Friday, December 25, 2009, 07:45 AM
Chris and I wished for a white christmas this year and it looks like our wish has come true :)... I woke up this morning to white, beautiful, glistening, amazing snow in Oklahoma! Now if only we could get from Tulsa (where Chris's family is) to Stillwater to see my family for Christmas... we got about a foot of snow here! 

We just wanted to take a moment to wish all of our friends, family, clients, neighbors & amazingly faithful and encouraging blog readers a rich Christmas. Rich in experience, Rich in the warmth of loved ones, Rich in vision and inspiration, Rich in focus for the New Year that awaits us. You make up our support network. We are so thankful for the people who have gathered around us this year... nothing great has happened in our lives without the incredible people pushing us to be better. We feel so very grateful.  This year, I do not desire gifts or material items- give me rich experience. Merry Christmas to you all and cuddle up close to the ones you love!




Thoughts
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kristen says: Saturday, December 26, 2009, 06:16 PM

What a DARLING dress! Love the photos.

Jane Hasty says: Saturday, December 26, 2009, 01:37 PM

MerryChristmas!!!!

Becka @Studio222 Photography says: Saturday, December 26, 2009, 10:48 AM

I have and adore that dress. :)

Kelly Summers says: Saturday, December 26, 2009, 01:57 AM

and a Merry Christmas to your family. I pray that you are wrapped in Joy and comfort as you spread the holidays with your families.

wrecklessgirl says: Friday, December 25, 2009, 03:35 PM

happy holidays, friends!

Romin says: Friday, December 25, 2009, 03:05 PM

Merry Christmas, guys! Good luck getting through the snow and be safe =)

sean mclean says: Friday, December 25, 2009, 02:49 PM

good luck getting to stillville
merry christmas

Bianca Valentim says: Friday, December 25, 2009, 01:15 PM

Merry Christmas to you guys!
:)

melissa oholendt says: Friday, December 25, 2009, 12:58 PM

love. Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 11, 2009, 08:45 AM
There are two very magical times of day here in Thailand. Morning around 7 am when people are just beginning to wake up...the streets are still, there are only what seems like a "few" motorbikes buzzing along the streets. The anticipation of the day is building; the sun is beginning to peak it's golden head through the streets... it is the calm before the storm. The moment before the bud decides to blossom. The moment of peace before the war. Many people here are fighting to feed their families. Fighting to make a better life for themselves. These morning moments of stillness are more beautiful here somehow. Perhaps it is because moments without fight are more fleeting here. Making the truly restful moments that much more precious.

The other magical time of day here is around 5:00 pm when people are getting off work and the markets are bustling, children running around  just released from school as if they had been set free from jail, running about buying candy for 5Baht. The street vendors are frantically preparing and ready for their next big rush. The sun is radiant, golden, kissing the faces and shoulders of the people on the streets, hugging them almost. These are my favorite times to photograph in Thailand. These are the times when you feel it's heartbeat...these are the magical times you get lost in it.

Chris and I spent the day on foot walking around exploring the amazing city of Chaing Mai. This image was taken around 5 pm and it is a perfect indiction of what 5 pm in Thailand means to me. A street vendor preparing for the rush... children were running all around me as I grabbed this shot, I think I even got popsicle dropped on my foot in the process :). The light was hugging us all, and with my boo at my side, my camera in my hand and feeling the beautiful energy all around me... I was lost in it. 

Thoughts
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Kelly Summers says: Sunday, December 20, 2009, 01:14 AM

You pictures are amazing, your candid work is inspirational.

Cathy says: Monday, December 14, 2009, 02:32 PM

Amazing shot, and an amazing opportunity to visit Thailand. Hoping to get there someday myself.

sarahrhoads says: Monday, December 14, 2009, 10:37 AM

@Martin I will do a full post on your question in the coming weeks because I have been getting some e mails etc. about street photography and the approach etc. I am no expert but the approach can vary from place to place. I was fortunate to be in Thailand where most the people were very comfortable getting their photo taken and welcomed the opportunity. I realize that is not always the case. More to follow. Great questions though Martin!

Alexandra says: Sunday, December 13, 2009, 03:12 PM

Wow. Incredible shot. Glad to hear you're enjoying your time there :)

Martin says: Sunday, December 13, 2009, 12:21 PM

Hey Sarah, maybe you could give me some good advice: When looking to your street-pictures, i wonder how you manage to capture a situation without "destroying " it when taking your camera out? I often wonder whether you never have any negative reactions, especially when being abroad? I spent some time in Kinshasa (DRC) and found it extremely hard to get some shots unrecognized...
It was either such a sensational thing that everybody wanted to be on the picture or people refused, saying "You gonna make money with our misery!"
But maybe that's an African phenomenon, where people are not that used to being photographed.
Still, it's a breath-taking place to take pictures :)
(s. URL)
Best regards from Rennes (France),
Martin

Brenda Landrum says: Saturday, December 12, 2009, 03:37 PM

Sarah, I just love this image. I found myself digging into the details for way longer then I probably should of. It is full of depth! Can not wait to see more...

Fiona andersen says: Saturday, December 12, 2009, 03:01 PM

Like a good cup of smooth coffee I look forward to reading your blog. Your shots give me an inner peace and having spent some time in Thailand I feel like I am there along side smelling the smells and hearing the sounds.

Just fabulous

Curtis Moore says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 10:36 AM

Awesome!

Julie Branyan says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 10:23 AM

Reading your blogs and viewing your photos on Thailand make me want to pack up my bags and get on a plane today. Your stories are beautiful (photos to!). I just feel I'm seeing it all happen in front of me. I think travel writing might be another one of your awesome talents.

Gabe says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 10:16 AM

this image makes me long to go back. i can feel that warm Thai sun through my screen. hope you two are enjoying your time in paradise. be well.

Laura Ivanova says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 09:54 AM

Sarah, your images from Thailand are so compelling and you obviously have a knack for digging in to the true spirit of a place through it's people. Your images are really making me reminisce about my trip to Thailand exactly one year ago. It's such an amazing country and it really touches your heart and stays with you long after you leave...really like no other. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Julie h says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 09:17 AM

your words are just as beautiful as the photograph. Reading the story, I felt as though I was right there, my skin was warming from that sun glow.

Briony says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 09:07 AM

gorgeous. i love the subtle flare.

Katie Neal Photo says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 09:05 AM

LOVE IT! This image rocks!

Chad Hansen says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 08:55 AM

These images have been absolutely incredible. Everything from Tailand has been so full of feeling and meaning. Isn't that how all photography should be? You two are the coolest.

Thursday, December 10, 2009, 02:15 AM
Everyone here in Thailand rides motorbikes. It's pretty amazing how many people they manage to fit on these little bikes. Chris and I can hardly fit the two of us on our Vespa at home and we're relatively small people. We've seen everything from dogs, pet birds, little babies and entire families with their eggs and street "station" goods on the motorbikes. We asked one of the locals how many people is the most he has seen ride on one motorbike and she said six people on a standard bike and 10 people on one that had a side car!! Chris and I looked at each other and just had to bust out laughing at the shocking numbers :). The girls who are passengers hang their feet off to one side and barley hold onto the driver, they may check their make-up or talk on a cell phone during the ride. There is no fear, even though the driving style is by all American standards nothing shy of totally chaotic. You can tell it is just second nature to them... It is a way of life.

I caught this little boy and his family on their way home together at the end of the Thai work/school day. Chris and I were crossing the street at a light and his eyes met mine and I grabbed the shot. I think the little guy must have thought it was something pretty special to get his photo taken because after I captured the image the boy was grinning from ear to ear and turned around to tell his dad. As the light changed to green the whole family gave me a big smile and a wave as they drove off. It is another one of my favorite Thailand captures so far. Seeing the image takes me back to that very moment on the street and makes me smile.

Thoughts
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Jen MacNiven says: Friday, December 11, 2009, 09:01 AM

Isn't Thailand the best! I was there in Jan/Feb of this year, also hitting Vietnam and Cambodia. Amazing culture, sites, sounds, food...and yes, the people on the bikes are UNBELIEVABLE. I was obsessed with taking pictures of the mass numbers of people on scooters.
So happy for you and Chris to be experiencing such an amazing place! LOVE your outlook, photos and hearing about your experiences. The color of your photos add such a unique and special vibe!
Hope you continue to have safe travels.
Happy Holidays too!
Jen

Marissa Rodriguez says: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 02:49 PM

Such a beautiful photo! I love that the little boy felt so special because you took his photo!

Jane Hasty says: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 10:31 AM

How fun!

Tara says: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 09:34 AM

So many emotions as I go through your Thailand pics over and over again. Lovely moment.

gladys jem says: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 09:32 AM

oh my gosh. reading the story, and seeing the photo makes me smile. i love it. thanks for sharing :)

Ariel Renae says: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 06:24 AM

Amazing!!! Both the photo and the story.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 07:25 AM
This was a photo taken about ten or so days ago in Bangkok. We're pretty behind on getting to all of the images that we have captured... I suppose we are having too much fun to edit :) and are having a hard time getting to working internet to blog. I presume I'll do most of the image processing when I get home so I can really "be" here in the moment as much as possible, but still wanted to keep our blog readers in the loop and more importantly, let our parents know we are still alive. :) Since Bangkok, we have been to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi Don and we just arrived in Krabi today. Krabi is like a dream. It is like paradise here. Each place has been unique, beautiful and captivating in its own right. I am trying to soak every last bit of it in...trying to take the memories captive and hide them away somewhere safe. They are precious. It is a place that teaches humility and reminds me that the "first will be last." That seems to be the motto of the Thai people. 

Just thought I would share this capture. For some reason as I was going through the set this one grabbed my attention. The irony of the shot is what makes it beautiful to me. The hard with the soft. The soldiers which embody what we know to be militant next to that which stands for peace. To me this shot is special :) I have learned a lot about "waiting for the shot" on this trip. This was one of those moments when I watched, waited and snapped. Somehow the stars aligned for me and no one walked in front of the shot other than the person who I wanted to (the monk). Happy Tuesday to you all. It is late Tuesday night here and it has been a RICH day full of lots of boat rides and adventure, so I'm getting ready to go to bed to conquer tomorrow.

Thoughts
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Anthony Lazzari says: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 08:13 PM

This shot reminds me of David duChemin's book, "Within the Frame." It is my favorite of all the pictures you have here!

I'll keep coming back to see more inspiring photos!!

imthiaz houseman says: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 11:47 AM

wow, i'm speechless. i love this image.

Melissa Blue says: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 06:19 AM

I love the colors of this country! Great compositions guys!

wrecklessgirl says: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 05:42 AM

i'm so excited you were able to go there! i'm also bummed i couldn't meet you there and adventure around together! this image is insanely beautiful and provoking. "bellissima" as the woman downstairs just yelled across the room.

sean says: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 05:09 PM

i love both the physical and emotional balance of this image.

mom says: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 04:55 PM

yeah....thanks for remembering the parents....they were beginning to grow a bit worried since we hadn't heard from you in a few days....so thanks for the post! Glad you are having fun.
Mom

Jenny GG says: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 01:18 PM

the contrast of color here is really beautiful.

Gail says: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 08:29 AM

I love it. So much is said with this one image where no words are needed. (I also really love the color of his robe with the blue of that window - great contrast!)

Lisa Dunham says: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 08:28 AM

Thanks for taking the time to update us, Sarah. So we can live vicariously thru you during your amazing journey. Continued safe travels and star alignment to you and Chris.

Jenice says: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 07:52 AM

Beautiful image. I cannot wait to hear about everything! Come home!

jess@studio3z says: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 07:36 AM

brilliant.

jamie delaine says: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 07:34 AM

Sounds like such an incredible, incredble time.