Don’t let the slackening of your formerly rigid schedule fool you. This summer is not all about reminiscing before your friends head off to separate schools. Preparation for adulthood is key.

For some, that means catching up on your summer reading. You’re going to be reading-and typing-a lot soon. You might as well train your brain to get used to it.

Get a temporary job or keep the one you have, if you can. Unless you grew up with Daddy Warbucks (that would make you orphan Annie!), there’s no reason to sit at home watching re-runs of The Real Housewives of Orange County, or Basketball Wives, or any other show about wives. That won’t do you any good.

It’s time realize that adults pay for their own meals (hence the Era of Ramen Noodles), their own books, and their own gas. All of these essentials will make you want to kiss mom and dad’s feet and beg for money. That’s ok. But it’s also okay to adapt to this new life of non-luxury by saving up some cash.

Finally, enjoy what little childhood you have left. It’s going to be kaput in a matter of months. Before you know it, you’ll be wondering where your free summers went. We wish you well on your new grown up life. You’ll soon learn that despite these challenges, and maybe because of the memories they make, you’ll still adore college.

They were, by far, one of the easiest couples to shoot. Just take a look at their photos. The love they have for one another was obvious during the photo session and this love seamlessly translates through the photos. Shot in the Central West End, and at St. Louis University where they attended college together, the ease they have with one another made photographing them effortless.

They both have lovely personalities and we shared laughs during the shoot. Nikki went a step further to win us over by literally taking all of SSP’s advice given to her for a successful shoot to heart, from the shoes and make up to the clothes. It’s clear Nikki is ready to marry the love of her life, Sandeep, and we’ll be there to document their wedding in Chicago later this month.

Remember, no matter how limited you feel your options are dream bigger. Don’t let the expectations of everyone else around you hold you back. Don’t let complacency ruin whatever passion you have as you leave school. And don’t let the cynics around you fool you. They may pretend not to care or may not actually care. But there are reasons for you to follow your dreams, as corny as that may sound. One of the reasons is that you don’t want to wake up one day and wonder why you didn’t pursue the life you actually wanted. You’ll look at some quote about how trying and failing was better than never trying at all and it will resonate with you. Don’t waste time before it finally resonates.

It’s not going to be easy. It is equal parts hard work and luck. While you’re working your way up, network. I mean, network, network, network. Your dreams aren’t all about passion. It’s about wanting it more than other people want it for you. It’s about not caring what the detractors say, or the people who love you but don’t understand you say, or what you think a few of your failed endeavors may say about you. Keep going. Remember that the things worth your time and effort are the things that will probably make you swear and cry.

Then, remember that if a Kardashian can be successful, you can be successful.

When you pick the right guy, life changes for the better. With Mr. Right, things run smoother and make sense. It’s the same with flowers. Picking the right blossoms can change the mood. You can create a classic mood with creams or flushed pinks, an energetic mood with pops of vivid color, or a calm but brilliant mood with cooler shades like lavender. Flowers speak to what your evening’s mood will be and how much detail a couple has put into a wedding.

Flowers that clash, on the other hand, give off the impression that the wedding details were untended to. They create an atmosphere of shabby without the chic.

One need not spend a fortune on the flowers to set the right ambiance. Even a few simple flowers that are carefully chosen can do wonders, while a full set of odd choices can ruin whatever impression you’re actually trying to build. Consider the season, what flowers you’re a fan of and what the theme of your wedding is and work from there.

One of the last things you want is for people to talk about the awful decor instead of your blossoming, marriage.

The friendship continued through Facebook, as it often does now-a-days. Fast forward two years and Mohammad must have continued to like the photos he was seeing on his Facebook feed, because he came calling.

We were delighted to shoot Mohammad’s senior portraits. This is a guy’s guy who loves sports, particularly football, and we’re sure that had no bearing on his decision to attend Mizzou in the fall.

His senior portraits were taken in beautiful, old St. Charles and the session was hectic. This amazing soul took it all in stride, joking and ready to try anything as we ran around.

While the photo shoot had a lot of running around, we’re sure the only direction this nice guy’s heading is up. Take note, world! Mohammad knows what he likes when he sees it, and he doesn’t hesitate to let it be known.

But fear of the unknown isn’t reserved for unseen monsters and shadows. Fear of the unknown can be good because it often accompanies situations that are good for us. When we graduate, we fear leaving the comfort and familiarity of school. We’re leaving the monotony and scheduling of classes. We’ve made friends and joined clubs, and suddenly we leave that all behind to start a new life elsewhere. But the only way to progress is to move on.

Sometimes we leave for another school and sometimes it’s to look for work, which all seems daunting.

If we’re lucky to begin that new job, again we’re riddled with the anxiety of a new environment. Will my co-workers and boss like me? Will I ease into things easily? Is this a good change? All of these questions circulate in our minds like clothes in the dryer. But doing things the easy way isn’t what’s always best for our professional lives either.

The concerns don’t end at work and school. When love enters the picture and marriage is on the plate, doubt creeps in. Happiness and loyalty are questioned, as does a life of what “as long as we both shall live” looks like. Putting your trust in someone else and intertwining your future with another human being is not effortless. But a lifetime together is its own brand of work and effort is what leads to success.

All of these things are worth the risk and fear. The greatest thrills in life come often happen after you endure what comes after. We scream for our lives in anticipation and fear before the roller coaster dips. But we go, arms raised and screaming, because we know the fear is worth the results.

The thrill seekers will probably tell you that their hearts practically jump out of their chest before they leap from that airplane and eventually pull the cord for the parachute. They look down from that airplane door and question what the heck they’re doing. But when they take a leap of faith, literally, the thrill and joy of floating down towards earth seems to put things in perspective.

It’s only after we’ve taken that leap of faith that we can appreciate what we’ve done.

Here are a few lessons everyone can learn from the big day that will help make the marriage work.

Don’t just leave the exchange of vows at the wedding alter. Remind your partner how much you love them as often as possible. It sounds corny, but it never hurts to hear someone say it.

It’s unlikely you’ll be able to act like newlyweds years down the line, but try to produce those sweet moments time and again. Dance with one another even when you’re alone. Hold hands. Dress up for fun. Anything you did on the big day should be something you can do later on in your marriage.

Don’t forget your family and friends. You may get caught up in your own relationship, but they’ve been there for you from day one. Let them know they’re important to you and that you’re grateful for them.

Like the wedding day, things don’t always turn out the way you planned, no matter how much time you spend over the details. Remember that marriage will also have unplanned bumps along the road, but try to handle it with grace and keep your eyes on the bigger picture. Remember what’s important.

]]> http://sofiseckphotography.com/lessons-from-weddings/feed/ 0 http://sofiseckphotography.com/shooting-seniors-portraits/ http://sofiseckphotography.com/shooting-seniors-portraits/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 20:15:56 +0000 sofi_admin http://sofiseckphotography.com/?p=1058 Have you ever had to meet someone and then be totally comfortable with them and pretend you’ve known them forever? Then, of course, you had to bring out the best in them?

Capturing the spirit of someone in front of a lens is no easy task. And with a small window of time, the challenge of accomplishing this feat becomes that much more daunting. But it’s not impossible. The moments may be fleeting or they may come in droves, but we capture them.

The photographer and photographed are locked in a waltz during the shoot. When the photographer does the job right, they bring out the best in their subject. In turn, the person being photographed looks best when they are relaxed and have fun with it.

The backdrop can only do so much. Like the waltz, one partner can look as graceful as a professional dancer, but if the other isn’t involved, they might as well be wrestling. But working together in step can produce those beautiful results everyone is looking for.

Now let’s go make beautiful photography together.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the wedding album.

Those memories you were actually able to hold on to begin to fade and the importance of those moments caught in a photograph intensify. As time passes, the photos begin to look different to you. Their significance grows and they become the remaining artifact from one of the most special times of your life.

It’s only fair that they are kept safe in a wedding album. Digital albums and Facebook aren’t the same! Like a book, there’s just something different about holding a wedding album in your hands. Turning the pages with loved ones is an experience in itself. The most important things in your life should be kept in a safe place.

The memories of your wedding day are no different. As time passes and your recollections depend on your photos, that wedding album makes all the difference in the world. It’s a priceless asset, because the beauty of those special moments in photographs never diminishes with time.

Looking for an urban feel, the photos were shot on Lindell Boulevard. But if her photos look city tough, her personality couldn’t have been more country sweet.

Maybe working at the Hilton has given this 25 year old plenty of opportunities to laugh stressful situations off, because we couldn’t help but notice how playful and full of laughter her session with SSP was.