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WPPI Album Awards of Excellence!!
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Monday, March 29, 2010, 07:36 AM
A couple of weeks ago we headed to Las Vegas for the annual WPPI Convention (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). 14,000 other photographers from all over the world came out for the convention and it was an amazing time. We entered a couple of albums into the International Print and Album Competition, these albums were judged and critiqued by artists/photographers from all over the world, and we just got our results back! We were so excited to hear that the two albums we submitted received Accolades of Excellence!! What an honor!

Maureen and Vitaliy's Wedding Album and Emma and Bubba's Lifestyle Engagement Album both received the Awards of Excellence!! 

We love the process of designing a good book, our images look best in a book that tells a story. It was a real honor to receive these awards against so many amazing books that were entered. And a big shout out to Maureen and Vitaliy and Emma and Bubba for being amazing clients and friends and giving us 100% complete creative freedom! We produce our best work when we are given that kind of trust form our clients. A fun NYC photo shoot coming your way tomorrow :)





Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (10)
Maureen & Vitaliy says: Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 12:20 PM

Thank YOU, Sarah & Chris! Our wedding album gives us unspeakable joy; it was the best investment we've ever made. Congrats!
Kayla says: Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 07:49 AM

Congrats! You totally deserve it! Your photos and your album designs are amazing!
Hannah Taylor says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 05:02 PM

So wonderful!!
Katy S. says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 11:57 AM

i've thought it many times and i'll say it again -

Looking at your work makes me feel like I'm falling in love, over and over again.
Jenny J says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 10:36 AM

well deserved. congrats!
daniel usenko says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 09:45 AM

Congrats! Emma & Bubba's album is shweeet
Jill says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 09:19 AM

I don't know if people use this word anymore...but DUH! You guys had the best albums at the show in my opinion. ;-)
amber says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 08:14 AM

I saw the lifestyle album at the renaissance booth at wppi. i was completely blown away! fantastic design and fantastic photography!

i know you've said you do all the layout in indesign...do you export as jpg's or pdf before sending to your printer? using indesign makes so much sense versus photoshop!

anyway like always you two push the boundaries and completely inspire me! great meeting you at wppi @ the dpi booth after your "talk". someday i'll make it to seattle for a mentor session ; )
mary says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 07:56 AM

congrats!!! always inspired by your album designs!
Kerry says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 07:51 AM

WOW! CONGRATULATIONS! You are so inspiring to me.

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Nomination for Photographer of the Year!
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 09:18 AM
Chris and I feel so honored and stoked to be nominated for Blu Domain's Photographer of the Year for 2009-2010! Especially to stand up there with a handful of other very talented friends and colleagues that I respect so much. 

We were interviewed yesterday for the nomination; and for those who care to read a little more about the things we  splurge on, what Chris is addicted to and what makes us tick you can check out the interview here: http://bludomain.com/blog.cfm. Voting opens today at some point (I'm sure they will post it on their blog) and we would love your support. 

The Rhoads have come a long way but we still have a very long way to go. We were having dinner the other night with our friends Brian Wurzell and Promise Tangeman Wurzell. We got into a discussion about common traits among very successful people in their respective fields. People who have achieved great success over long or short periods of time. Brian pointed out that the one thing he noticed about all of the people who have achieved great success over long or short periods of time went through a "season" of life where they were totally focused on what was in front of them. An interesting and insightful thought that I think has a lot of truth to it. I recently read Outliers by Malcom Gladwell. In his book Gladwell stresses three main points; hard work is critical to success, BUT successful people were often in the right place at the right time AND (and most importantly IMO) 10,0000 hours of working on skill is the magic number. The first people to get there have a distinct advantage.
I feel like I have spent A LOT of time behind the camera recently. My life right now consists of shoot/edit/shoot/edit repeat process. However, I still have a lot of hours to put under my belt before I get to 10K hours behind the camera. Every time I shoot I get pumped! I learn something new. I get more confident behind the camera with every click of the shutter. We get quite a few e mails asking about how to become a better photographer, how to achieve success in this industry.... The truth is, I'm not really sure... but a few things I do know; We try to do everything we do with Excellence, work hard and log TONS of hours behind the camera, making 10,000 hours our goal. I'm working on those things everyday. 
What do you think the keys to success or achievement are? 
Anyway... just some thoughts I have been pondering lately. Happy Hump Day!

Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (19)
matt sloan says: Friday, September 25, 2009, 01:32 AM

congrats guys! we are proud to be included in such an awesome group of nominations! :)
Sean McLellan says: Thursday, September 24, 2009, 05:48 PM

AWESOME! Congrats on the nomination--best of luck!!
Christian says: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 11:00 AM

You guys have my vote! You are both amazing photographers! I check your blog everyday for new pix. You have such a refreshing style. I LOVE it!

-Christian

Christian says: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 11:00 AM

You guys have my vote! You are both amazing photographers! I check your blog everyday for new pix. You have such a refreshing style. I LOVE it!

-Christian

URSULA says: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 11:18 PM

CONGRATULATIONS! IT MUST HAVE HAPPEN - YOU ARE THE BEST. I SUFFER FOR YOUR BLOG - I LIKE YOUR BLOG CAUSE YOU ARE SO BUSY AND EVERYTIME I WATCH THERE IS SOMETHING NEW. I LIKE YOUR STYLE SO MUCH! ... BEST WISHES!!
geri e. says: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 07:16 PM

how fun! so happy for you.
totally deserved.
Tressa says: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 12:59 PM

BIG huge CONGRATS!

Jonda Spurbeck says: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 10:16 AM

wishing you the best. i think you guys are incredible, and really hope you win! hugs
Angie says: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 10:02 AM

Congrats! You guys deserve it. Your work is incredible!

Kim Dewey says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 11:32 PM

You deserve it!

Kim Kalyn says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 05:28 PM

I am going to go vote for you guys right now! You are just amazing and a true inspiration :) GOOD LUCK !!!
LisaK says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 03:34 PM

Thats so fantastic!! You guys are totally amazing so I'm not the least bit surprised at your nomination. Good luck ; )
Candice {The Beautiful Mess} says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 12:28 PM

Congrats you two!!!
Sarah Anna Hansen says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 11:39 AM

Congrats!!!
Becka @Studio222 Photography says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 10:43 AM

Congrats! You guys most definitely deserve it! I love your work.

Alexandra says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 09:55 AM

Congratulations!!!
Johan Rubens says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 09:53 AM

Voting for you guys is a no-brainer.
Good luck! You very much deserve the recognition!
Joop
matthew lyons says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 09:51 AM

Congratulations on being nominated.
Ellie says: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 09:33 AM

I truly, truly find think you speak from experience and love for what you do. It shows. I am stoked to hear more in the future.
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Blu's Photographer of the Year!?!
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Thursday, June 18, 2009, 08:31 PM
So I was super shocked to come home from my shoot today with a twitter message from my girl Elesia @photogeninc with a congrats on being nominated for Blu Domain's Photographers of the Year!! Chris and I are super honored to be on the list along with some great friends and photographers that we admire ;) I'm a little giddy right now. 
We sure would be forever grateful if our loyal blog readers and friends would vote for us when the time comes ;) 

I feel like I just need to take a moment and thank a lot of our blog readers and friends for being so supportive and encouraging of us. I can't tell you how much it means for us to read each of your comments and receive your e mails. Knowing that our work inspires something in someone is probably the best compliment anyone could give us. It is so encouraging to us and is just a reminder to us that we are doing exactly what we were created to do. 
So thank you... from the bottom of our hearts. Each and every one of your comments is read and appreciated more than you will know. ;)

In other news... Chris surprised me yesterday morning with an early anniversary gift of a lens that I have been wanting for a while now, the Canon 50mm f/1.2 ... Instead of expensive jewelry items these are the things that dorky photographers get one another as a "romantic" anniversary gifts ;) It made me giddy anyway. I just used it on a shoot I had tonight and LOVED it, although I don't think anything can come between me and my favorite lens, the Canon 35mm f/1.4. Off to sushi with friends! Have a lovely evening guys! 

And thanks BLU for the awesome nomination!! Made our night!


Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (21)
ron storer says: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 05:20 AM

sorry missed this award! Much deserved and kudos!

Ellie says: Sunday, June 21, 2009, 04:35 PM

Amazing, you have my vote, if there is voting involved, because you are Absolutely fabulous.
Rachel says: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 02:51 PM

So exciting! I think you deserve it, your work is amazing!

Ketti says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 08:38 PM

Congrats - I hope you guys win! You've been such an inspiration, I'm addicted to your blog.
Jenna says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 08:19 PM

I'm not surprised at all. Your work is inspirational and gorgeous and I can't help but keep coming back for more. Congrats!
Amanda H says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 07:44 PM

You deserve every single bit of it. Your drive, enthusiasm, spunk and passion is UNMATCHED!
Stephanie Williams Photography says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 07:10 PM

Wow!! That's awesome - congrats guys!!
Chad Hansen says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 05:20 PM

Congrats! You are very deserving of that honor!
Sacha says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 01:22 PM

Can't wait to vote for you on Blu - you are the bomb! Love your maternity session recently - I am inspired to try to convince my clients to not go for what they have seen you are supposed to do in a preggy session, but rather to capture who they are. Thanks so much for keeping it real and keeping it so fresh - love your work!
Heather says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 11:16 AM

Congrats on the nomination! You deserve it. Oh and that's an awesome anniversary present. I've used a friends before and loved that lens.

Dominoe Imus says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 10:16 AM

You deserve every inch of praise you get, you both are so talented!! Also, that's pretty much the most romantic anniversary present I have ever heard of. Congrats on everything!!
Emma Robertson says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 07:06 AM

You got my vote!!!! Goodluck :)
michelle sidles says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 06:40 AM

Congrats on you BluDomain award!! And I totally hear you with the dorky photo gifts. For valentines day I got the 24-70 2.8 and for mother's day I got a shoot sac!! It was better than diamonds! ;)
Manon says: Friday, June 19, 2009, 01:35 AM

you two totally deserve it. Your photographs rock.
marissa moss says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 11:17 PM

congratulations! very exciting (though, not surprising) : )
Rog says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 11:11 PM

Hey, I'm here to cast my vote. I can't stand in the back of the line though mam', I've got a greyhound in the back seat of my volvo that is gonna puke sometime soon. Do you wanna clean it up? I didn't think so, so where's my pen and how do I vote.
Mel Watson says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 10:59 PM

Congratulations!!! Such a well deserved nomination! :) High fives to Chris for giving you an awesome anniversary gift. Nothing says love like a pretty new lens. ;) Happy Anniversary to you both!

Nicole Monique Photography says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 10:28 PM

Congrats you two! Its no surprise to me though ;-) You have inspired me in so many ways and I can only imagine how many others have been also. I will absolutely vote for you when the time comes! Keep rockin it out!
Peg says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 10:06 PM

way to go!! so exciting you must be on cloud 9!
Tanya Perez says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 10:05 PM

Sooo very well deserved! :)

Melissa Shaw says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 09:33 PM

Awesome news, congratulations!