Will B.

It’s that time of year when teachers, students and parents sigh with relief and get deep in touch with feelings, as some students move on to higher grades and some graduate and step out into the big wide world and learn to stand on their own two feet.

As a photographer and journalist, the month of May is nothing short of controlled chaos, as the school year comes to an end and many, many – did I mention many? – awards presentations, banquets, parties, senior shoots all lead to the crescendo that is Senior Graduation.

I have to say, it has gotten a bit easier. After six years of the May chaos has come and gone, I have learned a few things and found which are the more important events – not to be missed. It’s just a bit easier though.

After graduation is a much-needed slow period for me, one I really enjoy each year because summer break allows me to find fun projects to cover and sometimes activities to plan, around passing on knowledge of photography mixed with fun outings. I love to see the excitement and ideas of new photographers and am always willing to pass on the experience to them.

One of my favorite summer projects for the paper was two summers ago. I decided I was going to visit a different rural museum every week during the summer. Wow, it was such an amazing and cool experience. I learned a lot, made new friends and even learned a little more about photography.

Now to the feels part: the end of May comes to a crashing halt for me about a week after graduation. That’s the week I finish up albums I have been trying to get edited and when I back up all my photos and stories to a hard drive and wipe my laptop clean and begin a new year.

My year begins at the end of summer each year and begins again about two weeks before school starts. It’s how I keep track of my photos and stories. Before backing up my photos and stories, I take the time to walk down memory lane for the year, looking through photos and maybe reading some of my favorite stories.

Almost all my favorites are of the students and athletes of OISD, rightly so, because I spend the majority of my time covering school events and I really love this part of my job, especially now that I am seeing students graduating that I started taking photos of when they were knee high in some cases.

You might not think it, but I grow very close to these students in my heart, even if not even a word is spoken between us. I watch them grow up through my lens, I see their highs and lows, their successes and failures. I find myself pulling for each and every one of them and want nothing but the best future for them. They are always in my prayers, my thoughts and in my heart.

This is Will B saying, good luck on your next adventure, Seniors. I will still be here waiting to capture your memories as you move on.