Thursday, September 2, 2010, 02:50 AM
At the end of July we took a trip with our good friends Mark, Candice and the cutest baby in the world, Wyatt. Mark & Candice invited us to hang out at their family estate in Speculator New York. When Candice said it was right on a lake we were there. These two have become great friends of ours over the past couple of years. You may remember their cute little faces from when we shot them here in Seattle last year.

Mark & Candice are also photographers and the four of us (plus Wyatt :) decided to do the unthinkable and get away for a week in the middle of crazy busy wedding season. The goal of the trip was just to relax and be together with no cell reception in the middle of no-where-Speculator New York. We played games, slept in, stayed up late talking, went sailing, read, took naps, had a couple camp fires, saw the most beautiful sun-sets and laughed A LOT. These two are our perfect travel-couple. Around them, things are easy and effortless and I am reminded of how sweet sharing life can be. A true friend is one that can pick you up during times of struggle, but also celebrate you in your successes. That is Mark & Candice. They are absolutley beautiful people that we feel so grateful to call friends. 

To be honest, we didn't get our cameras out much this trip because we just wanted to soak it all up, but I just thought I would share a few random captures of our sweet time on the lake with one of our favorite little families, The Brookes :) 

We're off to Maui today... anyone have any suggestions of things to do? We're shooting Saturday but are staying a couple extra days to explore :) Any suggestions welcomed.




Thoughts
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Sasha Behrens says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 11:41 AM

Sara,
Maui is beautiful. We drove across the island to Paia, a beautiful, cute town with fun energy and little places to tuck in and eat.
One thing you truly have to experience is the sunrise at Haleakala. We rose at 2:15am and drove up to the top to watch the sunrise -it explained all of the beauty in the world. I was left with a humble spirit after knowing God created such a beautiful renewal each and every day.
Enjoy your trip!

Sarah says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 09:22 AM

Big Makena beach for an awesome day in the sun and you have to eat pizza at Dollie's Pub & Cafe in Kahana. Enjoy your trip, Maui is an amazing place!

Mark Brooke says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 09:01 AM

WAAAAAAAAAAAA! these are perfect!!! love you guys have an awesome time in maui!!!!

John Sharpe says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 08:05 AM

Wow, beautiful photos as always! For some odd reason...your photos make me want to go play checkers...big time!

Nicole says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 07:58 AM

Olivine Pools!! Just before the 16 mile marker on Hwy 30. Looks like a steep hike off the road, but is really easy (lava created natural steps). AMAZING swimming and views! (Btw, turn around and go back towards Lahaina after this unless you're really brave b/c the road becomes one lane on a cliff. I did the drive in grade school and was too scared to repeat it :|) Also, if you're going snorkling, Makena Beach just south of Wailea has TONS of turtles - some people said they saw more there than Molikini :)

Amanda VanVels says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 07:55 AM

I love these! I would love a break like that in the middle of wedding season. Hope you enjoyed it!

Tracy says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 07:26 AM

Hit up the Hana Highway on the east side of the island. It is a beautiful, curvy drive along the coast through amazing, lush scenery. And if you're up for a scary one-lane road, continue south through the barren, desert landscape (instead of turning back and coming back Hana Highway). I highly recommend the book MAUI REVEALED!

Paige Butcher says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 07:19 AM

This trip sounds like perfection -- I'm completely jealous! The photos are gorgeous, as always :) Have fun in Maui (jealous about that too)!

Johntographer says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 06:41 AM

Hey Sarah,

First of all - I absolutely love your blog and your photos. You are amazingly talented.

Second - I haven't been to Maui, but my wife and I are going there for our honeymoon in November. I've been researching extensively, and it looks like sailtrilogy.com is the "must-do" activity on the island. Their day-trip sailings feature snorkeling, whale watching and all kinds of other fun stuff. I'd encourage you to check 'em out. Please, please, please blog about your trip! I'd really appreciate some Maui advice when you get back!

Regards,
John

Christine Pobke says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 06:31 AM

YES! go check out the olowalu plantation estate - it's tiny and beautiful and might be private. :) pobkes got married there! :) and climb mt haleakula! and snorkeling in kaanapali beach! have fun rhoadsies! xoxo

Sarah Danaher says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 05:18 AM

Looks pretty much perfect, if you ask me.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 08:51 AM
Sarah is absolutely RADIANT! She is a big ball of energy, life, passion, drive, joy and motivation. Sarah smiles for no reason and laughs easily, which always makes me feel good. People like Sarah make un-funny people like me feel like comedians for the day ;) Usually I'm laughing at myself or my sweet husband and humoring me by laughing at my lame jokes. 

Sarah made her voyage to us from the land of Idaho for her mentor session with us. Sarah is applying to art school in the fall so we gave her portfolio a look and came up with interesting ways that she could stand out with her work. We had an awesome day brainstorming ideas for ways that Sarah can push herself in ways that stretch herself as a photographer. We challenged Sarah to get her camera out and shoot something, anything, every day for two solid weeks. So many people are so concerned with "what" they are shooting that they forget that part of becoming a better photographer IS a discipline and it is more about just getting out and doing it. practice. practice, practice. 

Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 hour rule in his book, Outliers, saying that the key to greatness is dedicating enormous amounts of time to perfecting our craft. Gladwell claims it takes about 10,0000 hours of dedicated time doing the task or craft to truly be an expert at it. We have quite the challenge put before us! 

Sarah is a total light. This first photo of her describes her zest to a tee. 

Thoughts
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Rich Park says: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 11:31 PM

Sometimes the simplest advice is all we need. Time to get out more and shoot, shoot, shoot!

sarah says: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 04:41 PM

shoot sarah! you did a great job! thanks for sayin' all those nice things about me :) you are pretty darn brilliant yourself. also, don't sell yourself short, you're a hecka funny!

Jenn Stark says: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 03:39 PM

She looks like so much fun! I have a feeling that she will do well :)

Pepe says: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 03:28 PM

Yep! She's a rad chic!

Tracy Wallace says: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 03:13 PM

Love the first one. She looks like fun!

taren says: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 09:58 AM

shes radiant!

anda says: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 09:50 AM

i think i would like her :) that last photo is awesome!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 09:26 AM
Many of you have come to know my beautiful friend Tiffany Lowry from the many photo shoots we have collaborated on together. Tiffany is my go-to gal for make-up, hair, styling and overall fabulousness. Tiffany has the amazing ability to transform anyone and anything into beautiful. We have become great friends over the past year and I cannot wait for the future projects we have planned together. Tiffany's talent, ambition and absolute passion transcends into everything she touches. I love that I have a fellow sister in crime that will indulges me in my wild ideas and pushes me to think bigger, broader and more unconventionally. 

Tiffany's family is full of personality (much like her). It's like her Sean and Addey all have enough personality to set a room on fire. This is a family who knows who they are and they live and breathe in their creative sandboxes. Addey is bound to be a brilliant artist just like Tiff and Sean. I think most of this shoot I saw the back of Addey's head because Addey is a strong willed girl and she does what she wants...Which for me meant "no photos." :) It was incredibly cute and endearing. 

There is nothing I love more than capturing the honesty, freedom and imagination in life. Shoots like this allow Chris and I to play in OUR creative sandbox. We love The Lowry's and I'm sure you will fall in love with them too...

Thoughts
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Dan O'Day says: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 06:29 AM

oh god i love this post! i want to live next door to them... and have my mates Sarah and Chris living on the other side :) absolutely beautiful work

Rensche van Dyk says: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 12:49 AM

In the Afrikaans language we have this way to describe something beautiful: 'oneindig mooi' it means the beauty never stops. This series makes me think of that beauty. I love how you captured them in front of their house, in their car and neighborhood. These images will forever be their story of where they are at this exact moment and will be appreciated when they are older and have moved to a different stage in their life.

Kayleen T. says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 10:45 PM

You inspire me to take more photos around the house with my own family!

ben brubaker says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 08:13 PM

Oh, and speaking of weddings, if you need a good reverend, look no further. Sean is your man.

ben brubaker says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 08:10 PM

Sean, Tiff and Addie! You guys look amazing... Reminds me that I need to get your wedding photos to you!

Tiffany says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 04:27 PM

AMAZING!!!

Susie Hamidi says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 03:52 PM

These are excellent. Very creative.

Katie Kolenberg says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 03:19 PM

Simply wonderful, Sarah!

Trish says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 02:41 PM

oh WOW. what absolute realness and love. adore these.

Rachel says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 02:30 PM

yup. did fall in love with them! they ooze with stories

Tracy says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 02:00 PM

I 100% ditto everything Tori said in their comment. Real photography at its best. Love it!

Patrina says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 01:07 PM

Oh, Sarah and Chris. What a magical session full of love and color and everything family. The world needs more strong girls in it, thank God for little Addey. Go Addey, go. Do your thing.

Merle Zahniser says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 12:14 PM

You truly captured my son Sean and his family. Beautiful shots of them all. Thank you!

Rich Park says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 11:37 AM

Wow, just looking at these pictures makes me feel as if you truly captured the essence of this family. Amazing job!

Tori Gillit says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 11:18 AM

Can I just gush about how much I LOVE that you just walk into a house and shoot a real live family. You don't pose or fix, you just shoot. How rad! It's like these people are living their lives and your a little camera in a wall, documenting their life. How real :)

Laura says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 10:48 AM

These are amazing! I love how you captured the family.

kasey says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 10:31 AM

You've conquered your "nitch" . This is the prize. Wonderful job.

Anda says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 09:46 AM

You really stretch me to learn new adjectives to describe your work. For now, I'll just let you know (again) that this set is gorgeous and real. xo.

suzanne @ featherandstone says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 09:42 AM

What a beautiful set of photos! Just one awesome aspect of being a photographer is that you get to be creative with your friends. Such a treasure and what a privilege! Thanks for sharing!

Chelsea Patricia says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 09:40 AM

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe how lovely/beautiful all of these are!

Emma Case says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 09:36 AM

So inspiring as always Mr and Mrs Rhoads x x x

Amber Ulmer-Ulmer Studios says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 09:35 AM

Wow... so much personality in this session guys. Incredible take on "lifestyle" photography. Incredible clients for sure. Totally diggin it!

Monday, August 30, 2010, 12:09 PM
The other day I came across my very first photography blog....I hadn't looked at it in years. My initial instinct was to close the window IMMEDIATELY! Run, duck for cover! It was like looking at a photo of what you wore back in the 80's. Something like, "What was I thinking wearing a side ponytail with a hot pink scrunchy and that hideous puffy sleeved sweater?! How did anyone let me leave the house like that?"

I created this blog in the days when I was still Sarah Kenslow, a naive and wide-eyed dreamer who, when asked what I wanted to do with my life, always answered with, "A great many things." Those were the days I was still shooting with my first film camera (a canon rebel) that was bought for me when I was fourteen.  I was totally clueless, but completely infatuated with this little black box that allowed me to the power to peel back parts of my own heart while peeking into the hearts others. 

However, I was by no means a brilliant photographer, quite the antithesis actually. And as I looked through this desperate and shabby little blog that I created when I was a resolutely fearless nineteen-year-old I wanted to close the window and run for cover, but instead, I sat with it. I let it all sink in. And eventually the corners of my mouth began to form into the shape of a smile. I have come a long way in my creative (and personal) evolution. And I am grateful. It is always important to remember where we come from. It keeps us humble, gracious and thankful. It also makes me so excited for my continued evolution as an artist. I've evolved so much even in the last six months. I've developed a more expansive palate of likes and dislikes, my tastes and vision are more focused and more "me". It is like finding that perfect pair of jeans, you have to try on quite a few pairs before you find that one perfect pair that makes you feel beautiful and YOU.

If we are not evolving we are standing still. Creative evolution is so incredibly important. As artists, we have NEVER arrived. We are always striving, growing, developing and evolving. There are times when looking back helps us move forward, seeing my first blog the other day helped me look my evolution dead in the face. It reminds me that I am still that wide eyed girl full of intrepidation, passion and courage. It reminds me to keep on keepin' on....to trust my gut instincts, to keep creating, pursuing growth and continue seeking to know thyself.





Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (17)
Kaethe Richter says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 03:00 PM

You inspire! Thank you for your words and art.

Tracy says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 01:56 PM

love this post and love your work :)

Rich Park says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 11:52 AM

My wife and I have had such similar thoughts lately! We've just recently started down our path in photography but already feel like we're growing so much as artists. Thank you for your inspiring post!

Sean McLean says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 08:41 AM

The beginning to something amazing

Amanda says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 06:55 AM

I love the Sarah Rhoads blog. I can't wait to meet the girl behind the curtain one day.

Annie says: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 12:27 AM

I could never tell you how much I appreciate these posts. Since finding your blog, my life, not just my photography, has been enriched with such priceless inspiration, advice and encouragement. If I ever do a thank-you acceptance speech, you'll be on my list ;)

wei says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 08:37 PM

sometimes i think my older photos are better. one can develop a stylistic palette but once lost, it's hard to gain back innocence and naivety.

Harmony Loves says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 07:17 PM

you are an absolutely amazing photographer. reading this gives me hope that my art will evolve and change with me overtime. I pray that I have a quarter of your success :)

Kristen says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 07:15 PM

Beautiful as always

kirsten says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 07:01 PM

you have definitely found your voice - love reading your blog and seeing your images. thank you!

brooke says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 06:59 PM

but these photos in this post... these are not from your first-ever blog post, are they?

Katie Kolenberg says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 02:39 PM

So true. Thank you for always being her - she's good at sharing. :-)

That field of sunflowers is my dream location of all time!!! Loving the dark one so very much.

Rachel says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 02:33 PM

that brightens my day. its nice to know genius photographers like yourself, came from somewhere smaller. thanks for sharing. hopefully, i can look back to my blog one day and think along those same lines!

johnna brynn says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 01:08 PM

awesome awesome awesome. "Know thyself". Thanks for the encouragement. ;)

Chelsea Patricia says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 12:54 PM

Gosh, you are so right.
These images are lovely (as usual), and your words...well, so true.

Thanks, girl.

Jeanette LeBlanc says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 12:37 PM

"A great many things". I absolutely love that (and the rest of this post). You are so inspirational.

Michael says: Monday, August 30, 2010, 12:28 PM

Great post. I couldn't agree more. It's not about where we are headed, it's about how far we have come. Btw, where is this beautiful sunflower field?