Jessica Shipman, Author at Shipman Photos

Are Guys Allowed to be Themselves?

Jessica Shipman — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 19:32:31 +0000

America is in love with individuality. It’s a place filled to the brim with people pushing the limits of social norms. It’s a place where we tell our kids that they can be anything they want to be. It’s a place filled with opportunities and choices, and where society is more accepting than ever before. The variety of lifestyles someone can choose from in America is unprecedented in the history of the world.

Love it or hate it, one thing we get out of such an openminded culture is the knowledge that our kids can be themselves. Conformity is out and individuality is in. They’re free to be as creative and innovative as they want, and they can let their unique personalities shine through. And with younger Americans being more openminded than ever, our teenagers should feel at ease to be themselves. Key word: they should. But do they?

Consider the stereotypes of average teenagers today. Can you think of one all-encompassing stereotype for the “ideal” girl? Probably not, because there are so many different ways for girls to express themselves. Some go for the glamorous look and wear curled hair and high heels to school every day. Some feel more comfortable simply in jeans and a t-shirt, while others go for an artsy/hipster/bohemian vibe. These are just a few of the many ways for girls to express themselves, and each variety is just as accepted as the next. Girls can be interested in art, sports, science, or music, without it having any effect on their social status. And whether they wear a lot of makeup, none, or somewhere in between, society continually reinforces the message that their self-expression is beautiful.

It’s awesome that girls are so encouraged to be themselves, but do boys get that same message? In theory, maybe, but in practice? As a recent graduate of an American public high school, I can tell you that the answer to that question is a resounding “no.”

For teenage guys, unfortunately, there is really only one lifestyle that the other kids at school will accept. Boys are constantly bombarded with the idea that the “ideal guy” is sporty and doesn’t care too much about anything. It’s okay to be smart, just not too smart. It’s okay to watch the new Star Wars movies, but talking about fan theories crosses the nerdiness line. Do you see the problem here? Girls have gained so much ground in the realm of self-expression, but we haven’t caught up in empowering our boys. So many of them are scared to really be themselves because straying away from the social norm can be devastating to their image, and by extension, their self-confidence. And it’s not just a mindset, either. It’s a reality that is physically present. Have you ever walked into a store and noticed how incredibly bland the men’s clothing section is? Girls have all the variety imaginable to dress themselves with, while guys are stuck with the same few options. The idea that guys should all be the same is subtly but firmly reinforced everywhere we go.

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way. Society is always in flux, and over time, we can reframe the way boys are taught about expressing themselves. By showing them that we appreciate and value their individuality, we can create a world in which they are just as free to express themselves as girls are. How boring would the world be if everyone was just the same? And how unhealthy is it for people to keep their real selves buried? Let’s make sure to let boys know that they can be authentic too.

If you found this article interesting, please share so that other people can have this information too! Thanks for reading!

-Jessica

The post Are Guys Allowed to be Themselves? appeared first on Shipman Photos.

Is Your Senior College Ready? Read Our 7 College Readiness Tips

Jessica Shipman — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 14:40:41 +0000

So it’s finally time… senior year. Your baby is all grown up. By now, they have three years of high school under their belt, so they should be a pro at this, right? They shouldn’t run into anything they haven’t handled before, except of course college applications, scholarship essays, senior trips, senior skip day, senior pictures, and… *gulp*… graduation. Stressed out yet? Not to worry. Have your senior follow these tips, and the final months of high school should be a breeze.

1. Apply to colleges ASAP

I know it’s tempting to put it off, but deadlines come up sooner than you think and you don’t want to be caught off guard. Most schools let students start applying the summer before their senior year, so you can get a head start on applications then and not have to worry about deadlines sneaking up on you once school starts.

2. Meet with a high school counselor

There are a lot of details that go into graduation requirements and college applications, and your high school counselor is your best resource for making sure that everything is in order. They can even help with career advice, choosing a major, and setting you up with scholarships that you didn’t even know existed!

3. Take that last ACT

Nobody likes taking the ACT, but it never hurts to do it again. Colleges rely heavily on ACT scores for admissions and financial aid purposes, and raising your score by even just one point can make a huge difference when scholarship money is being handed out.

BONUS TIP: Try to take it before winter break so you can update your scores on your applications on time!

4. Don’t forget the FAFSA!

Who doesn’t like free money? FAFSA is a free application for grant money from the federal government to help pay for college, and the money does not have to be paid back. It’s usually awarded to families with the greatest financial need, but there’s no set income cutoff, so every student should still apply. You never know what can happen! I’ve met college kids who’ve paid for almost all of their school that way. You can find a link to the FAFSA website here.

5. Have the financial aid conversation

Money is a tricky topic for sure, and some families are more comfortable talking about money than others. But regardless of where your family falls on that spectrum, college is expensive, and getting everyone on the same page about financial aid ahead of time will save everyone a lot of stress later.

6. Apply for scholarships!

Scholarships are about so much more than just grades and test scores. If you’re good at something, there’s probably a scholarship for it. There are scholarships for specific groups of people, too: redheads, children of railroad workers, etc. Whatever group of people you fit into, there’s probably a scholarship for it somewhere. You never know unless you apply!

Bonus tip: use a scholarship search engine to help you find those oddly specific scholarships that probably won’t be on a university website.

7. Stop and smell the roses

Senior year is a whirlwind of activity from start to finish, but don’t get so caught up preparing for next year that you forget to live in the moment. High school is short and you’ll miss it once it’s gone, so take in every minute and enjoy the ride

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5 Tips for Fun Senior Pictures Without the Stress

Jessica Shipman — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 19:16:04 +0000

We get it. With tests, graduation, and college applications coming up, senior pictures might not be the first thing on your mind. But they’re an important part of your high school experience, so follow our 5 tips to make them more meaningful and stress free than you ever thought possible.

1. Take them seriously

If you’re like most high school students, you’re probably rolling your eyes at the idea of having pictures taken of you, but that’s no reason to skimp out and do them halfway. Family and friends are going to see these pictures for the rest of your life. Grandma is going to unwrap them at Christmas, the cousins that you only see once a year will get them in the mail, and you know that your mom is going to show them to everyone at the office. They’re going to go all over the place, so make them something you’re proud of!

2. Incorporate your passion

Senior pictures don’t have to be boring. Are you a student athlete? Musician? President of the debate club? #1 fan of a TV series? Any of these things can be incorporated into your portraits. It doesn’t matter how off the wall you think it is. If you have a passion, let it show! The more unique your pictures are, the more you’ll enjoy having them done, and the more you’ll want to look back on them later. Let them represent who you are!

3. Choose the right photographer

Having someone take pictures of you for an extended period of time can feel a little awkward if you’re not completely comfortable with the photographer. You may be tempted to just suck it up and deal with it, but keep in mind, the photographer’s job is to create art that represents you. How can they do that if they don’t make you feel comfortable to show them who you are? That’s why it’s so important to choose a photographer that meshes well with you. They need to be able to make your personality shine through in your pictures!

4. Don’t wait until the last minute.

We’ve all been there. You wake up and realize that graduation is nearly here, but you still have a million things to do (and 6 more tests to take) beforehand. You go into panic mode trying to get everything ready, but you keep getting more and more frustrated. The place where you get your hair cut is booked until after graduation, and there’s no way you can get your senior pictures done in time to submit them for the senior slideshow.

Yeah… we’re guessing you probably want to make sure that doesn’t happen to you this year. So don’t wait until the last minute, and book your senior portraits early! We can’t promise that you’ll be able to get in for that haircut… but at least your hair will be on point in your photos.

5. Share with your friends

You put in the work, now it’s time for the reward! Now that you have awesome pictures, show them off to everyone you know!

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