Let’s be honest—high school isn’t a movie.

You’re not walking down perfectly lit hallways in slow motion while a soundtrack plays. It’s more like: you’re running on 3 hours of sleep, trying to finish that one assignment you swore you’d do last night, dodging drama, and figuring out how to exist without totally losing it.

So if you’re just trying to survive high school right now, same.

Here’s a lil survival guide from someone who sees you, gets it, and is rooting for you:

📚 1. High School Is Not Your Entire Personality (and That’s Okay)

Getting good grades? Cool. But also: just passing? Also cool. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need to have your future fully mapped out by sophomore year.

Repeat after me: It’s okay to figure things out as you go. You’re not behind.

🧠 2. Protect Your Peace

Not every friend group is forever. Not every vibe deserves your energy.

Set boundaries. Take breaks from social media when it gets too loud. Say “no” to things that make your stomach turn. You’ll thank yourself later.

Also—mental health check: crying is normal. You’re not broken. You’re human. I've been there, as a Livonia family photographer who was in high school, I know how hard it is to want to fit in.

🍟 3. Romanticize the Little Stuff

• That one playlist you always put on after a long day.

• The vending machine snacks that hit just right.

• Laughing so hard with your friends, you can’t breathe.

  
  

Those tiny moments? They’re the real core memories. Don’t let them pass by unnoticed.

📸 4. Take the Picture. Yes, Even If You Feel Awkward.

Some of the best memories live outside your camera roll—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t document your life.

Get in the pic, even if your hair’s not perfect. Snap a photo with your bestie in the school parking lot. Take a mirror selfie before class. One day, you’ll look back and say, “Wow… that was me. That was my life. That was real.”

And when you're ready to take it to the next level, your girl Kelsey’s here to make sure it actually looks fire 🔥 (and not like your school ID).

❤️ 5. You Are More Than Enough

Seriously. You might not hear it enough, but you are doing better than you think.

Whether you’re crushing it, barely holding it together, or somewhere in between—it’s all part of the story. And your story? It matters.

So give yourself some grace. Drink water. Take a nap. Romanticize that iced coffee like it’s a personality trait. And don’t forget—this phase is temporary, but you are permanent.

Your Story Deserves to Be Seen

I work with high schoolers all across Michigan, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that every single one of you has something worth celebrating.

When you’re ready to capture this wild ride in a way that feels real (and not cheesy), I’m your Livonia senior photographer.

Kelseycharmayne Photography

📍 Livonia-based | Serving Metro Detroit + all the chill Gen Z vibes

📷 Portraits with heart, personality, and zero awkward energy

🌐 www.kelseycharmayne.com

📞 734-521-7535

📧 kelsey@kelseycharmayne.com

Let’s turn this season into something worth remembering. 💫