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....

This Week in Photos

Well... more like the past little while.

Top: Kevin and Elisa. They've been wanting to get some girlfriend/boyfriend pictures taken for the longest time. Middle: Johnny and Monica. Johnny contacted me via myspace a few days ago to capture he and his now fiance's engagement moment. Bottom Left: My mom and sisters. Home for fall break! Bottom Middle: Derek Henrichs. Took this while at my All-School Retreat. Bottom Right: After about 4 years of having long hair, I decided to buzz my head. We decided to have a little fun with it.

My roommate and I, in our limited free time, film a series of videos called "Common Misconceptions." After taking a break over the summer, we filmed this years first short. Enjoy!




if you subscribe to the "drew & will" podcast in the iTunes store, you can download all our episodes!

"families are a refuge in good times and bad, a warm place of peace where acceptance reigns"

On this earth, family is most important: a priority that until recently, i haven't enacted. I've understood that family was important, but recently, I've not appreciated my family. A few months ago, i decided to make a change: to love, unconditionally. This is a lofty goal, and by no means do I practice this successfully. Its amazing how making this my aim has made life exponentially more enjoyable. Even more importantly, it has given me a greater appreciation for the group of individuals I'm blessed enough to call my family.

The only thing certain about life is that it ends.

I have a friend who's nephew has a terminal illness. It has ravaged his body. A few days ago, someone informed me that the child may pass in the near future. Hearing this put me in a somber mood. I think back to my friend... i know that he has prayed with everything in him that his nephew would be healed (his entire family too). However, it has meant nothing. Even if he gets better, he will die eventually.

I have another friend who is battling a cancerous tumor in his brain. Its a depressing situation. Around every turn, he faces a new obstacle. Hearing about his latest hurdle, i assured him that i would continue to pray for him. As i began to pray, i had a troubling thought. What do i pray for? Do i pray against the inevitable? Maybe its not cancer that takes his life; maybe its old age.

So what do I pray for? How do we pray for friends? Do we ask God to heal or make our burdens lighter? Or do we ask, no matter how long, short, or difficult one's journey, we learn to embrace our experiences and rely on God?

Jon Foreman and Deas Vail in Concert
"The place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's great hunger meet"
Frederick Buechner

For 21 years, i have spent my time trying to find my deepest gladness. This summer has been a catalyst. My thought process is now focused around the most self-less life possible. How do i create a life that is completely void of myself? How do i live out an unselfish life?