Sarah Rhoads Photographers | Sarah & Chris Rhoads, A Husband and Wife Seattle Photography Team.

102

Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 09:26 AM

Jill DeVries came up to Seattle a few weeks ago and we had a killer time at her photographer consult. I'm pretty sure Jill & I have a TON in common so I feel like we could have chatted for hours. Jill booked Chris & I for a 4 hour mentor session while she was in town and we had a blast running around with her and answering a lot of her questions. One of the things Jill had us do was review her portfolio, critique her web site and images. I cannot stress how healthy this is to do. It is hard, and oftentimes very sobering to do something like this, it takes some guts. It is something that I try to do often with my own personal work with photographers I respect and admire.

The biggest thing that we tried to leave Jill with is to shoot what you are passionate about and SHOW on your web site what you want to shoot. You get what you advertise for. Oftentimes people want to sell to the world out of fear. If you sell to everyone you will inevitably gain no one, or you will be shooting things that don't make you come to life.

We are photographers because something about the craft and artistry helps us breathe deeper and spread our wings wider. When we are taking on assignments that are in our sweet spot, the world is all as it should be :). If we just end up taking on assignments that don't allow us to be stimulated & creative as artists it ends up stealing the wind out of our sails. I feel very passionately about that. That is why Chris are selective about the couples that we work with and the projects that we take on. It is important to shoot and show the type of style that makes you come to life. That life resonates through a photograph and people can see it clear as day. Shoot and Show your passion. ;)

Have a lovely Tuesday everyone, I'd love to leave you with this little video from one of my fav. musical gals, Lykke Li, "Breaking It Up," I get her, she gets me... she makes me want to break through doors. In the best way possible.

So nowhead on over to Jill's Blog and leave her some love ;)

oh and doesn't jill have the most gorgeous eyes ever!? holy smokes.

Thoughts

Add a Comment View Comments (8)

Michelle Weathers says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 08:57 PM

Thanks for the words of inspiration! I am in the process of starting to market my business, and am having trouble knowing what to do to market myself.

Michelle

imthiaz houseman says: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 05:17 PM

very, very well said. the best part i love about you and chris featuring your mentor series is the fact you shoot the photographer and you capture their personality so well...

Jason says: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 05:20 AM

Very well said Sarah. These are the little tidbits photographers NEVER hear. It's always about the latest camera, most popular lenses, or a set of new actions that will "change your life!" It's posts like these that that change lives and empower people. With you Misses Sarah Rhoads, I concur wholeheartedly. One of the most important things we can to to stay inspired is to be true to ourselves. No more, no less.

Julie h says: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 12:27 AM

found out that we both went to the same small private college in Grand Rapids and have 51 mutual friends on facebook! Thanks for allowing me to get in contact with her. ;)

mary says: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 04:04 PM

I was in a crap mood until I read this... thanks Sarah! Super pumped to meet you!!

Kara Wieler says: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 02:29 PM

Great images, and even better advice! Thank-you for telling me what I needed to hear. Always trying to do everything, and thinking that not wanting to do one kind of photography will mean I am not as passionate about photography in general is holding me back from really loving what I do. Does that make sense? Anyway... thank you!

Briony says: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 02:15 PM

love the bw laundromat one!

michelle sidles says: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 01:59 PM

That was probably the best advice I've heard all week (maybe month)! Thanks for that little golden nugget! :)

094

Rachel Gundersen

Mentor Session

Thursday, June 4, 2009, 08:15 AM

We had a jam packed trip while we were in Chicago a couple weeks ago! While we were in Naperville, we met with photographer, Rachel Gundersen for a four hour mentor/consulting session with us! Rachel came with lots of questions in regards to packaging, workflow, lighting, posing, developing artistic style and branding and we covered a LOT of ground in 4 hours!

There is something so great about imparting the wisdom, knowledge and insight we have obtained over the years into other photographers. Chris and I always walk away from our photographer consults feeling on top of the world. We love teaching and sharing... it's like we have found an exciting new passion and it has been a lot of fun to do these!

Rachel is a rock star and is in the process of getting her web site up to show off to the world. Look out for her in the coming months. She is about to rock Chicago hard with all of her awesomeness ;)

Thoughts

Add a Comment View Comments (13)

hannah says: Sunday, August 2, 2009, 07:21 PM

i live in naperville and am so bummed i didnt know you were going to be in the area! i would LOVE to do a mentor session with you guys sometime, i really adore all that you do! I hope to be able to have half the talent you guys do! let me know if youre ever back in chicago soon!

Lyndzee of EP says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 11:42 PM

On a serious note............you ROCK!!

Lyndzee of EP says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 11:41 PM

Will you take pictures of my teeth?? While I'm smiling?? I'm lovin that wall, your talent and her eyes. Can you believe that we get to room together in just a couple of weeks? Will you take pictures of me while I sleep? While I brush my teeth? I want to document my vacation. LOL,,,, creepy,,, totally kidding.........or AM I??

Rachel Gundersen says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 02:25 PM

What can I say? These pictures are awesome! I had such a great time with you and Chris - thank you! Continue sharing the way you find beauty with the world, it's incredible to view and spectacular to watch you in action. Peace, blessings, cheers and hugs to you both!!

KeyonnaRenea says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 01:56 PM

These are great! Please let me know when you visit LA. I'd love to do a mentor session.

Nathan Walker says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 10:13 AM

i love the last one... it's like you just missed the action, but yet you still nailed the shot :) beautiful!

Briony says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 09:47 AM

these are fab! your colors are always so vibrant :)

amaris says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 09:38 AM

aww. naperville : ) used to live there! funnn. love your posts, sarah...looking forward to mor mor mor this week. yay!!

Calvin says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 09:20 AM

Those eyes are so beautiful. Love the whip of the hair.

Meg says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 09:19 AM

LOVE that last shot- I am picturing it as a huge canvas print above her bed. :)

marten says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 08:58 AM

The colors are fuckin great, but her eyes really kicks ass!

angelique says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 08:57 AM

Good Luck Rachel! You already have a great start by partnering with the Rhoads'!!

Brooke Ashley Photography says: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 08:55 AM

OMG I looooooooooove that wall!!!!!

085

Julie Wilhite

Lifestyle Portraiture| Mentor Session

Monday, May 18, 2009, 01:04 PM

Meet the most beautiful, Julie Wilhite! Chris and I met up with Julie for a consulting session while we were in Houston shooting a couple of weeks ago. Julie booked us for a 4 hour consulting session where we focused a lot on helping Julie build a solid brand, packaging, finding her voice as an artist and all kinds of other fun techy work with flash etc. We had so much fun with Miss Julie!

Here are my favorite things about Julie:

- She is super down to earth

- She knows how to laugh at herself

- LOVES funky shoes and vintage clothing

- She likes good vino and has a heart for people.

- She likes the color orange & totally trusted me with all the weird things I had her do in front of the camera.

Julie recently had my boys Anthony & Michael over at ITDR work with her on her new site that you can check out here:

http://www.juliewilhite.com/

Go leave her some love. She is Amazing! We'll only be taking on a handful of other photographer consults until January so if you are interested be sure to e mail us @ consulting@sarahrhoads.com

Thoughts

Add a Comment View Comments (13)

imthiaz houseman says: Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 07:25 PM

i love the bike shot and her shoes!

Kayla says: Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 08:10 AM

Love these! Love the bike shot!

erika verginelli says: Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 11:03 AM

so sweet and delicate images!

jill says: Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 07:07 AM

these are awesome!! makes me so excited for next monday :)

Sarah Alston says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 11:29 PM

Wow. Pictures turned out great!

Navy Sou says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 07:41 PM

SO creative....I LOVE it!!!!

ames says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 04:21 PM

i want that bike! so hip :)

Melanie Watson says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 03:11 PM

Beautiful... love the bicycle shot and what fun tiles you found! Such a gorgeous girl too. Hooray for a successful day all around. :)

Josh says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 02:32 PM

Sarah,
You make the beautiful even more beautiful. Great job and I hope you enjoyed Houston.

sarahrhoads says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 02:30 PM

Hey Angel! The photographer Consulting we do is meeting with photographers on a two on one basis (my husband and I) and the photographer who wants some guidance with next steps in their photography business/artform etc. if you are interested in learning more please feel free to e mail me

Tim Halberg says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 02:23 PM

LOVE these images! love her style, and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE that bike!!!!!!

Jamie Delaine says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 02:18 PM

Just lovely. Especially that last shot. Love the unique angle.

Angel says: Monday, May 18, 2009, 02:17 PM

Curious as to what the consulting is?

073

Jill Thomas

Lifestyle Portraiture| Mentor Session

Saturday, April 4, 2009, 09:17 PM

Jill contacted me right before I was heading to California about getting together for a one on one mentor session while I was in L.A., mono-e-mono :). Jill is a killah photographer who is in the process of moving to California she has amazing style and great hair. I wish I could pull off her short sassy doo!

During our time together she really wanted to focus on developing her "style" and post processing techniques. We played, giggled, grew & learned. We also took some fun photo's of her to wrap up the mentor session. Jill is so much fun and reminds me of myself in some ways... she is a go getter who is willing to make sacrifices for her gift. She's got a natural charm and a vintage flare. Just my kinda gal. ;)