that we can share looking at it through their eyes and hearts.
- Classroom Memories: Snap a photo of your favorite classroom or a place where they spent a lot of time during senior year, whether it’s a science lab, art studio, or English classroom.
- Locker Contents: take a pic of inside and outside your locker, the books, the photos, the notes, the mess- it’s all good! Bonus point if it’s a selfie and double bonus if you get your locker mate in it too!
- Favorite Teacher: take a photo with your favorite teacher or mentor!
- Senior Crowds: Take shots of seniors in common areas like the cafeteria or other hangouts, the goal: capturing the energy and vibe of the final days.
- Yearbook Signing: Grab shots of when Seniors yearbooks are handed out and everyone signs. Put that camera overhead and be sure to get crowd shots!
- Senior Pranks: If there are any lighthearted senior pranks or traditions happening, be sure to take a few shots!
- Group Photo: get a group shot with the ones you hang out with, whether it’s during lunchtime or in the hallway or before class!
- Last Lunch: Capture the final lunch period of senior year, whether it’s a packed cafeteria or a picnic in the courtyard.
- Hallways: Take photos of empty hallways between classes, and then a few of the crowded halls between classes.
- Graduation Gown Fittings: Document the excitement of trying on graduation gowns and caps.
- Outside Shots: Take a few shots of your favorite parts of the school building.
- Senior Memorabilia: Capture photos of any senior memorabilia, such as class shirts, mementos- are there Senior Boards in school? Snap those pics so you don’t lose them.
- Senior Sunset/Sunrise: If there’s a senior sunset or sunrise event planned, be sure to capture the moment, the crowd and a few selfies.
- Homeroom: Take a photo of your Homeroom empty and with your classmates..
- Senior Parking : Document the senior parking, capturing the rows of cars. Bonus points if you get shots of the last day with decorated cars!
- Senior Walk: Take photos during the senior walk, where graduating seniors parade through the halls one last time, reminiscing about their time in high school.
- Senior Cap Decorations: Are you decorating your cap? Take a few photo of the process- and a selfie with the final result!
- Senior Skip Day Shenanigans: It’s part of the graduation tradition- be sure to take the photos so you can always remember the fun of it all!
- Graduation Practice: Finally, when it come down to graduation practice, don’t be shy. Take the photos- maybe even a few videos.
Love this idea? – you can download a PDF to share with your Grad [ here ] Pro tip- print it out, and screenshot this page to text to them! Even if they only take a few of the shots suggested- it’s a win for them and you! Be sure to help the cause by commenting with any ideas of your own! Good luck soldier!