Say Cheesy: How Do You React to Yearbook Photographers?

We love reading about the lives of other editors. Especially ones who have folders and folders of digital blackmail, like jgrundzy. —SparkNotes editors

Having somehow found myself the yearbook editor (probably due to an oversight on the school’s part), I have spent much of this year with my face stuck behind the lens of a camera. This has given me time to make some observations. I have discovered that, when it comes to pictures and cameras, there are only five types of people in the world:

The Ignorer: These people see you with the camera. You can tell they have seen you because when you begin taking pictures, they stare resolutely at their wall/floor/desk until you leave. They (wrongly) believe that you want pictures of them in their “natural habitat,” which basically involves them ignoring the camera in you hands. The Ignorer will only appear in the yearbook once, and the picture will be of the top of his head.

The Hider: These people see you with a camera, and they are terrified. When you begin taking pictures, they will make themselves as small as possible in the hopes that you will somehow mistake them for a small lump of clothes on a desk. Their faces will remain hidden behind a textbook until you leave the room. The only part of them that will appear in the yearbook is a stray hand that you accidentally forgot to cut out of a picture.

The Diva: You will know if these people see you with a camera, and you will regret it. Upon your arrival, The Diva will be relieved that the Universe has finally realized that his/her life is worthy of a own personal photographer (you). The next 20 minutes will be filled with such phrases as “Make sure you get my good side,” or, “Oh, I look SO terrible in pictures,” all said in a loud voice intended to get the attention of anyone in the vicinity. After taking 67 pictures of the diva in every imaginable pose, you will be so annoyed that you will refuse to use any of the pictures in the yearbook (except maybe that one where his/her eyes are closed).

The Clown: Like The Diva, The Clown is also thrilled that you have a camera—but only because it gives her an excuse to goof off without getting in trouble. She will then proceed to make a funny face, or make someone else make a funny face, or put the person nearest to her in a headlock. Her picture will go in the yearbook, because everyone expects to see it there.

The Oblivious: The Oblivious is by far the best kind of person. Unlike everyone else, he is actually unaware that you have a camera. When you enter the room, he will continue to do whatever extremely stupid thing he was doing before you came, and be so busy doing it that he doesn't notice you taking pictures of him. The pictures you take will go in the yearbook. When the yearbook comes out, and everyone sees the picture of him, The Oblivious person will try to pass it off like he was doing it on purpose, but you will know better.

Which kind of camera responder are you?

Related Post: "Hell Week" at a High School Newspaper

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