How to photograph drunk college students

1. Find yourself a nice camera with an attachable flash. You could probably use the one that comes standard on most cameras, the ones that pop up, but they overexpose photos -- read: make them look bad. If you’re serious about photographing anything, especially drunk students, spending upwards of 400 dollars on a legitimate flash is completely worth it. Although don’t lose it, it might freak you out for a few days and make you really sick to your stomach at the thought of having to buy a new one off of eBay.
2. If you have questions on flash, look for a different tutorial.
3. Make sure the batteries in the flash are charged, haven’t started leaking, haven’t exploded, and are in the right way. 
4. Keep a spare pack, just in case.
5. Go to a bar. 
6. Attach your lens and snap away. The photos might be a little posed, drunk people like to pose. If you’re just looking for experience then this will be completely fine. If you’re working to get a photojournalistic shot, try taking a step back.
7. Stalk the shit out of people.
8. They will still probably pose for you and ask you to take the photos of them doing strange things.
9. Don’t wear long black trench coats or stare at someone too long. 
10. Talk to the people you’re taking pictures of, otherwise they might think you’re a stalker. 
11. If you, like me, work for a newspaper that requires names attached to all of the people in the photos, you have to talk to them anyway. 
12. If you don’t work for a newspaper and want to take  pictures of people drinking in bars, find a new hobby.
13. Drunk students may give you names that aren’t real. You should be able to tell right away, but sometimes these things might slip over your head. 
14. “Tom Clancy” and “Max Power,” are probably fake names.
15. They may also say they are from another country.
16. Trust no one.
17. If someone asks to see a photo, do not let them. They will complain about how ugly they look. 
18. Bring ear plugs.
19. Attempt to hold onto your sanity. It will probably fade very quickly. Drunk college students are annoying.
20. Pray