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Kasey & Brad
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Saturday, January 2, 2010, 12:00 PM
I wore my long under-roo's to shoot Kasey & Brad the other day in Tulsa, OK :). It had been snowing all week and there were still big piles of the white powdery-goodness on the ground. I rarely get to shoot with snow so I loved it, but I think by the end of the shoot all of us had bright pink noses and our fingers were a bit numb. There were also several times that Brad rescued me from falling to my death from slipping on ice in my cowboy boots (note to self: cowboy boots; not the wisest choice when shooting in snow/icey conditions). 

I think we all stayed warm by laughing A lot! Kasey & Brad have been together since 8th grade. Which I think is about 10-11 years for them! I'm going to go ahead and put my money on them to perservere through anything life gives them. They are down to earth, thoughtful and love to laugh... three qualities I love and respect. We had a lot of fun cruising around downtown Tulsa to capture these two. And as I was driving off and my fingers were just starting to thaw out snow started falling from the sky. It was beautiful. Perfect ending to a great day. Kasey & Brad we wish you two all the best in the world! xoxo






Thoughts
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Heather Gilson says: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 05:10 PM

I love the warm playful tones in these!This couple looks so sweet!
Ariel Renae says: Monday, January 4, 2010, 11:29 AM

Amazing work, as usual! Your photos both inspire me and challenge me to be the very best photog i can be. thank you for that.
Ariel Renae says: Monday, January 4, 2010, 11:27 AM

beautiful work, as usual. your photos both inspire me and challenge me to be the best photog i can be!!! thank you for that.
Eric says: Sunday, January 3, 2010, 01:49 AM

Once again - your work is very, very impressive Sarah! Wonderful job in this shoot!

Meghan says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 03:53 PM

SOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! you captured my best friend and her man perfectly! the third picture from the end is my favorite! kasey looks gorgeous!

mandiimae says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 03:21 PM

All your photos always look like they should belong in some amazing art gallery. Keep it up. :)
Alexandra says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 02:48 PM

How come your photos are ALWAYS flawless????? I'm jealous :)

Milena Dekic says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 02:15 PM

Wow, I just love this engagement session. The couple are just so darn cute, they really look like love-struck teenagers (which after 10 years is pretty amazing). I also really love the snow. I was born in a rather snowy country, but now live in Australia (not a lot of snow) and I really miss it. Loved seeing the snow and the cuddles and really love your work.
Milena Dekic says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 02:14 PM

Wow, I just love this engagement session. The couple are just so darn cute, they really look like love-struck teenagers (which after 10 years is pretty amazing). I also really love the snow. I was born in a rather snowy country, but now live in Australia (not a lot of snow) and I really miss it. Loved seeing the snow and the cuddles and really love your work.
200
2009 We bid you adieu..
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Friday, January 1, 2010, 12:30 PM
A huge thank you to each of our amazing clients who made this year spectacular for us! You are the people that allow us to live out our passion. You are the ones who caught the vision behind why we do this and believed in it. You are the ones who had complete faith and trust in us. You are the people who have inspired us and encouraged us and pushed us to be greater. You are the people who trusted us and empowered us. We feel so thankful to each of you, but mostly, we feel humbled. 

We found it INSANELY difficult to do a "Best of 2009" post so instead these are some highlights from the past year. Most of the photos are ones that I personally connected with for one reason or another. But that is the hard part, I felt connected to so many of our images from this year. This post started as 220 images (a ton I know!!) and Chris finally made us narrow it down to more like 30, which I found too difficult to do, so I just let him do the picking and these are just a handful of the highlights of 2009. Looking forward to a fantastic year in 2010. It's going to be a great one, I can just feel it in my bones :)

Happy New Year!












Thoughts
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Heather Gilson says: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 05:14 PM

Wow-what a great collection for 2009! Amazing really. You two are always so busy having fun and making cool art. Thanks for your earlier posts on your favorite business books, I REALLY enjoyed that and went straight to Amazon to order a few. Keep the reviews coming as you plow through more books in 2010!
Thanks again!
angie says: Sunday, January 3, 2010, 10:37 PM

What an amazing year!!!

kristen says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 11:58 PM

Loved every one of these...

Michelle sidles says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 08:23 PM

Happy New Year!!! :) Beautiful images!
arenda says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 03:10 PM

amazing images sarah! my favourite is the one of the guy twirling the girl in the boots around, it's stunning! happy 2010!
Rebecca says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 12:51 PM

what a great year for you :)
Maureen Nikonov says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 12:21 PM

Only 220, Sarah? :) I could've brought another 220 to your attention that were absolutely out of this world. Good work sneaking those three of you in there, Chris, I loved those shots of you. Can't wait to see what you bring to fruition this year... congrats on all your success and all that is still to come!
imthiaz houseman says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 04:06 PM

stunning work. Happy New Year. we can't wait to see what 2010 brings to the two of you. :)
Emily says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 03:33 PM

Happy New Year Chris and Sarah!
Thank you for being part of our first year of married life! We look forward to more fun dinners and geeking out with you guys :)
chatti says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 02:50 PM

all awesome and really reflected your clients personality and your connection with your clients.

Steve Gerrard says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 02:10 PM

What an amazing year you've had. And we've loved keeping up with you along the way.
Here's to an even more incredible 2010.
Cheers
Steve & Evelyne xx
Alexandra says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 01:13 PM

I'm so in love with your work. Wow.

Jennifer says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 12:46 PM

Love them! He did a good job of picking the best!
Jennifer says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 12:46 PM

Love them! He did a good job of picking the best!
199
Setting the Bar for 2010
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Thursday, December 31, 2009, 02:40 PM
The best definition of a "goal" that I have heard came while reading Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi says, "A goal is a dream with a deadline." It makes sense, before we can establish what our goals are we must have a very clear sense of exactly what our dreams are. 

This year we have been thinking a lot about our dreams at the Rhoads abode. I have always been a BIG picture person. A BIG dreamer. And a huge part of every decision we make at the Rhoads goes through the filter of, Where will this put us in five years? We never want to make decisions that are short sighted; but rather, we aspire to make decisions that go back to the heart behind WHY we do this. If we can put everything through the WHY filter, the decisions we make will have much greater payoffs in the long term.

Failing to plan is planning to fail. I believe that perception drives reality. A lot of achieving our goals is not allowing our own minds stand in the way of what is possible. To be where we want to be we must be able to see ourselves there before we ever actually arrive. The goals we put on paper are the stepping stones that make the vision a reality. 

I'm really stoked about this new year ahead of us! Today I looked back over the goals we set for 2009 with a smile on my face. It's pretty encouraging to look back at these goals that I scribbled down on pieces of paper back at the end of 2008 and see so many come to fruition in 2009. Our plan is to make that happen again in 2010. Just a few of the exciting goals we checked off the list in 2009:

- Launching our Custom Site what we feel like really speaks to our personal/artistic vision.
- Traveling to Thailand for creative and personal growth.
- A huge passion of mine is to inspire others to take hold of their passion and let it drive them to where they want to be. Chris is equally passionate and exceptionally talented at teaching people "how" to do that so we were really excited to take on a handful of Mentoree's this year through our Mentor sessions for photographers.
- One of our other big goals for 2009 was to meet & surround ourselves with people who inspired us and pushed us to be greater, bigger and better. It is amazing to see the fantastic people God brought into our lives this year! The beautiful women I was able to connect with through {Marfa Trip} are now the incredible women that I feel fortunate to call true friends. My wonderful encourager Jeff Holt who also introduced us to our now dear friend Nick Onken, both boys are constantly setting the bar higher for us. The wonderful opportunity to team up with our inspirational friend, Jesh de Rox to help host Life as an Artform (to come in april of 2010) was yet another unexpected blessing.  The list of the doors that were opened through people could go on and on... You see, a very important part of achieving our goals are the people who come alongside us in the process. People are what make the world go round.

When the Rhoads set goals we have three categories. Realistic, Ambitious and Audacious. Within each of those categories we have another set of goals: Immediate Goals, Creative goals, Financial goals, Long term development goals & Personal goals. I like to have the three different categories (Realistic, Ambitious & Audacious) because it allows us the freedom to dream on an even bigger scale.

2010 will be a year of some of the most audacious goals we have ever set for ourselves and I'm pumped! It will also be a year of facing fears and a year of extreme growth. I can already see it. I believe it. I know it. Cheers to a great year to each of you! Follow your bliss!!


Thoughts
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Kat Speyer says: Monday, January 4, 2010, 03:38 PM

Yes! Thank you for being so inspirational. :)
Tami says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 07:05 PM

I love the three goal catergories! I agree it is important to dream big and I need to do more of that myself. Thanks for the inspiration again!
kimberly says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 09:33 AM

a wonderful way to start this first day of 2010.....a visit to your blog......it is just so right Sarah!!!

wishing you the grandest of new years!!!
holly everett says: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 03:12 PM

Hi Sarah!
Thank you for sharing this (and the list of books a few days back... currently reading "Purple Cow" now while my husband is reading "Love is the Killer App"). I am really new to the industry and am encouraged by people like you who love what they do, and combine that passion with the business-side to make it succeed. So, I just wanted to say thank you: for your thoughts, your passion, your way of seeing the world that we are fortunate to view day-to-day. Happy New Year!

sara montour says: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 03:02 PM

Love this so much. I spent the day today reflecting on 2009 and looking forward to 2010+. It's exciting to push ourselves beyond what we think is feasible, and I hope your audacious goals fall into the realistic category soon!

Can't wait to meet you in 2010!
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Thailand Portraits
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 10:00 PM
"Adventure is a path. Real adventure - self-determined, self-motivated, often risky, forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world.  The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it.  Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness.  In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and the bottomless cruelty of humankind - and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both.  This will change you.  Nothing will ever again be black-and-white." - Mark Jenkins

These are the faces that moved mountains in my heart this December while in Thailand. I want to introduce them to you. To me, they are beautiful. One of my photography mentors once told me that "to photograph someone well we must first love them." It is easy to capture a photo of someone on the street, but to capture them with all the dignity and nobility they posses, this is more challenging. This is what I'm interested in when I capture people. My heart is to dig beneath what meets the eye and reveal humanity through my images. One of my favorite photographers, Sebastiao Salgado once said, "If you take a picture of a human that does not make him noble, there is no reason to take this picture."

Our lives cannot be understood on flat on a page... Life must be experienced, embraced, & seen from a different perspective. There comes a time in each of our lives when we must jump out of the boat, learn to love better, stand amidst a people that is very different than what we know, and let it challenge us to the core. It is in these beautiful moments when truth emerges and we can see ourselves with a certain transparency that will never surface when we sit in our boats of comfort. Many times we confuse comfort with happiness. You see, living the rich life is all about being uncomfortable.  It is in these moments that we become aware of our wings and then learn how to make them flap against the wind.... it is in these glorious moments when we can understand the exhilaration of flight that lives within us. 
Thank you Thailand for reminding me of just how big my wings are and just how far they can take me.




Thoughts
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Jayme says: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 09:29 PM

I have loved all of your pictures for a few months now but these are incredible. I have always wanted to be so bold to take pictures of the people I see on the street in other countries but I am always too nervous. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures!

Kat Speyer says: Monday, January 4, 2010, 03:38 PM

Incredibly moving, and awesome portraits. Thank you for sharing.
Kat Braman says: Sunday, January 3, 2010, 07:06 AM

what a great collection. I love how colorful everything is. Thailand is definitely up there on my list of places to visit. My favorite is the older lady sitting in the blue chair. She looks so fun and spunky.
lisa dunham says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 08:17 AM

Ralph Waldo Emerson said "A man finds room in the few square inches of his face for the traits of all his ancestors; for the expression of all his history, and his wants." That resonates in these images and tells me that a special place in your heart was touched by each one. You have that gift.

sarahrhoads says: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 03:37 PM

@wrecklessgirl she is mine too... such a proud woman.
wrecklessgirl says: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 02:48 PM

the last woman, she is my favourite.
Matt Milburn says: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 10:25 AM

Gorgeous photos!!!
Melina says: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 08:56 AM

Hi. I love all your picturs. The ones in Thailand are so inspiring. I mentioned you on my blog today as one of my faves. Hope you have a wonderful New Years and THANK YOU. Melina
Paige says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 11:37 AM

These are amazing. So much life :)
Steve says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 10:52 AM

These portraits are wonderful! You truly captured each personality in his/her environment. I especially love the attitude of the last woman! Kudos :)
Laura says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 09:02 AM

Gorgeous photos! I love how you captured the spirit and essence of each person and Thailand.
Laura says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 09:02 AM

Gorgeous photos! I love how you captured the spirit and essence of each person and Thailand.
Melissa says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 08:24 AM

these are beautiful sarah! i hope you had a wonderful vacation... much deserved i'm sure!
maile says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 07:39 AM

So addicted to your blog. You are incredibly talented.

Gail says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 07:00 AM

Love ALLL of these. Wonderful wonderful work!

Mandy says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 06:54 AM

Gorgeous and true.

Alexandra says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 03:33 AM

Beautifully captured! You did an amazing job! I love it!

Maurice says: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 12:42 AM

This is a really interesting set of portraits, great work.

Thailand is the coolest place I've ever been. This makes me want to buy a ticket back there now.

sarahrhoads says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 10:38 PM

@Beata I am likely going to do a post on this in the coming weeks but in short, yes, I raise my camera in question and smile to ask if I can take someone's photo before I snap the shot. All of these portraits were shot with my 35mm lens so I had to be pretty darn close to the people. Thailand is called "the land of smiles" and they truly live up to their name. Most of the people were very open and willing to have their portraits taken. There were only 3 times throughout the trip that I asked and was turned down. Every culture is different, every person is different and it is important to respect people when we capture them :) hope that helps... I'll do a full post on street photography in the coming weeks.
Bianca Valentim says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 09:36 PM

You are SO inspiring Sarah!!!
Beautiful what you wrote! I'm a big fan of Sebastiao Salgado, he's from the same country I'm from. :)
I LOVE to come here, your words always touches my heart! Thank You for that!
:)
Beata English says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 09:34 PM

Hi there Sarah - I just can't stop looking at your photos from Thailand - amazing! Just a question - did you just go up and ask to take the person's photo? I'm off to the US in March and want to take photos of any interesting people i cross paths with on our road trip. sometimes just hesitant to take a photo of a complete stranger...
Love B
Bianca Valentim says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 09:34 PM

You are SO inspiring Sarah!!!
Beautiful what you wrote! I'm a big fan of Sebastiao Salgado, he's from the same country I'm from. :)
I LOVE to come here, your words always touches my heart! Thank You for that!
:)
Beata English says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 09:34 PM

Hi there Sarah - I just can't stop looking at your photos from Thailand - amazing! Just a question - did you just go up and ask to take the person's photo? I'm off to the US in March and want to take photos of any interesting people i cross paths with on our road trip. sometimes just hesitant to take a photo of a complete stranger...
Love B
erica says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 09:16 PM

amazing.
Julie h says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 09:05 PM

your words brought tears to my eyes. It was exactly what I needed to hear tonight. The photos are most evidently emotionally connected. Thank you.
Jenice says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 08:37 PM

Thank you for such a beautiful reminder of jumping out of the boat. I cannot wait to talk when you get back.

chatti says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 08:25 PM

the first portrait, that's my dad...skin tone, wrinkles, glasses, everything. in just one portrait, you were able to make me miss my dad.
Jeanette says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 08:17 PM

Incredibly wise and moving words.

These are all so beautiful, but there are a few that absolutely stopped me in my tracks - where the soul of the person shone through the photograph with complete and utter clarity.

Impressive and full of heart.
Alyssa says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 08:13 PM

Wow, these are all such powerful images! You captured each of theses individuals beautifully. They all have a different special look in their eye! I always enjoy seeing what you're up to next! Great job!
Heather Elizabeth says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 08:13 PM

These are absolutely breathtaking. I am in love with the last shot. The look on that woman's face is priceless!

Stunning portraits. So much character.

Alyssa says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 08:13 PM

Wow, these are all such powerful images! You captured each of theses individuals beautifully. They all have a different special look in their eye! I always enjoy seeing what you're up to next! Great job!
Kia Gregory says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 08:09 PM

Truly artistic. Thank you.
David says: Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 08:05 PM

Great pictures, love the soldier!