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Look at pictures you admire. Try to create the same look. Learn what went into making photographs you like. Once you master technique, composition, and lighting start taking your own stuff using what you learned from mimicry.

That was my job for three years!

I did the same thing my first year; I wanted every picture to look perfect. The truth of it is, most of the candid pictures you take will be cropped, flipped, and half covered, because they will go into montages. Focus more on what you're taking pictures of. Take your camera to all the games, pep rallies, dances, and other events you can. Tell a group of people standing together to pose, or catch them off guard. Make sure you get teachers in there, too!

make sure the lighting is right. it could be the most amazing picture in the world but no one would no if it is too dark and gives people weird shadows or too bright and it looks whiter than it is.