Last weekend, we had our first 70 degree day in southwest Wisconsin. We’ve lived in West Bend for three years now, but it’s our first spring with a house and yard of our own. It’s so nice to have a space like this – especially while we’re quarantined away.
Is it a normal part of quarantine for a 25-year-old to pretend to be a high school senior for the sake of taking photos? I don’t know. What is normal anymore?
There was no way we were going to sit around the house on such a beautiful spring afternoon. We have been dying to take some senior pictures, but since COVID-19 has put a damper on basically everything fun, it was my turn to be the model. I got way too dressed up for quarantine and Joe took a turn as the lead photographer.
Mandy, my hair gal, posted an Instagram story about putting her strip lashes on underneath of her real lashes, and though I haven’t put on falsies in years, I was determined to test it out.
AND IT WORKED!
Folks, I was so impressed with myself that I knew a profesh photo shoot was in order. Once I finished the rest of my makeup, I tried to find something fun to wear. Turns out, most of the clothes in my closet are at least five years old (or mega-casual… or something I’ve already worn in a photo shoot), so finding something trendy enough that I could pass as a 17-year-old felt impossible. Lucky for me, this dress turned up in the back of my closet. I haven’t ever worn it because it’s pretty big (I don’t even come close to “filling it out,” if ya know what I mean), but with an extra tight belt and careful posture, it became the perfect “senior session” dress.
As I was on my way downstairs, Joe walked by and I broke out into uncontrollable laughter. I am talking REAL TEARS. This outfit was so “extra” for quarantine – and for me in general. My go-to outfit is jeans, Vans, and a graphic tee. Definitely not sun hats. Ever.
I’m usually on the other side of the camera, but most people we photograph are also a bit uncomfortable having their photos taken. Understandably so. It was time for me to take my own advice:
If you can’t “feel yourself,” pretend to be someone else.
In other words, if you aren’t feeling confident in your own skin, think of someone you know who is. Maybe it’s a friend of yours or a character in a movie (Cheryl Blossom from Riverdale is one of my faves) – whoever it is, channel the hell out of them. Do what they would do, and not what you would do. If I was “me” in this “senior session,” I wouldn’t have been able to move. My smile would have been awkward and I would have been doing all those shy-person things – like totally avoiding the camera.
But with a new(-ish) outfit, some good lashes, and the confidence I channeled from a TV character, these photos are some of my favorites yet. It has been a MINUTE since I’ve been this excited about pictures of myself. Just, please, never show up to a session with chipped, dark purple nail polish.
Class of 2021: We are counting down the days until we get to goof around with you and give you the senior photo experience you deserve. Times are funky, there’s no denying it. Your final year will be what you make it, so Facetime your friends, toss some (biodegradable) confetti in your backyard, and CELEBRATE all that you’ve accomplished.
