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.

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 ;)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 10:05 AM
We're hoping on a jet plane in about an hour to catch our flight to the Big Apple. Excited for our shoot while we are there and to support our buddy Nick Onken at his Photo Trekking book release party and hang out with some of our good friends in the area. But more than anything I'm pumped to try all of these wonderful places that so many of your recommended! Thank you! 

We have most of Thursday reserved to explore, eat yummy treats and take photos for ourselves. I have a feeling we picked the right district to stay in, I've been doing a little research of what is right around our hotel in the meat packing district and came across this fantastically designed site: www.meatpacking-district.com -it's totally brilliant. Had to share. Not sure who did the design, but I want to hang out with them and buy them ice cream... because that is what I do when I love you. I buy you ice cream. :) 

I promise to take lots of photos and blog throughout the trip. I really enjoyed all of your thoughts on the last post on Inspiration Frequency. All of it reminds me of one of my all time favorite quotes by photographer extraordinaire, Tim Walker, "I don't believe in originality. You take inspiration from whatever moves you and you find your voice in those things." I give a big fat AMEN to that!


Thoughts
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Chris says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 07:54 AM

I am a HUGE fan of your work and would love to help/assist while you guys are in NY if you'll let me! Hope to hear from you :) btw, I'm in Brooklyn!

LisaK says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 09:19 PM

I love that quote......you always have the best quotes! Have fun in NYC. I'm sure you'll be in super inspiration frequency heaven! ; )

Amanda H says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 01:59 PM

I stood last week where you are staying!! Oh... if the weeks would have collided. Go sit on a relaxing bench at The Highline (park). And... because you LOVE ME, I expect ice cream when you are here in April. :) Have fun!

Kayla says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 01:13 PM

We were just there and it was so fun! Your hotel looks awesome...with great views! We stayed at the Paramount in Times Square and loved it. Can't wait to see photos!

Hannah Taylor says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 01:12 PM

Safe travels!!

Friday, March 5, 2010, 06:09 AM
So the Rhoads are heading to Vegas today for the biggest (and most fun) photography convention of the year, WPPI [Wedding and Portrait Photographers International] in Vegas. This is such a great time to network, hang out with friends, learn, challenge one another and grow. We cannot wait! 

If you read our blog we would love to meet you! Don't be shy, please just come up and say hello and introduce yourself. We love meeting new people!! We met some of our now closest friends in Vegas last year and none of it would have happened if one of us didn't go up and say "hi, we are 'cyber friends' lets be real friends." I attached a photo that our lovely friend Gabe McClintock took of us in Vegas last year at this time. This is us, we're pretty much attached at the hip so wherever you see Chris you will likely see me and visa versa. A few things you might want to know about us and WPPI. We end up at the McDonalds counter to get an egg mcmuffin about every morning we are in Vegas... health is totally thrown to the wayside here. We don't believe in bedtimes when in Vegas.... our mentality is why sleep when you could be developing meaningful relationships?!  At the evening party's you will most likely find me tearing it up on the dance floor... I love to dance. We aren't afraid to laugh at ourselves and have a good time.

We always try to keep our Vegas Schedule pretty open ended so we can have the opportunity to connect with people and just go with the flow but we would love to bump into some of you so I attached our tentative schedule below. We'll be speaking on Tuesday @ the ProDPI booth so come out and see us!

Our tentative Vegas Schedule is as follows: 
Friday- get into MGM
Monday- plans TBD
Tuesday - 12:15 Speaking at ProDPI booth on the trade show floor about Building a Brand Experience. Come on out and say hello their booth is 1309 in MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom. 5:30pm MARFA girls dinner!
Wednesday-TBD leave Wednesday evening.

As this pertains to our clients, we will be out of the office until March 11th and will return all e mails and calls at that time.

Thoughts
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Calie says: Monday, March 15, 2010, 09:42 AM

Such a Beautiful Beautiful couple!!!

John Harder says: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 05:56 AM

LOVE that shot of the two of you! So good. I love how happy you two look together. :)

Martin L. says: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 05:40 PM

Hey Sarah, for you who seem to like Vegas (and big cities in general) quite a lot, this could be interesting:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/03/nyc_and_las_vegas_from_above_a.html
Regards,
Martin

Lisa Dashiell says: Monday, March 8, 2010, 10:47 PM

Sounds so fun! I agree that health doesn't exsist in Vegas. The last time I was there I ate at McDonalds after a very long day-night-turned into morning. I think it had been five years since I ate there....then Vegas hit. I hope your having a great time!

Melina Wallisch says: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 08:30 AM

sounds like fun, would love to put it on the itinery for next year!

natasha says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 10:16 PM

have a blast! hopefully i can make it next year;)

erwinwijanto says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 06:04 PM

See u both in Vegas !! :) whoohooo ....

Meg says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 01:12 PM

Hi! It would be awesome to meet you! I'll be at Airhorns and Lasers, too!

Nathan says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 01:01 PM

wish i was going to be there this year - i would totally come say hi :) maybe next year! have a great time!

Tyler Jones says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 10:57 AM

I'll be honest, I've kept on with your blog for a long time and I've never left a comment before. I know, it's bad. But if I see you in a few days at WPPI I'll be sure to say hi!! Just remember me as the non-commenter from Colorado :)

taryn kent photography says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 10:08 AM

i love that photo of you both... you have a beautiful smile. :)
i'll be there... and would love to meet you.

Jill says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 09:20 AM

I'll be there to say hi!

Paige Butcher says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 09:20 AM

Wish I could be there! Have a great time :)

Laura says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 08:15 AM

I hope I`ll be able to start attending in the next year or two!

Kayleen T. says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 07:15 AM

I hope to meet you this weekend Sarah! Your photos are my favorite and your words are inspirational!

Kayleen T. says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 07:15 AM

I hope to meet you this weekend Sarah! Your photos are my favorite and your words are inspirational!

Nikki says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 06:17 AM

Aw, I hope you two have loads of fun! I'm really looking forward to going to WPPI next year, I can't wait to hear all the neat things from this year, though!