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Chris & Sarah's Corner
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Friday, May 21, 2010, 07:32 AM
This has been a big week for us. Lot's going on, most of which I will catch you up on in another post. We are currently traveling in Canada which is just lovely. One of the things that happened this week is we purchased an iPad, we thought we would give you guys a little review of our thoughts on the product. We also wanted to let our faithful readers know that we are going to be starting a newsletter for some various projects and some exciting things we have coming up in the near future. If you would like to be on the newsletter list to be the first to find out about some giveaways and other exciting news please send us an e mail at news@sarahrhoads.com. This is not a place to e mail us messages it is simply a place for us to get your contact info, so please keep that in mind when you send an e mail there. We just need your correct e mail address and we'll get you on the list. To me, there is nothing worse in life than spam, so not to fear, we won't be using this to flood your inbox. Just for the occasional update when we have some big news that you might want to be informed of :)

Our review of the ipad: 
This week we got an iPad. When it was first released Chris & I were excited and intrigued. We are huge Apple fans and love that the company is built on the principle of "thinking different."  Although we were initially unsure of how "revolutionary" the iPad may be, we saw the immediate benefit for client meetings and presentations.  However, after just a few hours of ownership our mindset changed from "cool product" to "WOW!"  The iPad seems to be the type of gadget that takes a little while to really grasp all of its capabilities.  To the outsider looking in, it may seem to be nothing more than an oversized iPod touch, or iPhone, but after spending a few hours with it, it is obvious that this is a device that will truly will change the way that we consume media and interact with technology.  The biggest thing to recognize is that the iPad is not catered for the 'creation' of content, but rather the 'consumption' of content. This is an experience powerhouse. Ever since we purchased the iPad just a few days ago, we find ourselves reading multiple newspapers, checking our investments, listening to fantastic news story's on NPR and interacting with the internet in a way that seems much more personal.  To us it seems that being able to touch and interact with articles seems to create a more unique and interesting internet experience, it is more like reading a real newspaper vs going to the new york times online.  

For those who say it is not revolutionary, I say they havn't truly given it a chance. Not to mention we took the iPad to meet with one of our editorial clients to showcase some images for them. They were totally blown away by the user experience. For photographers, this is a game changer at meetings etc. So if we had to give the iPad a rating on a five star scale we would rate it a solid 4.5.  The only reason why we're docking .5 points is due to the fact that Apple and Adobe are not currently playing nice in the sandbox.  Although HTML5 and CSS3 may bypass flash in the future; for now we are left without.  Otherwise it's a killer product worth saving some cash for.


Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (9)
Rosaura says: Friday, May 28, 2010, 02:35 PM

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my iPad. At my first client meeting with it, the groom could not put it down, he looked at tons of pictures in the order he wanted and the way he wanted to. I knew right then it would be a game-changer for me. I keep up with my finances much more now too. LOVE IT! :)
sarahrhoads says: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 07:37 AM

for those that asked, we have the 64gig 3G
geneoh says: Monday, May 24, 2010, 09:24 AM

which one did you get?
Lydia says: Friday, May 21, 2010, 07:56 PM

Aaahh, I'd really been trying not to read too much about the iPad because I knew I'd want one...too late, it has been added to my list!
iPad Ready Sites - Jason says: Friday, May 21, 2010, 11:17 AM

It is pretty amazing right? As a photographer and web designer - the iPad is absolutely thrilling to work with!
anda says: Friday, May 21, 2010, 09:45 AM

i'll admit i was an ipad cynic, but i saw so many photographers in CA recently using them -- that now i know i'll get one soon. i love your sarah/chris corner posts. do more of them :)
julie says: Friday, May 21, 2010, 07:56 AM

I have an ipad and totally agree that it is designed for the consumption of content in a unique and personal way. We have young children and everyone in our family is enjoying it!!
taryn kent says: Friday, May 21, 2010, 07:47 AM

what a good review! i've been wondering if it was worth looking into or not! love the idea of using for your clients.
thanks!

Lara says: Friday, May 21, 2010, 07:37 AM

Congrats on all of your upcoming travels! Swing by Chapel Hill somewhere in your world tour this summer! : )
281
Set Unrealistic Goals
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Thursday, May 6, 2010, 08:23 AM
I'm a huge fan of having unusually large goals that seem completely unrealistic. Most people give themselves too much time to complete a project or too much leeway when setting goals... most people underestimate themselves and their ultimate potential. 

What we should be doing is setting unrealistic goals, these are goals that force us to be uncomfortable, these are the goals that kill comfort. By setting unrealistic goals we are forced to overestimate our potential and strive to make the impossible, possible. These kind of goals provide an adrenaline infusion that give us the tenacity to overcome the bumps that we encounter along the way. I have yet to meet a successful person who simply set "realistic" goals. Realistic is a synonym for mediocre. I guess if I wanted to be like everyone else I would set "realistic" goals. But who wants to be like everyone else? Mediocrity is the villain in our plight as artists. We must do everything in our power to be intentional about warding him off. Having unrealistic goals forces us to be intentional about achieving them. The important actions we need to take are never the comfortable or easy ones. Rarely do people set out to achieve BIG, AUDACIOUS, seemingly impossible goals because most of us are scared of failure. The sad truth is that most people don't have the guts to pick up a pen and write down the audacious dream much less set out to achieve it. Simply put, there is just less competition for bigger goals.

So do yourself a favor, close your eyes for a minute and think about what you want your life to look like in five and ten years from now. Dream Big. Think Big. Do Big. Set the bar beyond what is seemingly possible, you might just surprise yourself.

Thoughts
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Aurora says: Saturday, May 29, 2010, 10:40 AM

THIS IS FANTASTIC!!! I have this disease that causes me to do this all the time but I'm constantly amazed by what can be don't accept the idea that anything is impossible!
Christine Elizabeth says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:59 AM

Definitely a welcome kick in the ass! I saw your tweet about this on the day you posted it - my BIRTHDAY ;) And I knew that I would need to read a post about unrealistic goals, but somehow didn't come back here till now. I sat next to you at MTH2010 in Vegas, and I've been starting to make things happen, but I LOVE this post and I'll accept it as the kick it is to make BIGGER things happen!

Christine Elizabeth says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:58 AM

Definitely a welcome kick in the ass! I saw your tweet about this on the day you posted it - my BIRTHDAY ;) And I knew that I would need to read a post about unrealistic goals, but somehow didn't come back here till now. I sat next to you at MTH2010 in Vegas, and I've been starting to make things happen, but I LOVE this post and I'll accept it as the kick it is to make BIGGER things happen!

Kaysha says: Sunday, May 9, 2010, 10:10 PM

Brilliant! I love these kinds of posts, its always a welcome kick in the ass! ;)
sandy says: Sunday, May 9, 2010, 08:26 AM

Great inspiring post! Thanks for sharing. I completely agree. Love the image too.
Shan Reee says: Saturday, May 8, 2010, 01:30 PM

That was exactly what I needed to hear today! Thanks for sharing! And, what a fun image!
Alexandra says: Saturday, May 8, 2010, 12:02 PM

i always love your inspirational words. thank you.

heather says: Friday, May 7, 2010, 10:46 PM

you should read this, if you haven't already... http://veryawesomeworld.com/

it's our favorite book.

thanks for the inspiration photographically and verbally, and especially for the dance moves (via airhorns and lasers, we shook rumps in the same room).
Kisha of Sahara BLue says: Friday, May 7, 2010, 01:08 PM

so so so true and i could not agree more! looking forward to seeing more images from this shoot - the couple is totally adorable and it looks like it was a fun shoot!
Harmony Loves says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 07:47 PM

Very inspirational! I love that you walk the talk. :)
kate says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 06:20 PM

you're smart cookies!!

rags says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 02:36 PM

Very inspiring.

Patrick says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 01:09 PM

[sigh...] So true... [takes a deep breath...]
anjuli paschall says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:41 AM

i LOVE that everyday I can look forward to reading your blog and seeing something beautiful. i've challenged myself to blog everyday and so far so good. I never thought i could do that. and it is kind of scary to push myself beyond what i think is possible. but when i reach my 'impossible' goals, it is so rewarding! thanks!
John Harder says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:40 AM

Love this post. Love that photo!
carmen aka FRESH says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:34 AM

thanks for offending me - for real - think i needed that kick in the rear. nobody better to take it from than sr!
Ahmed Eid says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:30 AM

Thanks for the inspiration

I really admire your work

Jen Goulet says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:27 AM

Thank you for inspiring me everyday Sarah!!
david says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:12 AM

Boom... You nailed! Great post as usual.
Carrie says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:04 AM

WORD.
Carrie says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:02 AM

WORD.
Anonymous says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 09:01 AM

absolutely! Agree with every part of it.
Laura says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 08:58 AM

Thanks for this post. I am constantly daydreaming and thinking of new goals. Love reading your blog, I always find your words inspirational.
Isabelle Paille says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 08:44 AM

Looove this. Could not agree more!
278
Oklahoma Recap
Monday, May 3, 2010, 08:13 AM
This weekend I was back in Oklahoma for one of my very best friends, Sarah's, wedding. This time I got to be on the OTHER side of things as a bridesmaid. It was a weekend full of celebration and rich with love. One of my other best girlfriends, Jen, was also in town from Chicago as a bridesmaid (The first photo is me, Sarah & Jen). Having the three of us girls in one place was just what the doctor ordered. I'm so thankful for these sisters. You know those people that just "get you"? They are the friends that know I am the messiest eater ever and still think it's cute when I have ice cream sundae dribbles on the front of my shirt. These girls put up with me smelling like a giant coffee bean for a solid four years of my life due to my extensive hours behind the barista bar and my lack luster for the common courtesy of a shower.... don't hate, it was a dark time ;) lol.

But more importantly, these girls are some of my best friends because they have been with me through it all, through meeting Chris freshman year of college to the current up's and down's of life's beautiful triumphs and struggles. They are the people that choose to see the good in me and love me even when it's ugly. I'm thankful to have friends like that in my life. They say that you are the sum of the five most important people in your life.... if that's true, I'm honored by the people that God continues to surround me with. 

These are a variety of frames taken through the course of the last three days while at home in Oklahoma. There was a moment before Sarah's wedding that she was given a book of letters from all of us who love her. There was one letter in particular that was moving and special... it was a letter from Sarah's dad... In this moment it was so absolutely apparent that Sarah felt truly loved. Tears were the overflow of that love. Those moments of pure and total knowledge that we are loved unconditionally are rare and brilliant gems in this world. It is a moment I know she will cherish forever and so will I. 

p.s.- I shared an elevator with the Laker who scored the last point in the Thunder vs. Lakers game....I'm so sports savvy I don't even know his name but I think I should have taken him out when I had the chance ;)
p.p.s.- Little do most people know but Oklahoma has the best sunset's I have ever experienced in my life.



Thoughts
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kate says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 06:23 PM

that car photo is so great!!! i might paint a picture of it.

Jenny Bean:) says: Monday, May 3, 2010, 04:42 PM

we love you guys so much and I agree that being together was just what the doctor ordered!!
Becka @Studio222 says: Monday, May 3, 2010, 03:37 PM

I've never been there but I imaging the skies being amazing! Glad you're having a great time on the other side of weddings. :)
Amanda H says: Monday, May 3, 2010, 03:07 PM

LOVE LOVE when you're in Okiehoma. Great to see your cute face. Ice cream is on the agenda when I come out there soon. :)
Renee says: Monday, May 3, 2010, 10:07 AM

I LOVE that your dress has a pocket. It's so cute too! Great photos as always Sarah!
Micah Emily says: Monday, May 3, 2010, 09:31 AM

These pictures are super sweet! You caught a really precious moment with her reading those letters! I love it! I'll be living in Stillwater this summer so if you guys ever make a summer trip to Oklahoma maybe I could take you all out on a photoshoot :)

brittany strebeck says: Monday, May 3, 2010, 08:23 AM

I'm so sad I couldn't be at this wedding!! So glad to hear it was a good time.

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Wabi-Sabi
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Thursday, April 22, 2010, 12:42 PM
Life has been a whirlwind lately. It's hard to believe that Chris turned a quarter of a century yesterday... that makes him sound almost archaic doesn't it? ;). We've had a lot of fun exploring the dessert here in Palm Springs, dreaming together and talking about life's beautiful moments of clarity and peace, and also talking about the not-so-beautiful moments that may seem less than perfect to most but to me they are just as beautiful.

I've personally been thinking a lot about the beauty in imperfections. There is a japanese principle called wabi-sabi which values character and uniqueness over a shiny facade. It encourages embracing the scratches and dust and finding beauty in the real and authentic. I've been thinking about my personal work and the "poetry" that resides within it. Leonard Koren, the author of a book on wabi-sabi gives this advice, "pare down to the essence, but don't remove the poetry. Keep things clean and unencumbered but don't sterilize." I love that and it really spoke to me. There is a poetry in what each of us create as artists.... for me it is important for me to remember to leave the poetry there.... when something becomes too symmetrical, too polished, too perfect, it looses it's soul... it loses the poetry. 

My work is filled with imperfection. Filled with technically "incorrect" compositions. Filled with photos that never make the cut. Filled with dust and scratches.... but at this point in my journey I am learning that there is a real beauty in those seeming imperfect moments. I'm learning that there is a perfect poetry to the imperfection and it is important to leave room for the poetry.

Off to a shoot where I'm going to try something I have never done before.... excited about this one, we'll see how it goes... I'm going to do my best to remember wabi-sabi :)



Thoughts
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mike larson says: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 04:10 AM

WOW, crazy, the Robert Geller Sunglasses, I love that you guys have those, I shot his wedding in Brazil 2 years ago. HE is a really cool guy. Rock on.
Brooke says: Monday, April 26, 2010, 06:19 AM

your hair is amazing! (oh, + i dig your pictures too!)
Lara Beck says: Sunday, April 25, 2010, 08:00 PM

*Sigh* Love it!!
If you look closely at a tree you'll notice it's knots and dead branches, just like our bodies. What we learn is that beauty and imperfection go together wonderfully.
"Matthew Fox"
Great last shot Sarah!! My Favourite :-)
arenda says: Friday, April 23, 2010, 03:35 PM

lol, great last photo - perfect depth of field + great emotion! :)
Katie says: Friday, April 23, 2010, 02:42 PM

What a great concept. As photographers we tell stories, and stories are real, and real life is full of imperfections, with the occasional moment of pure, remarkable perfection in amongst it. Thanks for sharing. :)

Jenny GG says: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 10:05 PM

awesome read lady. i tried a few things i hadn't done before this past weekend at a wedding and i must say it was tough. i thought 'only 998 more times to go'.

HannahTaylor says: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 04:54 PM

Yes, I have really had to learn the wabi-sabi concept the hard way. Life is so much more enjoyable. :)
James Moes says: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 02:49 PM

I'm a big fan of the concept of wabi-sabi.
Sasha says: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 12:59 PM

Last photo is awesome! :)
Vizcara says: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 12:53 PM

Ahhh..... You will do well "Grasshopper" (I knew that is chinese not japanese) But you will do well due to your desire to embrace the Japanese culture and beliefs.. I have always embrased their culture and beliefs since I was a kid. I grew up with many japanese and really love them as a people. My stepson grandfather is Japanese. I respect him a lot and we are very close. The lessons you can learn from them and the Wabi-Sabi thoughts are in measurable.. Also the "Yin & Yang" Its nice to see others are embracing it as well or recognize its value.. Love the crazy hair shot was that 220? or 110? plug in? LoL. Either that or you need to put a bounce sheet in your dryer every now and then.... LoL.

Harmony Loves says: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 12:51 PM

I love this! I love you (not in a weird psycho-stalker way)! You know how to say exactly what I am thinking or want to say. I know I am imperfect, my images are imperfect... but it is me and they are me.
Here's to wabi-sabi!
Kristine Neeley says: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 12:48 PM

Brilliant. Thanks for sharing this.