I’ve always enjoyed living life through my camera lens. In high shool, specifically in theater, I almost always had a camera around my neck. The reason I love to take photos is because it captures the moment forever. I will always be able to look at the moment and see the emotions of everyone’s faces, even long after those people have escaped my life. I captured hundreds of moments throughout my four years and I’m so glad I was able to do that, whether I was the one taking the picture or not. Here are 10 moments I’m thankful for having my camera with me.
1. One of the first times I saw young love
I was watching this couple from afar backstage during a show my sophomore year. They had been best friends for years and we always kind of knew they'd end up together. He had a big scar on his face from stage makeup and she was still looking at him like he was one of the most handsome men she'd ever seen. I could just see the love in their eyes so I had to take a photo that maybe one day they'll be able to look at and smile.
2. When I was a sophomore and I gave my seniors their departing gifts
On Costume Crew, we always made some sort of gift to give the graduating seniors before they left. We made them shadow boxes this year. This picture is extra-special to me because she's my cousin, the one who encouraged me to join Costume Crew in the first place.
3. My last hell night
These two meant the most to me at the end of my theater career. This photo was after our dinner on the last night of rehearsals for the musical my senior year. She was my best friend and he and I were kind of dating. They were both juniors and when I snapped this photo, I just remember thanking God that they'll have each other the next year. I felt like I was leaving each of them in good hands.
4. After a show when cast members were singing "Come on Eileen"
After (and before) performances in high school theater, we always had music playing to keep everyone in high spirits. Everyone always sang along to whatever was playing and that was one of the only places you could sing as loud as you wanted to without anyone bothering to judge.
5. Closing night of my last show
One of our many traditions in the theater was for seniors to write letters to the underclassmen that they're going to miss the following year. These two girls were on Costume, Hair and Makeup Crew with me just a grade below me. We all became extremely close over the years and this moment sums up the emotions I was holding in my heart when writing those letters.
6. My last cast party
One of the most honorable traditions for seniors was to give speeches at our last cast party. Despite the name of this tradition called "Cry Fest," I'm so glad to have captured one of the moments where there were happy tears being shed. Sure, it was sad that seniors were saying goodbye, but we were also reminiscing from the past to make it easier to let go.
7. My graduation party
At first, I was really upset that it was supposed to rain the day of my grad party. My little cousin was having so much fun running through the rain and jumping in the puddles that we couldn't let the rain ruin the day. I'll never forget what I was thinking when I was taking this photo. She'll remember this moment everytime she sees this picture. There are photos of me playing in a sprinkler in my clothes when I was close to her age and that is still one of my fondest childhood memories.
8. My dad and my little cousin decided to arm wrestle
I'm not sure who won, but this was a really sweet moment. When my cousin was a baby, my dad sneezed scared her with his sneezing--while she was asleep--and for a few years, she was scared of him. The joy on everyone's faces makes me so happy, there's not much else to say.
Without my camera, I wouldn’t have been able to capture the beauty in the raw emotions that were otherwise looked past within seconds.
