Not too long ago, a photographer friend of mine invited me to help her out for the day (i.e. someone to carry all the equipment and drive). Selflessly, I agreed (i.e. I was bored and there was nothing on TV), and I learned a very valuable lesson that day:
There is nothing a person won't do for the perfect picture.
Nothing.
All schools have their superstitions and ours is not exempt. The main one is that, if you step on the school seal, located in the most foot-trafficked part of campus, you will never graduate. This is furthered by the fact that usually, the seal is roped off to ensure the safety of students who want to be able to leave college in four years.
At UCF, we take this superstition seriously. It's not a joking matter to step on that seal; you won't find funny vines of people pretending to almost walk on it. One toe touches that seal, and you've basically met your doom.
Yet, the photographer's client, who had not graduated, willingly stepped on the seal, while we watched from above to get the best picture. Of course she was assured by her good grades, and knew she'd be graduating in a few days, but it didn't rid the anxiety any less.
I've seen some of the most insane graduation photos, and while they do come out amazing, I always wonder how that person managed to gather the courage to take the risk that led to that shot.
There are photos of almost-graduates standing on top of buildings, paddle-boarding in their gowns, and even wrestling alligators!
OK, maybe I haven't found a photo of someone decked out in their graduation finery wrestling an alligator. But I'm sure it's out there.
They say some of the biggest risks have some of the highest pay offs, but I have yet to see how a great photo is attached to that. Sure, you get a cool memory, and proof of it, but more than likely, won't that super cool picture end up at the bottom of the drawer?
For instance, in a normal desk job, when you're lining up photos of your smiling family, your degree on the wall, I don't think you riding off on the back of that horse statue is going to make it there. More than likely, you've decided it's too immature, it's not part of the new you, or, just the same, it wasn't worth the trouble.
I guess I just don't understand doing crazy stunts just for a picture. There's plenty of other ones you can easily take. Are they a little tried and true? Sure, but most things in life are.
But at least there's not a risk of you, I don't know, breaking your neck in the process. It takes a lot of effort to get that four-year degree, don't spoil it by being outright dumb, all because you want that one shot that you believe will change your life.
Spoiler alert: Your life is going to change with or without that crazy picture.
