12 Classic Sorority Girl Photos

You probably predicted some of the photos you were going to see on here. And you probably have photos just like them. That just means you are rocking some classic sorority girl poses.

1. The skinny arm.
If you don't know this pose, then you're not a girl. You can usually spot this on girls at the end of group shots and in solo shots of girls showing off some attitude. Intended to make the arm and therefore the body appear thinner, the skinny arm has become a phenomenon amongst sorority girls everywhere. But sometimes we genuinely just don't know what else to do with our arms. Is the peace sign still cool?

2. Mirror selfie.
You know when you think you look so cute and your outfit is on point that you need to share it right away? This shot comes in handy when you're too embarrassed to ask someone to take a picture of you but you want to make sure your look is acknowledged that day.

3. Hugging photo.
Aw! This photo always looks adorable. It just screams cuteness and works for groups of all sizes (of at least two).

4. Hand sign.
On the beach, in a foreign country, or at bid day, you will find a plethora of these. No matter where you are, you want the world to know that a [insert sorority name] was here.

5. Selfie.
This had to be on the list and you know it. Whether it is of just you or with multiple friends, you have a lot of these photos. Some were funny Snapchats that your friends screenshotted, and some were intentionally attractive. And then there are those of you that upgraded to the selfie stick. Because that was a necessary addition to the world.

6. Candid.
The jig is up: your candid is carefully planned. In fact, you probably discussed it with your friends before you handed over your iPhone. But that's okay, because "candid" shots are always the cutest. Your laughter is usually coming from absolutely nothing but your impressive acting skills and your desire for likes on Instagram. But if your candid is genuine, then you've hit photography gold.

7. All facing one way (sometimes holding hands).
You're over the prom pics but not quite. This photo is perfect for groups of friends with the same good side. But honestly, this pose takes some skill. You can see I have not mastered it yet:

8. Entire sorority (especially all matching).
When an entire group of busy sorority women are together, you cannot pass up that photo opportunity. The best times for these photos range from big philanthropy events to formal recruitment week. How can you not want a photo with all of your beautiful sisters in matching outfits?

9. Big and little pose.
Cue the tears. The best love you can have is the love for your little. And that is why we all have this next photo. The descending height photo shows off your lineage so you can brag about how perfect your offspring is.

10. Laying on the ground in a circle.
Whether you're fake laughing (see: candid) or just smiling, the circle picture is a common sorority shot. It shows off some sisterhood in a unique style.

11. Duckface.
The infamous kiss-in-the-air shot is another classic. This pose has multiple purposes. We use it to show adoration for a fellow member of the photo or the viewer, to look cute, fierce, or goofy, and occasionally to go along with a frat point. The intent impacts the level of puckered-ness.

12. Sorority squat.
And finally, the srattiest of them all. The sorority squat is the instinctual pose for sorority girls in the front or middle of group photos (note the skinny arm as well).

No matter the pose, the memory is captured forever. Next time a camera points at you, give it your all and own that moment, girl!

Passion; The Key to Any Successful Career

This past Friday my fellow #sgt blogger,  Ali Faccenda’s, posted a blog entitled “Adjusting Your Sails and Changing Your Future”. (Note: If your have not read this post I highly suggest you do, it is an great piece that many college students can relate to).

After reading her moving piece about changing your career goals, I started thinking about my journey to discovering what I wanted to do as a profession.

Like many people, as a child, I wanted to be everything from a teacher to a marine veterinarian (and several things in-between).

While at different parts of my life, I wanted to be different things, and I am beyond lucky to have the opportunity to dream big.

I am not going to lie, it was a long road to get to this sort of certainty, and over time, I became wise enough to realize that just like a good pair of boots or a significant other, sometimes you need to find a few wrong ones before you find the right one.

 I am blessed to able to tell you the exact moment when I realized exactly what I wanted to be.

In my junior year of high school I was lucky enough to take my photo class. At this point, the walls of bedroom were collaged (I am not exaggerating) with photos. Needless to say, I was excited. 

On the first day, our teacher, Mr. Cronk, took us on a tour of the classroom and the darkroom. On the tour he stopped in front of a large poster of Ansel Adam’s (my favorite photographer) El Capitan photograph.

I was forever changed.

It was that moment where I knew that if I could inspire the emotions that I received looking at that beautiful photograph, I would be happy. I knew from then on that I wanted inspire people with my art, I wanted to be able to provoke the same kinds of emotional response that I felt looking at that picture.

While I knew what I wanted, it wasn't easy to convince others. My stepfather refused to let me apply to art school and consistently told me that I would never find a job and make money as photographer. He told me that my "passion" for photography could only be a hobby, and nothing more. 

I ended up going into Pace University with a Childhood Education Major. After my stepfather was out of the picture after my first semester freshman year, I changed my major to Media Communications and Journalism, with a photo minor. 

I was lucky enough to have a major where I was able to still help foster my ultimate goal of being a photographer (ideally, a photojournalist). 

A bachelors and Master's degree later, I am happy in my first post grad job as a photo editor, and I am hoping someday to be able to go back to school and get a photography degree, for me. 

What I realized during this self reflection is that every person needs to decided for themselves what they want and cannot let others redirect and smoother your passion. 

The key word is PASSION- if you want a career where you don't dread going to work everyday you have to allow your passion lead you into the right career.

The moral of the story is, whatever you decide to do as a career should align with your passions and that is your decision, and no one else’s. Don't worry if your don't know what is, you will figure it out. Don't worry if you change your mind mid degree- you will be fine. Just do something that excites you!