Friday, April 22, 2011, 09:11 AM
A couple weeks ago we got to go play in the rain with Jenn & Adam. It was a gorgeous Seattle day and I'm pretty sure Seattle was conspiring against us because right when we started the session the rain came down... we all just had to laugh. That is sooooo Seattle of Seattle! :) 

Jenn is a blogger and wedding designer here in the Seattle area who reached out to us when I twittered that we were looking for a couple to model for a mentor session we had with photographer, Greg Hoskins last week. She wrote the sweetest note telling us about why her and Adam would be the most awesome couple ever for the session. Here is what she said the top 5 reasons were we should choose her and Adam: 

1. We are Awesome with a capital A
2. We appreciate beautiful photos, especially ones that capture our love for one another. 
3. We ADORE Seattle. After moving here from Colorado 4 years ago, we couldn't imagine calling anywhere else HOME.
4. We love to laugh and smile. I was voted best "sense of humor" in high school, and Adam was voted best comedian of 2011 by ME at our coffee table dinner last week. 
5. My birthday is in about 2 weeks and I'm sure Adam has nothing in the works yet. You could help him give me the birthday gift of the century: a picture of us by Sarah and Chris Rhoads!

Now tell me, how could I choose anyone else with that kind of convincing?! These two were a blast. Since it's been almost two weeks since the session my guess is this post is probably just in time for Jenn's Birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENN!! 



Thoughts
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Moyra Dalete says: Thursday, April 28, 2011, 07:01 PM

Hi , Sarah

Seu trabalho é perfeito ...eu simplesmente amo =)

God Bless You

Moyra Dalete says: Thursday, April 28, 2011, 06:59 PM

Sarah Rhoads , admiro muito seu trabalho.
Perfeito e emocionante =)

God Bless you !!!

Moyra Dalete says: Thursday, April 28, 2011, 06:59 PM

Sarah Rhoads , admiro muito seu trabalho.
Perfeito e emocionante =)

God Bless you !!!

Rich Park says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 09:09 AM

super stylish and beautiful couple. love how you captured their smiles!

Kelly MacDonald says: Monday, April 25, 2011, 10:51 AM

Your shots are so real. so true. Love every one - I always seem to leave your blog with a huge smile on my face.

Spencer Combs says: Monday, April 25, 2011, 08:04 AM

LOVE this!!!! The moments are perfect!

Annie says: Friday, April 22, 2011, 04:33 PM

Can I be your model next time you come to Australia? :) LOVE these!

Jenn says: Friday, April 22, 2011, 10:40 AM

Sarah!!! Thank you so much for allowing us to hang with you, Chris and Greg in the rain! We had a ton of fun! These pictures are amazing and I feel so lucky to have had my love for my hubby captured in your lens. You are SO talented! Thank you gal!

Greg Hoskins says: Friday, April 22, 2011, 10:03 AM

Jenn and Adam were such a cute couple! You guys did awesome with these, Sarah and Chris! And happy birthday, Jenn!

Terra Nyce says: Friday, April 22, 2011, 09:38 AM

Love seeing what you capture. The candid shots are always my favorite, and you seem to do it exceptionally well! Thanks for sharing and inspiring. :)

Thursday, April 21, 2011, 08:53 AM
They say the most important decision you will ever make in your life is who you decide to link arms with for life. I feel so grateful that I have such a fearless, funny and selfless partner in crime. Chris pushes me to be better on a daily basis. He makes me laugh till I cry and fills in my many weak gaps. He dreams big with me and understands me... I am one VERY lucky girl. 

Today is my sweet man's birthday. He deserves a celebration like no other, with fireworks, ponies, clowns and face paint but he's a simple guy and eats humble pie and wouldn't let me organize anything with friends because he didn't want to 'inconvenience' people. He is not a guy for 'fanfare' (he married a girl that is ;) That is just the type of guy he is. 

But on this special day that I am so grateful Chris was born, since he wouldn't let me throw a big party, I just wanted to put up a little post so I could still make Chris feel immensely loved, even if it is via the interwebs by my lovely friends and blog readers. Here is Chris' twitter if you want to send him a shout out. Now to the smartest, funniest, seriously most awesome guy I know... Happy Birthday babe!

Thoughts
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Annie says: Friday, April 22, 2011, 03:08 AM

Happy Birthday Chris! (Love that last pic lots! :))

Adam Pratt says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 09:03 PM

From one birthday-avoider to another, blessings!

Gemma says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 03:51 PM

Happy birthday dude!
Such lovely words from your Sarah.
Enjoy. xo

Rebecca Cash says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 02:51 PM

Happy Birthday Chris!!! You & Sarah are amazing! Have a wonderful birthday!

Greg Hoskins says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 02:46 PM

Happy birthday Chris! You rock!

shannon sewell says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 12:59 PM

hope you are having a fabulous day chris!!! cyber jump house & balloons sent your way! :) happy birthday!

~S

Patrina says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 11:23 AM

Happy, happy birthday, Chris! Here's to another awesome year for you!

Marissa Maharaj says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 10:16 AM

CHRIS YOU ROCK. What would we do without your tech support, your hilarious quips, your serious musical talent, and your taste for fine whiskey? Our lives would be far more dull, for one thing. Love and birthday hugs from California!

Tonhya Kae says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 10:15 AM

Happy Birthday Chris! : ) I hope you have a wonderful day!

tif says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 10:08 AM

Magic!!!!!!!!!!!

chriStina e says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 09:39 AM

lovely!

Kim newsom says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 09:14 AM

Beautiful

Airika Pope says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 09:10 AM

Happy birthday, Chris. Gerald & I feel so lucky to have you and Sarah in our lives. We too appreciate your thoughtfulness and genuine love for the people around you. And of course, Gerald loves having a golf buddy. I hope you have a wonderful day and let's celebrate in person soon!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:20 AM
Olita & Steve are so thoughtful, sweet, smart and absolutely full of joy. Olita is a striking beauty. Steve is so smart, driven and the way he looks at Olita will make your heart melt. My cheeks hurt after my time with them... It felt good to have my cheeks hurt like that. Their session reminded me of exactly what I love about clicking the shutter. Steve and Olita let their guard down with me, showed me who they really are without reservation. Those are the kind of people I love to make magic with. These two ebb kindness and it rubs off on everyone they come into contact with, we feel fortunate to have them in our little "Sarah Rhoads Family." :)

Olita had her hair & makeup done for the session by Tiffany Lowry who somehow managed to make one of the prettiest girls in the land even more gorgeous (a task which seems close to impossible). I had such a fun afternoon hanging out around Ballard and going to the beach with these two. They are an absolute delight to be around. We cannot wait to share their big day with them this summer! 



Thoughts
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kathleen says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 08:13 PM

Such beautiful photos! The joy that radiates from all of these images (the third one in particular) is really lovely... they look like an awesome couple.

Erika Peterson says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 08:13 AM

Olita is gorgeous! And so are these pictures :) Well done!

Schantel {kiekiephoto} says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 06:18 AM

I love your work! This shoot is so cute!

Annie says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 12:35 AM

Such sweetness. Beautiful :)

Spencer Combs says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 10:48 PM

So GREAT! You guys always kill it! That bird shot on the rocks is the money!

Kathryn Bradley says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 06:04 PM

Sarah, these are sooooo wonderful! Olita and Steve are such beautiful people in every sense of the word and you captured them perfectly. Can't wait for their wedding!

Matt Teague says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 03:54 PM

Love the raw emotion you have captured in these images, such a cute couple! Everyone of your shoots tells a story from start to end, this is no exception.
SMILES =]

Olita says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 03:25 PM

Love love love these images, Sarah! And I can remember exactly what we were talking/laughing about in every one. Thank you! XO

Jenn Stark says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 03:06 PM

These are amazing Sarah & Chris. They look like such a cute and fun couple! xo

Tif says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 02:22 PM

They Make me Love love more then I loved love:)!!- Just breathtaking- SR-Really:)

Rich Park says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 11:30 AM

shots are beautiful and classy just like this couple!

Danica says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 11:04 AM

just darling!! it's so great to have a job where you get to meet such lovely friends! really touching work :)

Holly says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:59 AM

wonderful interaction with your couple!! LOVELY!

chriStina e says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:49 AM

That last one is really cute.

anda says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:42 AM

all the ones on the beach .... pure gorgeousness. man i miss the pnw.

Rensche Mari says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:36 AM

these are absolutely lovely! You captured them beautifully.

Christopher says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:27 AM

Awesome job! I like reading your blogs and how you really get to know your clients. You guys rock!

Erin says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:27 AM

Love as always!!
Your work is soooo inspiring!!

Christopher says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:27 AM

Awesome job! I like reading your blogs and how you really get to know your clients. You guys rock!

Monday, April 18, 2011, 08:52 AM
I have always loved the Dear Abby section in the newspaper. It's the place where people can write in questions to ask advice to the ominous "Abby" who apparently knows all things about well... ALL things. Not sure who crowned miss Abby the queen of "knowing it all" but she sure does know a thing or two about humanity, manners, people and everything else in between.

My inbox can get pretty full from questions from photographers, due to limited time during the day and in an effort to keep my priorities straight I am unable to answer each and every photo related question, but I sure would love to. So perhaps I will do a "Dear Abby" section of the blog if I have some good questions come through- if you have one, leave it in the comment section of this post. The other week one of our blog readers, Annie, sent me a short email with the following question;

Annie Asked: Do you have any tips about what to do when there isn't any work coming in? Anything I can actively do to push myself, take risks, etc. I want to follow my dreams, but sitting around waiting for the work to come in doesn't feel like I'm taking any steps towards anything. I need movement! 

I asked Annie if it was okay that I posted her question on the blog and answered it here since I would imagine it will likely be of help to someone else out there reading, she kindly said yes. And thus begins my feeble attempt to KNOW it all like our sweet miss Abby from the paper. But really all I know is what I have learned from my limited life experience... so here goes.

We've all had slower seasons of our business'. I can remember picking up shop and moving to a brand new city (Seattle) where I knew no one. I didn't exactly have people knocking down my door to hire me at that time. So what did I do? I made things happen. I reached out to fellow photographers in the area, I networked with vendors, coordinators and the like, I worked on a couple personal projects, I approached couples I saw at the market and asked if I could photograph them, I explored, I improved my website, I brainstormed ways I could get my name in front of more people in my new market by providing value to their respective brands. 

Basically the bottom line is this, regardless of where you are at in your business you've got to POUND THE PAVEMENT. Work isn't coming in? What a great opportunity to use free time to meet with people, explore a creative endeavor, figure out new ways to get your name in front of people, and for goodness sake KEEP SHOOTING. Work IS pouring in? Guess what, the answer's the same, POUND THE PAVEMENT! Work even harder for your clients, go above and beyond, keep your name at the forefront of their minds. Continue to carve out time for personal creative endeavors and SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT... and then go out and shoot some more. Because guess what, we've all got a long way to go until we get to that 10,000 hour mark. Throughout life there are seasons of great fruitfulness and conversely seasons of drought... each teach us very valuable lessons about ourselves. The valleys make the mountaintops that much greater, but it is what we do in the valley that really counts. It is what we do in the seasons of drought that truly show us what we are made of and prepare us for the season of abundance. Make it count.  -Sarah 


Thoughts
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hayley says: Saturday, July 9, 2011, 07:39 PM

you are incredibly inspiring my dear.

Dana says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 12:53 PM

This message is so on point for me and where I am in my career at the moment!!! Thank you!!! xo

Kaysha says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 04:28 PM

This post was exactly what I needed today, thank you!!

Jade says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 01:05 PM

The valleys make the mountaintops that much greater, but it is what we do in the valley that really counts. It is what we do in the seasons of drought that truly show us what we are made of and prepare us for the season of abundance."
This is true not just in my photography, but in my personal life as well. This has been a hard season for me, but I've done some real showing up in my valley. Thank you for these words! thankyouthankyouthankyou

Anda says: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 12:01 PM

oh YES, i love this new type of post, sarah! and i like how it goes hand-in-hand with your journalism background. you have your own 'column' now :) can't wait for future installments.

chriStina e says: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 11:34 AM

EXACTLY! that is exactly what I am doing.... Self-schooling and finding work to keep me busy, even if it is unpaid. I learn from every experience. And I think it's what we do with the slow time, that determines where we end up... Thanks for sharing your words.

Patrina says: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 10:02 AM

LOL @ Rog. So funny!
Sarah -- you are so wise. Wise beyond your years. Lots of love to you always.

Rich Park says: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 07:43 AM

time to go pound some pavement - thanks for the advice!

Jacqueline says: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 07:40 AM

Yes please! Please do this "Dear Abby"esque thing -- I would love to read your answers, especially if they're as thoughtful as this one.

My question is along related lines -- when reaching out to fellow photogs, how can you foster a relationship that is one not of competition, but of collaboration and support?

Rog says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 01:49 PM

Super rad. I want to make-out with this post.

melina says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 01:22 PM

this is exactly what i needed. at this very moment. i hope to someday be able to give to others like you so generously do :)

tif says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 10:51 AM

Beautiful and very true:)

ShariLee says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 09:12 AM

Love this idea Sarah! You are such a wise woman and I absolutely love reading your blog! Thank you for being such an open book!

Marissa Rodriguez says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 09:08 AM

This is great! Thank you Sarah!

Jordanne Fallon says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 09:01 AM

Wow. Thank you so much. This really helped a lot!!

joanna brown says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 08:59 AM

this is fantastic advice, I did exactly the same thing with sheer determination, vision and a leap of faith and hard graft you can make your dreams come true...

Alex says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 08:59 AM

Dear Sarah,
You rock. I am SO happy that you have introduced a Dear Abby section :) Can't wait for more - and I loved this one and all of your advice, you are very true with all that you said.
With love,
Alex

joanna brown says: Monday, April 18, 2011, 08:59 AM

this is fantastic advice, I did exactly the same thing with sheer determination, vision and a leap of faith and hard graft you can make your dreams come true...