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
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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.

Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:15 AM
I like to create my life around living in open spaces. Spaces where imagination soars rampant and I can embrace an unfettered hope for what could be. Living with the posture of possibility opens our hearts and minds to the unlimited potential that resides within each of us. That is the world I want to live in. The world of possibility.

I am an ENFP (if you have never taken your temperament test through Myers Briggs I highly recommend it, it will not only help you understand yourself but also others and why they do the things that they do... and it is insanely accurate). It is in my temperament to have my head in the clouds and to live in the world of possibility. I have always been a day dreamer. To me, there is no better way to live than through dreaming and turning those infinite possibilities into tangible realities. This practice is absolutely invigorating to me.

In this world, knowledge is gained by invention. Instead of life appearing as static and mundane, in the world of possibility, life and relationships in it appear as a wild and colorful tapestry. Something to take, hold, and suck the nectar out of. When we live in this state of openness we look at life with a sort of infinite magnitude. 

Many people are closed off to allowing themselves to dream of what is possible and I believe it is the reason why many people only tap into a very limited scope of their potential. We live in a society that that discourages this type of "head in the clouds" ideology. We live in a society that is scared. Scared to fail. Scared to dream. In the posture of possibility there is no such thing as failure... only learning for the future. This is the world I want to live in, the world of possibility. 

Thoughts
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Emily Scott says: Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 03:25 PM

I am an ENFP and I am happy to hear you describe it to the world. And it is encouraging that you are making it with your own business- sometimes I have such a hard time getting things "done" and I get discouraged. But you give me permission to be me and make it work. Thanks for that.

Jessica Bottomly says: Monday, March 29, 2010, 11:26 AM

I am also an ENFP!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love your thoughts on it. The World of "What could be" and Dreaming is so much fun! Thanks for reminding me and encouraging me in this "settler" season of motherhood. :)

Sacha says: Sunday, March 28, 2010, 07:26 AM

I am an ENFP too! I remember times through my life, when I had taken off to travel, or to write a book, or even now that I take photos for a living, that people have said to me, "Oh, I wish I could do that" and I think to myself, and sometimes have had the courage to say, that the only difference was that I was doing it and they were dreaming it. Nothing else was different but their fear to risk losing whatever it was they were holding on to in order to do that thing they always imagined and dreamed. Thanks, as always, for sharing your thoughts. xx

Jenny J says: Friday, March 26, 2010, 10:44 PM

So funny you post this because I've been pouring over MBTI stuff lately. One of my best friends is an ENFP and her husband the INFP. We've always said they were the same person, save for the way they get energy from the world. I'm an ESFJ (which will be a "no duh" to anyone that has ever met me) and knowing how I make sense of the world and the information I use to make decisions has really helped me make better ones. Now if only I can get Robin to take it...

Melina Wallisch says: Friday, March 26, 2010, 05:46 PM

I'm a capricorn w/ pisces tendencies :-) not sure all the meaning, but I'm always learning...great picture BTW

jane button says: Friday, March 26, 2010, 12:32 PM

Ahhh! I took this test three years ago and I was the EXACT opposite - an ISTJ! I hope that doesn't make you rethink my potential mentoring session :)

Becka @Studio222 Photography says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 09:22 PM

I'm an INFP :)

HannahTaylor says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:31 PM

I love Myers-Briggs! I am an ENFJ. I love having a passion that connects so many people. When you accept who you are life is just more fun!

Natalie says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:10 PM

Sarah, thanks for bringing a daily dose of inspiration, passion, and imagination to your blog and everything you do! (I'm an INFP.)

Natalie says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:09 PM

Sarah, thanks for bringing a daily dose of inspiration, passion, and imagination to your blog and everything you do! (I'm an INFP.)

Natalie says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:08 PM

Sarah, thanks for bringing a daily dose of inspiration, passion, and imagination to your blog and everything you do! (I'm an INFP.)

kelsee reeves says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 05:31 PM

i'm an INFP who loves to do portrait photography.

sarahrhoads says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 04:59 PM

@Patrick I think all of us are wired differently to add variety and color to the world. My husband, Chris, is an INFP, so he is an natural introvert and Chris kills it when it comes to coming up with creative concepts and executing them on shoots. I don't think a photographer has to fit a certain temperament type to be successful. I think it is a matter of seeing your Introversion as a strength rather than a weakness in your job... :)

Patrick says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 02:40 PM

It seems to me that many photographers are extroverted. It makes sense though because portrait photographers need to be out-going enough to make people at ease when they're being photographed. I took the Myers-Briggs test at a career workshop in December and the results revealed that I'm a strong introvert. At the same time, I love photography and taking portraits of people but I'm not the most talkative but I think I instill a sense of calmness/easy-goiness (is that even a word?) :)

Do you think introverts can make good portrait photographers? =/

Jeanette LeBlanc says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 01:33 PM

I am inspired every time I read your blog - both as a photographer and as a person. Inspired to take more risks, to unleash my imaginings, to allow my children more freedom to define their own reality....the list goes on.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Marc Javier says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 01:15 PM

Sarah, I LOVE the dare-to-dream-up-an-atom attitude you exude and drill down on the blog. It gives your readers a nice, daily dose of hope and energy. Every time I've taken the MBTI, the outcome was either ISFP or INTJ. Hmmm...

Marc Javier says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 01:08 PM

Sarah, I simply LOVE the dare-to-dream-up-an-atom attitude you exude and drill down on the blog. It gives your readers a nice, daily dose of hope and energy. Well done!

Janet McK says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 12:26 PM

insanely accurate is right! I'm an ENTP. Knowing who I am gives me the freedom to not be someone I'm not :)

Kat Speyer says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 10:34 AM

ENFPs represent! I totally feel you, Sarah. :)

Laura says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 09:14 AM

I'm an INFX (I tied between the J and the P), but this was still extremely inspiring! Thanks Sarah. I always love reading your blog!

Michael Wachniak says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:55 AM

This post is exactly what we all need to see :) Can you believe its been so long since I did my Myers Briggs that I don't even remember who I am? How INSANE is that? Off to remedy that now! :)

Kerry says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:53 AM

I'm packing my bags and moving there :)

Katie Neal Photo says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:37 AM

I'm an ENFP too! Wahooo!! You are amazing Sarah! So inspirational!

Joy Nudd (@joynudd) says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:36 AM

This is crazy. I just tweeted: "Fill in the blank. My dream is to _______________________. " right before you posted your blog post/link. Its for a project i am working on and your post just took the words out of my mouth. Can I get permission from you if I can post your message on my new blog launch in a few (with credit of course!) Its exactly what I had in mind and I believe in it so much! thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Anda says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:30 AM

whoop!! i'm an ENFP as well. i always thought i was introverted until i took this test (a few times) and always came-out an ENFP. then i read into the true difference b/t introversion and extroversion and realized that i am, indeed, actually extroverted. interesting.

sarahrhoads says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:29 AM

@JasonWilliams I love every ENFP I have ever met :)

Jason Williams says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:26 AM

Great motivation for the day Sarah....I may be a tad biased though...I am also an ENFP. :)

Monday, March 22, 2010, 09:41 AM
Although New York was a trip for business, when you do what you love you never work a day in your life.... so for us it felt like an "inspiration-cation" :). An inspiration-cation is a word that I came up with while walking around New York the other day that seemed to fit the bill. New York is a city full of inspiration and putting a few of our friends all in one place for a weekend makes it that much more inspiring, motivating and incredible. 

The Big Apple is the home to about eight million people of every race, color and creed... it is a city full of allure, hope and hustle. Every person I know in New York knows how to work extremely hard to get what they want. It is a city that doesn't settle for anything shy of exceptional. If you are mediocre you will flounder. There is something so attractive about that aspect of New York. And I have a great respect for those people that continue to thrive in this amazing city because most times it is a sure tell sign they have shed blood sweat and tears to get to where they are.

Everywhere we walked inspiration surrounded us. It was in the air there (and I might add it helped that the air was a nice 70 degrees and sunny the entire time we were there). The art on the sidewalks/the brick walls, the head to toe personal style on every person that walks by, the colors, the food! I could go on and on. It was so great to spend time with people that we love and that inspire us as well. I highly recommend an "inspiration-cation" to all.... and if you want one that is sure to inspire... go to New York. 



Thoughts
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natasha says: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 07:46 AM

heading to new york in september for my mom's 50h with a group of girls...so excited! can't wait to grab some shots...beautiful work as always

natasha says: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 07:45 AM

heading to new york in september for my mom's 50h with a group of girls...so excited! can't wait to grab some shots...beautiful work as always

Melissa Blue says: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 05:55 AM

Were all those shoes for sale? How weird! Great job as always!

Patrick says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 08:26 PM

Man, now I wanna go to NY! Nick Onken is awesome. Just got his new book in the mail this afternoon! How was the book release party?

kelsee Reeves says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 06:15 PM

going to nyc in may!!

MANDIIMAE says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 04:13 PM

the way you see the world is just beautiful.

Melina Wallisch says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 12:48 PM

where dreams are made...i love new york, such inspiring photos

Kayla says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 12:15 PM

I just posted some of our New York photos too. It's such a cool place, although we were there during a blizzard! Looks like the weather was a lot nicer for you! :-)

Josh Thomson says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 11:20 AM

Such great images here, Sarah! Thanks for sharing and i'm looking forward to checking out Nick Onken's book soon. It looks pretty sweet.

anda says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 10:50 AM

i know what you mean about nyc. all my college friends live there, pretty much (they were all art majors, so makes a lot of sense!). i love visiting.

HannahTaylor says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 10:33 AM

What haven't you heard already about your work? :) New York would be so much fun!

Rick Wenner says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 10:07 AM

Very cool images here Sarah. Glad you guys had a great trip here and you definitely lucked out with the weather for sure. Love that first shot!

Marc Javier says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 09:59 AM

Sarah!! Great, great photographs - inspiring and motivational as usual! I'm always astounded by the soul in your work. As well, I look forward to seeing what you'll post next. Wish we could've chatted more at WPPI - maybe next year ;)

Thursday, March 11, 2010, 07:40 PM
WPPI was a whirlwind! We had so much fun connecting with new and old friends and being totally inspired and encouraged! Vegas is not a place that we ever get much sleep, so I am happy to be home in my own cozy little bed where hopefully I can get more sleep than I did there. Some highlights of the trip were meeting many of our blog readers and seeing friends we don't get to see often enough:) Thank you to each of you for your continued support and encouragement! It is so nice to put some faces to some names. 

We had the pleasure of speaking at our photo lab, ProDPI's booth on Monday. We were honored that they asked us to be a part. We spoke on the importance of finding your authentic voice and building a brand experience around that. For me, public speaking is up there with root canals and going to the dentist :) so I was nervous as the dickens, but I felt so thankful to those of you who came to support, encourage and be there with us stuffed in that wonderful little booth! A big thanks to Jill Carmel for sending along one of these images from her point and shoot :) and the other two are twit pics that were taken at the event. So if they are yours, Thank you!

We had some award winning albums in the running this year for the Album competition and I'll share more of that later, but I also want to give a huge shout out to Renaissance for featuring some of our albums at their booth this year. We got such a positive response.... Renaissance makes us look good ;) end. of. story. 

Thanks also for those of you who came out to the Airhorns and Lasers Party! It was such a stinkin blast! I cannot wait to see the Smilebooth photos and the video the team over at Stillmotion put together.... stay tuned on the Airhorns blog for more of that shortly! 

*Again, please forgive the lack of quality in these images they are from iphones or point and shoot cameras ;)


Thoughts
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candace m says: Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 06:09 PM

look ma, i'm on a blog! a friend just told me she spotted my blue hair in there somewhere, so i thought i'd hop over and check it out ;)

it was nice to meet you, your talk was refreshing. i've been on a similar inspiration search for my website...can't wait to put it up this spring!!!

Blair Van Bussel - Blair Nicole Photography { @BlairVB } says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 11:20 AM

Hey there! So I was a fan before – but you became a major inspiration in Vegas! Watching you speak at the Prodpi booth, seeing your albums at the Renaissance booth , and meeting ya were awesome experiences. I am pretty sure I am a Renaissance convert now ;) You guys are awesome, and real, and I just

anda says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 08:23 AM

oh man -- totally wanted to meet you guys at wppi. i was dancing next to you for a while at the (very packed) airhorns and lasers party, but you were completely in a zone, haha (in a good way, dancing so hard). loved checking out your renaissance albums though!

CK says: Monday, March 15, 2010, 03:04 PM

Hey Sarah and Chris, it was so nice meeting you guys at WPPI. Love your site redesign and whole new branding. Let me know the next time you're in the bay area. Would love to take you guys out for a meal.

Christan Parreira says: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 01:56 PM

It was great meeting and hearing you speak in Vegas. Thanks for sharing your heart and passions and getting me to think about my business from a different perspective.
Hope to see you two when in San Luis Obispo for Cameron Ingalls workshop!

Haley Garrett says: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 02:40 PM

Hey Sara & Chris! You two did an amazing job speaking at this booth! I am so glad that I was there to hear you both speak!!! I feel so honored to have met you guys! I'm the Oklahoma girl that was hanging out with Randy Coleman, we should hang out sometime if you are ever in Oklahoma! Sara, you are truly beautiful inside and out! I am already gathering up stuff that I love in a folder! haha =) God Bless you both!!!

mauriceramirez says: Friday, March 12, 2010, 02:51 PM

Great meeting you two finally. It was hella fun bouncing off your energy at Jonathan's class. Love how your card won too, in there... =)

Lesley says: Friday, March 12, 2010, 11:26 AM

Looks like you had an awesome turn out and an awesome time! :)

jamie delaine says: Friday, March 12, 2010, 09:20 AM

Too wonderful. Wish I had heard you talk! Its so hard to fit everything in at WPPI hey? :)

Katie Neal Photo says: Friday, March 12, 2010, 08:08 AM

It was great meeting you sarah! One of my fave quotes of the whole time in vegas was by you "knock on Jesus". :) You two are so refreshing. If you do a workshop, I'm sooo in! :)

Jacob Lacey says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 11:03 PM

Soo awesome! you guys ruled. glad to have met you(Sarah), looking forward to hopefully meeting up with you guys when you are in SLO for Cameron's workshop. btw, i am in the first photo, red/black plaid shirt. Thank you both for the inspiring words.

yan palmer says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 10:47 PM

little did i know attending wppi would earn me a place on your blog. lol! i am the right most person in that first pic -- also had the amazing honor of talking with you a bit at jonathan canlas's presentation ( we were the other winner to the workshop, high five! ). what i really wanted to do was put my arms around you guys and say "good job. thank you for being sooo good at what you do, with your work as well as your ability to inspire others." yeah, can you say, freak a person out? =) i refrained. but you and chris are awesome.

Becka @Studio222 Photography says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 09:17 PM

Wish we could have had more time to meet up. Maybe next time. :)

Jill says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 09:01 PM

Hey, glad you could use the picture! Your talk was awesome.

Ronnie says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 08:27 PM

Great to see you, even if it was only for a few seconds!! NIce meeting you Chris!

Jonathan Encarnacion says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 08:22 PM

Hey guys! It was nice meeting you two! Wish I coul have been there to hear you speak! Tell Chris to practice on his paper planes because it's on next year!

Lydia says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 08:10 PM

It was so fun meeting you in person! I loved looking through your albums at Renaissance. Hopefully all the "Lydias" you ever meet will be nice!

michele says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 08:08 PM

So great to finally meet you--thanks for the inspiration. And it looks like my head and your shoulder are one in that first frame. I think that means we should get together sometime...

Nicole Wolf says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 08:01 PM

So awesome to see you! I need to come visit soon, I miss you already! xoxox

Feuza says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 07:53 PM

so great meeting you, loved your blue dress and blue pumps, did not realize you were speaking, missed that, I am sure you did great!