Its been a week and a day. Each day that passed since my last post, i kept telling myself, you've got to sit down and write. But here's something for you: maybe the key to a blog is writing when you have a story, not because its been so many days...

I've got some stories.

The last picture i showed you really inspired me to start taking some awesome photos. The majority of Wednesday - Friday, I played up in my office. I pulled things from all over the house and tried to capture them. I ended up with some really cool photos. Look out for a website update in a week or two. I don't want to make any promises about what its going to be like, but if i learn some things between now and then, it might be unlike any I've had to date.

(My setup for the new work. And Liz's dress in the background... We can't find a place for it)

This past weekend Liz and I went to my house in Chattanooga. We visited family and had a wedding reception planned for us. As much fun as the trip proved to be, we were most excited about sleeping together under my parents roof. It just felt dirty.


While we were there i got to carry out a project that i had been mulling over since we started our wedding plans. We had bought some wood from the Habitat Home Store to construct rough tables for the reception. I happened to notice that some of the wood we grabbed was really nice. I spent the better part of Sunday in the garage building the new addition to our living room. The only thing that diverted my attention was our garage flooding from all the rain.


Along with the excitement of having built the entertainment center, we left with the realization that we had a house warming party in just six days (and a completely unwarmed home). We had no furniture, no organization, no art, no feel. While that can be stressful, its really been a lot of fun. I've been playing Trading Spaces for the past 4 days. In a conversation with Liz i noted that I'm finally getting to the chance to carry out my crazy ideas i've held close since high school. Its been an amazing time exercising my creativity in this facet.

Here are some of the new additions to the place:

(This is about 4'x 2.5'. Im really stoked with how it turned out.)

(From left to right: Our new IKEA Expedit bookcase via ModerNash; New Vase from West Elm with a cool wall hanging I made over Christmas vacation; My Great-Grandmother's old Lamp with a new look! Its looking for a new shade.)

Ps. Im still loving the new camera. Its really changed my game.

So, this is the new year. And... im about to make a resolution. However, don't categorize this as a new year's resolution. I endeavor to maintain said resolution.

My goal is to keep you up to date on everything Will Knowles (professional, social, spiritual, emotional, etc). I've tried and failed... and chalk it up to not having much to say/me not leading a terribly exciting life. But i think that with combining all aspects of my life and interests, i can hopefully carry out a semi-succesful web-log.

If the first few weeks are an insight into what the rest of the year will look like, I'd say that there is a lot of good in store. On January 2nd, I got married to the love of my life, Liz Fitzsimons (now Knowles). As soon as my friend and mentor, David Molnar, releases some photos of the day, i intend on making those photos public to you, the reader. (EDIT: During the writing of this, Dave put a slideshow up of the pics!) Another exciting part of these first few weeks is that Liz and I are settling into our home. We're spending Bed, Bath, and Beyond gift cards like there's no tomorrow. We've also made several large purchases... A big red comfy couch and the 5D Mark II. Im slightly more excited about the camera. Its the first of purchases this year of which im hoping will provide the backbone of my photo career. Now, don't get me wrong, gear wont make me get there, but it certainly wont hurt!

I've been doing a lot of dreaming about this next year, I can't tell you how excited I am about what it will bring professionally. This is the year I put myself in a position to be a full-time professional photographer in 2011 or not. Now don't get me wrong, thats my title for 2010, but i just need the projects to sustain the title. I've got a few months before I'll be super busy with weddings. As daunting as week after week of weddings sounds, i'm really excited. I've found some new inspiration in the work of Tec Petaja and Jose Villa. I just love their discerning eye. You could say I'm jealous...

You might be wondering what a full-time photographer does without projects. Well, me too. I feel more like a stay-at-home-dad-minus-kids/photographer. While my wife teaches, I clean, work on finances, and hone my craft. Today has given me this. The prototype to what i want my product photography to feel like.

Will Knowles shoots weddings? Yes, actually... Now go tell all your friends.

I shot my first wedding over Spring Break. (I use the term "first" lightly. I actually have another wedding under my belt, but it doesn't count. The bride and groom were about 70. Its a great story... but not too impressive in a wedding portfolio)

Allow me to introduce you to the coolest bride in the world: Jonelle Graham (now Capps). It takes a special person to trust a newbie photographer with your wedding day. These are her bridal portraits we took about a month prior to the wedding.


And the wedding... What a great day! With the help of my good friend, Laura Vinson, i was able to capture Jonelle and Carlton's big day. You might recognize the two from their engagement pictures on my website. They are wonderful people to work with... I wish them the best in their journey.





And if you feel so inclined, check out my website.

Sondre Lerche says, "You better be prepared to be surprised. It's all I know." When i least expected it, i got the most pleasant surprise: A best friend and a girlfriend (same person). Without question, ive never had more fun than with her. She is an amplifier to my joy.

...and she's gorgeous.

Cool Hand Luke says it best:

"This is love,
that you would die for me.

When I'm falling down,
you save me.

This is how I know what love is.
And I'd die for this."

There is much to talk about...

Im in the last semester of my life. This is quite possibly the most challenging semester i have had... in terms of motivation. My class load is rather small; i only have nine credit hours. However, i can't help but feel like this is the most pointless semester i've taken thus far. Its mostly a nusance. Its the only thing that separates me from the rest of my life.

I've been helping my friend Tony Czech teach a photography class at RockeTown. We are attempting to teach them the basics of photography: composition, exposure, etc. This week, per their request, we tried to incorporate telling a story. Tony and I decided that the assignment for the week was to create a diptych. One photo being a portrait, the other being an action shot. Through this interaction, they were to tell the story of myself trying to skate a mini-ramp (I had no previous experience). The majority of my evening was spent falling...


What of Photography for yourself? Good question. Things are going well. Considering I'm still a student first, I shy away from doing too much. I don't want to give into my waning motivation. Come May, I plan on launching into photography full force. In them meantime, i continue to do a little work here and there. My friend, Tony, with whom I help teach photography, has been very helpful in setting my goals for the future. He is an amazing photographer... but even more an amazing friend. He is providing me with some invaluable experiences.

There's more...

I'm sweet on somebody. Her name is Liz. And guess what... she likes me back. If you want to know more, feel free to ask. Its a story i could tell over and over.


Thats all for now. I have to save something for the next post.

How about an update?

Three weeks (six days of which are Thanksgiving Break) are what separate now and finals. How awesome/horrifying is that? Freedom is so close; after this semester, i have nine hours of class and a practicum. Unfortunately, before i can think about my freedoms, i must think about the 900 pages of reading, multiple term papers, a final art project, and finals looming over my head. Its alright... i have to take one day at a time.

Outside of school, Im dreaming about what's to come. Im really excited about May; it's my opportunity to make all of my wildest dreams come true (business and leisure). With regard to business, i've been thinking about investing some money in a few pieces of new gear. I've also been designing business cards... which im pretty stoked about. That means im on my way to becoming quasi-legit. With regard to leisure, im trying to figure that out. I think i want to read some... Also, i MUST get some traveling under my belt. There is so much of the United States (and world) i haven't seen. Im thinking about a road trip.

I've updated my website. I would post some photos on here, but... i dont want to. Its just as easy to tell you to go to willknowles.com and check out the two new photos under portfolio.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I really look forward to seeing my family. The more i grow and mature, i've decided that that is what i want to be about.

Until next time....