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A few weeks ago we flew out to Colorado to do a mentor session with Patrina Odette. While we were there, Patrina also hired Chris and I to shoot her amazing "not so little" ;) family! I honestly don't even know where to start because the entire experience of the shoot was not only Epic but totally challenged me and grew me in huge ways. Also, I can't go on enough about Patrina's amazing heart and what her mentor session was like for us. So I guess I'll start with that....
Patrina wanted to do an all day (8 hour) mentor session with us, which was really fun because she arranged a shoot with a fantastic couple Colorado couple, Lee and Radleigh, that I will be posting soon. Patrina was really interested in how we work on a shoot as well as how to connect with her subjects and post processing techniques. We of course covered all of those bases and a lot more, but what most impacted Chris and I during the mentor session was Patrina's amazing heart for others. Her ability to make you feel totally comfortable to let your guard down, her ability to make you laugh. She is compassionate, thoughtful, kind and so generous.... and not to mention a fantastic momma to her four kidos. We had an amazing time with her at the mentor session and it is always so encouraging to have someone fly us all the way to Denver because they want to hear a little bit about how we do things... It is so very humbling.
The day after the mentor session we arranged to have the most fantastic little lifestyle family shoot with Patrina's family at the Boulder Flat Irons. We were going to have the family out in the mountains on a picnic blanket with a big picnic basket and the works. Well, as it would turn out, the weather that day was absolutely terrible, 30 mph winds, thunderstorms, rain... oh and yes.... tornadoes. I talked to Patrina and we decided to go forward with the shoot. Mostly because Patrina and her family are totally amazing and adventurous and also because she had WAY more faith in me than I had in my self! I was sitting there thinking to myself, "Oh crap, shooting in heavy rain, bad wind, tornado warnings, it's super dark, and trying to make a family of 6 all look good, AND no reschedules because we fly out tomorrow.....can I really pull this off??" I was nervous as I had ever been for a shoot. And as we were driving out to Boulder it was almost as if we were driving into the black abyss, the heart of the storm. My stomach was sinking because I knew it was now or never, I had to preform and do my very best with the situation I was given.
When we finally arrived to the Flat Irons for the shoot the heavy rain turned to a sprinkle for a moment so we began to "hike in" to the shooting location. We were fine until we got to the spot we were shooting and it began to pour ruthlessly on us. It honestly was kind of hilarious thinking back now, but at the time I was freaking out a little bit inside ;). I included a photo with the fam on the blanket with the rain pouring down with an umbrella over them that they all didn't fit under. They were such great sports and just laughed about it but this was definitley not the shoot the family and I had dreamed for. It was at that point, with all of us soaking wet that I just start accepting that those may be the only shots that we will walk away with from this shoot because it was raining so bloody hard. And there I am, gripping my camera tighter than ever, snapping my shutter frantically and praying so hard for God to bail me out of this one and stop the rain. And what do you know!? The rain stopped. The deer came out. It was still. Until the kids pointed out a tornado off in the distance! eek. Seven tornadoes touched down that evening during our shoot. We were all soaking wet but we rolled with the punches. That's life I suppose. And I was really thrilled with the way we were still able to capture Patrina's family despite all the craziness and the chaos.
I was stretched as an artist and a person during that shoot. I have never shot in such terrible weather conditions. I told myself, if I can pull this off with Sarah Rhoads gusto, I can pull off anything ;) It gave me confidence and encouragement. A huge part of the success of the shoot was the Odette's. Unlike most families, they didn't let the rain bother them, they were up for the adventure, they were able to just laugh about it and make the best of it. That kind of attitude is what saves a shoot. I feel so honored I was able to shoot this beautiful family. And I feel so thankful for the incredible "life nuggets" I was able to walk away with during our time in Colorado with the Odette family. Thank you all sincerely from the bottom of our hearts...
Thoughts
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Beautiful images way to hard to pic a Favourite
Love the umbrella shot!
one of my absolute favourite family portrait! makes me want to have a big family!!!!
I LOOOOVE the picnic basket shot with the umbrella SO cute!!!
WONDERFUL! Sarah, you are amazing. You caught this gorgeous family perfectly in the pouring rain! That is an amazing feat. I especially love the one where the family is standing equally spaced apart out in the field. Although it did get that song from The Sound of Music stuck in my head all day. You know.. the one where they all sing about the clock on the wall before heading off to bed. LOL! Awesome job!
And THAT is another reason as to why you are so amazing! Seriously :)
@darby I have an amazing hubby who held an umbrella over me for most of the shoot :) He saved my butt
If my work in PERFECT weather could only be this amazing.... I would be in HEAVEN.
By the way...how'd you keep your camera dry enough to continue?
Amazing stuff...any pics of the tornadoes? :)
What an amazing session, especially with the weather conditions! You guys are brave and completely awesome! Great job!
Hey Sarah! We should of definitely gotten a drink together....well - next time or next time i come there for a shoot! ;) Oh yeah...welcome to Colorado weather! Typical! Our weather is never typical. ;)
Couldn't have done a better job. Can't even tell that you don't rock out family sessions every day. These are amazing!
i'm so bummed you came to boulder and didn't even say "hi" i know you don't know me, but still, you should have said "hi" next time!
These are beautiful!! I'm so inspired.
Love these! Everything about them. Especially love the piled up family shot.
Wow... incredibly gorgeous images of a beautiful family (and good friend - love ya, P!)
Just spectacular! The photos capture so much about the Odette Family. My favorite is the group cuddled around Patrina, amazing & beautiful. LOVE LOVE!
Wonderful work, Sarah. I adore your style. I've known Patrina for about three years and there's no other strong, adventurous woman that I'd rather have hold my hand and walk into a storm : ) Her friendliness and joy really is contagious! I cried scrolling through gorgeous shot after gorgeous shot of them. This shoot speaks volumes about their close family vibe and your skill as a photographer. Patrina is a goddess.
What comes across in all of your blog posts is your sincerity in all that you do. I'm amazed at how openly you shared the challenges facing you in this shoot, I would never of known looking at images. The images are powerful. Full of love and quiet moments. This is one of my favourite shoots of yours. It's real, full of love and heart. I love that you took time to photograph the parents in a romantic moment as well as with their adorable kids. Beautiful images in so many ways. You are gifted.
If you hadn't preceded this post with all the craziness of this shoot, I wouldn't have known. These images are beautiful and are a true testament to how awesome the Rhoads really are. Stunning.
wow. last one is my favorite, for sure! these are all amazing though!
I just love the picnic ones of her and her hubby. And the last one of everyone cuddled around her. Worth 10,000 words.
What a wonderful story!! Fabulous photos, great location. . but what I really love is that you can feel the *heart* in this family and in their photogs ;)
~Jennifer
Oh-My-Goodness! I just came across your website tonight and I myself am in love. In love with your amazing talent, with that adorable family, and with Colorado. Im not a photographer, but just someone who loves photography. I will check your site more often to sit and enjoy great images. Please tell me how you achieved those great silvery black and white images!
That last one really speaks to me. As a mom myself, that would be the one I'd cherish most. Time just stands still when I look at this picture of all the love her family is giving her. To me she is saying, "I am loved." The best reward as a mom is the love your child gives you. Even after a crazy day, nothing matters when they cuddle and kiss you and give you that sweet little giggle.
I think I'm in love all over again. With this shoot. With my family. With my husband. With you and Chris. With life. With Colorado. Thank you -- these are more perfect than I could've ever imagined. A night we'll never forget. Thank you Sarah and Chris! xoxo
Oh my, these photos are breathtaking! I can understand your fears Sarah but you clearly needn't have worried. You are so gifted and these photos are all so wonderful. Really, they probably wouldn't be nearly as amazing if the weather had been 'perfect'. You rock!
You capture LOVE. It's a beautiful thing.
My dreams aren't even this colorful. Note to self: try to dream better than Sarah takes pictures.
Ohhhhhhhh. That's all I can do. All I can do when I think of you. ;) You're incredible Miss Sarah Rhoads.
Awesome'ness!!!!!!