Some of us are born and already know what we'll do with the rest of our lives. At the age of two my brother told my parents that he was going to drive the choo-choo and from that day forward, he meant it. Some of us live our entire lives and don't have a single clue what we're doing here. My mother, a middle-aged woman, still tells me that to this very day she has yet to find her career. Lastly, some of us just wake up one day… and realize.

This is me, Lauren Hetzer. I am currently a senior at New Technology High School and just recently I turned 18. The day before my 18th birthday something hit me. It wasn't your everyday slap-in-the-face kind of realization. It was something much bigger. The next day I would be an adult and I still didn't know what I'd be doing for the rest of my life.

I'd spent the past 18 years searching for that one thing, not quite realizing it was already at my fingertips. In my early childhood years I wanted to sell flowers, then I wanted to be a teacher, then a real estate agent, then an attorney, then a music producer, then a fashion merchandiser, and then I ended up just getting really confused. I had no idea where I was going with the rest of my life, and only five months remained until I'd be graduating. I was (to say) more than the least bit scared.

Almost two weeks later I'm sitting a top a grassy knoll, over looking Napa , with my best friend Elli. The sky was bright and blue, and the air was crisp – making the sunlight upon your skin feel akin to bliss. This was how we spent most of our afternoons – out in the countryside – escaping the tragedies of real life.

That day I sat there bewildered by my own life. Time was still moving, but I wasn't going anywhere. As I stared off into space, pondering all the possibilities, Elli looked at me and began to laugh exclaiming, "You look like such a nerd right now. With your big Polaroid camera hanging awkwardly around your neck, all the Polaroids you've taken today – sitting at your feet – and your digital camera right by your side. You look like such a confused photographer right now."

And that was it; that was all it took. I don't know why I hadn't figured it out before. I don't know how I missed it every time I opened my closet doors, which had been masked with Polaroids I'd taken, or every time I laid a finger on my camera. But at that very second I turned my head, looked Elli straight in the eyes, and in astonishment said, "Duh… Photography!"

Sitting in front of you now is my digital portfolio. Here, along with my Personal Statement, you'll find some of my work, my resume, two letters of recommendation, and eight learning outcomes. This entire portfolio was created in a matter of months during my senior year. As you find yourself browsing through my pages, I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I did while making this.