Posted by: sarahrhoads | September 7th, 2010
Wendy Laurel is a hippy child at heart :) I love her for that. Wendy is a photographer based in Maui and when we posted our
travel schedule saying we would be in Maui to shoot a wedding, Wendy reached out about doing a
mentor session with us while we were on the island. We had an awesome day with Wendy! What an incredible person with endless potential.
Chris and I were so excited to dig into Wendy's business with her for an all day mentor session. When we asked Wendy what makes her stand out from other photographers she answered with "my photos are not timid." I am so in love with that answer. Wendy knows who she is and her photos are honest and interesting. So much of this business is not about knowing all the right "rules," (because the truth is that there aren't any), but rather about knowing yourself, trusting your vision and putting it into the world un-apoligetically.
During our time together we talked about marketing/branding, shooting for yourself, harnessing your vision, getting published, processing, workflow among a gamut of other things. It is so cool to see people get so excited about the new levels that they can take their shooting and business to. After our time together, we went to Wendy's site and blog only to discover she had applied many of the pieces of advice that Chris and I gave her during our critique. I would encourage you to read through Wendy's recent post on
why she is a photographer... I found it to be a beautiful peek into her heart as a person and artist.
Tags: DESTINATION, Destination Mentor sessions, destination photographers, destination wedding photographers, Lifestyle Photographers, Maui Mentor Sessions, Maui Photographer, Mentor Session, Mentoring, photography mentoring, Sarah & Chris Rhoads, Sarah Rhoads Mentoring, Sarah Rhodes Blog, Sarah Rhodes Mentor, Seattle Wedding photographers, Travel, Wendy Laurel, Wendy Laurel Photography
Posted by: Rowell Photography | August 31st, 2010
A few weeks ago we photographed Greg & Lisa’s wedding at the Capitol Theatre in Toronto. You may remember them from their engagement session last year in Muskoka or even the time lapse wedding video just a few posts back. Greg & Lisa’s wedding was the most colourful wedding we have ever seen. Every detail from the decor, to the linens, the cake, even Lisa’s shoes matched their hawaiian theme. Of course in order to have a wedding this awesome you have to have a team of awesome vendors: Crystal Adair-Benning from Distinct Occasions Wedding Planning & Design, Designing Trendz for decor & floral design, and Lori Hutchinson The Caketress.
Greg & Lisa are teachers who get to work alongside one another everyday (much like Ryan and myself) they are fun, adventurous, best friends and so much in love. We had such a great time shooting this wedding, and getting to know this amazing couple over the last year. We can’t wait to share their destination honeymoon photos from Iceland with you all very soon.
Congratulations Greg & Lisa !
Thank you for choosing us to photograph your wedding.
Stay tuned to the blog over the next week to see images from our trip to Iceland!!
Erika & Ryan
Related posts:
- Capitol Theatre Wedding Time Lapse – Toronto, ON
- Greg & Lisa are engaged- Muskoka, ON
- Rockstar Wedding Vendor – Distinct Occasions Weddings
Tags: alexander muir park, barrie wedding photographers, best photography toronto, best weddings, canadian wedding photgoraphy, capitol theater, capitol theatre, Designing Trendz, DESTINATION, distinct occasions, Engagement Session, Floral design, honeymoon photos, lori hutchinson, Muskoka, orange weddings, pink weddings, the caketress, wedding photography toronto, Wedding Planning, Weddings
Posted by: Socialite Studios | August 28th, 2010
Lately I have taken a break from blogging, as I am slowly turning it into a more personal journal. With all the adventures and stories I have the opportunity to see, I hope to find new ways to share all of these moments, along with personal memoirs.
This entry is not only for a recent bride of mine, but a friend, college alumni and sorority sister. It broke my heart to hear that Melissa is fighting against cancer at such a young age, especially after being in the clear recently for her big day…
I am asking everyone to join the prayer circle group created in her honor by clicking HERE. Melissa is strong and I admire her grace… Michael is loving & loyal… and I admire his strength for Melissa as well. I personally believe in the power of surrounding yourself with healing thoughts, the power of prayer, sunshine, laughter, a good cry and fond memories… and so I created this blog and slide show for Melissa (and Michael too), in hopes that it will bring a smile to her face and a ray of light on the days that may be harder than others.
I love you Melissa! Stay Strong… Enjoy the photos, they show your beauty inside and out, you are such a gracious and kind hearted person… If you shared in this beautiful day, you may also find yourself among the slide show 
. Enjoy!
Tags: cape may new jersey, cape may wedding photography, cape may weddings, DESTINATION, Giving Back, Joelle Susan, Melissa and Michael Bugbee, melissa bugbee, michael bugbe, New Jersey wedding photographers, Personal, socialite studios, Weddings
Posted by: Socialite Studios | August 27th, 2010
We were not 100 percent sure if they were red ants crawling around… or perhaps the long-green grass brushing against our skin. The summer sun invited Mahailey & I in, with a welcoming glow, for her third portrait shoot. Taking me along to her family property, I immediately became head-over-heels with the land. How great for someone to be able to use a backdrop with personal history… but how rare for it to also strike so many heart strings behind the camera as well.
I have a daydream about this secluded lot of land just waiting for me. It would have a river or lake and a little dirt road… The type of place your music doesn’t bother any neighbors and a yard you can fill with memories. Those type of places with a breeze caught by weeping trees and character that can’t be bought. A lot of times the daydream looks a lot like this photo shoot, and so, it was very exciting.
After braving what we could of the fields, grabbing a coke and heading to a beach… We took a few more photos by the shore.
I am so excited for Mahailey & Craig to now be happily married. Spending time with someone through portrait photography has changed my entire outlook on life and work. While weddings bring a chance to share in a moment of someones life, portraits have the opportunity to bring an entirely different set of love stories and energy. I am so grateful for meeting Mahailey… She trusted me to capture three segments of her love story and it was inspiring. Perhaps people do not know when they change your path a little, but it has been a pleasure getting to know her. I hope to continue photographing the life moments of many past and future clients.
Tags: Charleston, Charleston Photographers, Charleston Wedding Photographers, Charleston Weddings, craig nettles, DESTINATION, Joelle Susan, mahailey and craig nettles, mahailey nettles, Mount Pleasant, socialite studios, tampa photographers, Tampa Wedding Photographers, Trash The Dress, Trash The Dress and Post Wedding, wedding photographers
Posted by: Poser: Image | August 26th, 2010
It might be a faux-pas to say something like “favorite clients”, ESPECIALLY when they aren’t even your clients.
So I won’t say that.
I’m not sayin, just sayin.
But if I had “favorite clients”, it might look like the thank you card Surya sent her bridesmaids that started “Dear best bitches ever..”
And surely, if i were to have “favorite clients” they would sing Ingrid Michaelson’s “You and I” to their husband at the altar.
And it would sound like “Love Is a Big Deal”, the song Miya, Surya’s sister wrote for them, and sang for their first dance.
And it would dance like Nick and Surya danced their first dance.
And it would feel like the breeze of the breathtaking mountain they would get married on.
And my “favorite clients”, if I had some, would party like Nick and Surya partied, till all hours of the night, attempting to, but alas unable, to relish every moment of the most special day they have known because it was simply too much.
It would seem like a dream.
Which would prompt to my “favorite clients” to email something like this:
“oh man.
i can’t believe i haven’t written yet. but i just feel like nothing i can put into sentences, is enough.
it was an epic win for love. the whole day. it was one of those lovely moments when there are too many inspired and genuinely happy people for the world not to change just a little.
and having you and jonas there. so amazing and in-tune with your craft . . . and so happy doing it. i just can’t thank you enough. truly, there are not two other souls that could have been there and it been what it was.
random fact about me, from probably ages 7 to 9, i was petrified that i was dreaming. like my whole life was a dream and i was going to wake up and be a baby and have to do it all over. lighthearted for a little child. hahah.
but i’ve found myself these last few weeks feeling that again. that it couldn’t have been that perfect. that our friends didn’t encircle us that last song on the dance floor and sing along with us at the top of their lungs. that i will wake up that morning, once again. and it will be just fine. but just that, fine. not the magic that it was.
but we got the slideshow a couple days ago.
and it was real.
and i can’t thank you enough for being a part of that. we are forever grateful. and while we can’t do it all again, we could take you out for a drink and a bite next time you are in town. hope you’ll let us.
xo
surya”
It seemed like everyone at this wedding was as happy that Nick and Surya were marrying each other as they were. It was as if they all knew, having known them, that if they didn’t, the world would be worse off.
Surya summed it up perfectly…
“It was an epic WIN for love.”
Really, it was an epic win for me. Thank you Jonas, my friend, for asking me to come along. This was one to remember.
And thank you Nick and Surya for welcoming me into your world. For being vulnerable enough to be yourselves and letting me in. It was, and you are, beautiful.
If I had “favorite clients”, that’s what it would be like.
Tags: Basalt Colorado, dancing, DESTINATION, Destination Weddings, Fashion, flare, Fun, intimate, laughing, lifestyle, Love is a Big Deal, mountains, Other Wedding Friends, passion, Poser, poser image, poser weddings, romance, Wedding Photographer, Weddings
Posted by: Table4 Weddings | August 25th, 2010
In exactly two weeks, I’ll be on a plane headed towards Hanoi, Vietnam to photograph the grand opening party for Gucci Hanoi. I found this out last Friday morning, so for the last 5 days, I’ve been frantically putting together a staff and finding the best flights (as well as shooting a wedding + hanging out with out of town friends). Amidst all the Kayak.com refreshing, texts, emails, and eating, I can’t help but stop and think just how fortunate I am. And not just in the, “Look at me and all the cool things I get to do!” but more like, “Wow. I am so incredibly blessed and grateful.” I saw this quote on my twitter feed the other day and it’s calming, “Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.”
Three years ago when I started, I would’ve never thought Table4 would grow into what it is today. Obviously, it took a lot of hard work, long long days, incredible clients, and a bit of luck. But to get HERE? To photograph weddings all over the world and be paid for it? That’s an overwhelmingly humbling feeling. So you may be wondering how I got this job exactly. Back in April, I photographed Mary Anna and Josh’s wedding at the Houston Hotel Zaza. Josh’s uncle is a fashion retailer in Vietnam, who helped open Vietnam’s first Gucci store in Saigon and is helping open the 2nd store in Hanoi. Josh’s brother, Jonathan, who gave one of the best best man speeches I’ve ever heard, is also working for his uncle in Hanoi. So, really, it’s because of Mary Anna and Josh that I’m going to Vietnam on such short notice.
So, I’ll be going to Hanoi to photograph the grand opening party for Gucci in two weeks. (I can’t believe those words are coming out of my fingers right now!) And I’ll be staying an extra few days to eat, eat, eat. But since I’ll have most of my gear there, I’d love to shoot as well! I know this is a long shot, but if anyone (or anyone you know) is getting married in Hanoi around September 11, 2010 and haven’t found a photographer, I want to be their photographer! Or if you have a wedding dress and a good looking groom, let’s shoot a portrait session! And the best part? No travel fees! Send me an email if you’re interested.
Now….what am I going to wear?
Tags: DESTINATION, gucci hanoi, News
Posted by: sarahrhoads | August 24th, 2010
Darby & Reece are some of the most sincerely gracious people you could ever meet. They truly LOVE people and life. Darby is a school teacher and Reece is a film producer. We felt so honored to be a part of their wedding. Everyone felt like a friend, every second felt like a celebration. Their day was honest, down to earth, imaginative, quirky and creative. These guys were a perfect couple for us :)
These two had an amazing wedding in Santa Barbara, California overlooking the ocean. Darby & Reece thought of all of the little things and their day was a total reflection of them. I think it's pretty safe to say that they used my favorite color pallet of all time, accenting everything with a soft & pretty yellows, yummy green's and muted grey's. It was light and happy with a little bit of throw-back :). I loved all of the unique little elements and ideas these two implemented into their day. If you want to see some fun out-takes from
Darby & Reeces's Smilebooth you can check out the slideshow
here.
Enjoy some tastiness from Darby & Reece's Weddin'!
Tags: Chris Rhoads, Corporate Smilebooth, Custom Smilebooth Backdrop, Darby & Reece, DESTINATION, destination wedding photographers, Our labor of Love, Photobooth, Photobooth at wedding, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Wedding Photographers, Sarah Rhoads Smilebooth, Sarah Rhodes Smilebooth, Smilebooth, Smilebooth California, Smilebooth Seattle, Wedding, Weddings
Posted by: Socialite Studios | August 22nd, 2010
I cannot believe it has been over a year since I first met Liz & Vince for their engagement shoot! With a wedding anniversary in just 2 months (Halloween!!!)… They decided to take on the town for a Trash the Dress session. We went with two different ideas- first, using the movie theater from “The Notebook.” I emailed Liz to tell her that Target had popcorn buckets and we started to make a little story. I dodged a bit of traffic and they were great sports as usual!!! After the theater, we wandered some of downtown and a bit of the old-urban style homes. These made amazing backdrops with their old wood textures, broken windows and our trespassing skills (hey gotta do what you gotta do for the shot). Minus seeing a giant rat strolling across a rooftop lol, all went well, and once again these two rocked. I always miss them, Liz & Vince are two of the most loving AND fun couples I have had the pleasure to work with, and not just for the wedding, but THREE times now . I’m hoping for a mini version of them sometime soon so I can visit with the camera again … Sorry Liz . Hope you two are enjoying Atlanta!
Tags: Bellezza Salon and Spa, Celebrity PHotographers, Celebrity Wedding Photographers, Charleston, charleston bridal portraits, charleston engagement photos, Charleston Photographers, DESTINATION, Destination Weddings, Florida Weddings, Joelle Susan, liz and vince bartges, Portraits, south Carolina photographers, Trash The Dress, Trash The Dress and Post Wedding
Posted by: Poser: Image | August 21st, 2010
Tags: Aruba, cabo, cabo san lucas, dallas wedding photographer, daytona beach, DESTINATION, destination wedding photographer, Destination Weddings, Fashion, Florida, Indian wedding, intimate, island, island wedding, lifestyle, Mexico, mexico wedding, ocean, passion, Personal, Poser, poser image, poser weddings, romance, southern weddings, sun
Posted by: Table4 Weddings | August 19th, 2010
I have to say this has been one of the most difficult blog posts for me to write. There’s so much to say and so little room for which to say it. When Celine asked me to photograph her wedding in France back in December of 2008, I almost went crazy from excitement. We instantly kicked things off with emails regarding football, food, and wedding plans. 6 months later, we meet over coffee in Houston to talk face to face and figure out if we were a good fit for each other. After that, I knew she and Justin had an unrehearsed kind of love and believed hopelessly in the romance of their relationship.
I recall Celine describing her wedding to me, all the events, the close family and friends, the French chateau nestled in the wine country of Bordeaux; one word kept coming up: Romance. Not only did she want the wedding to be romantic, but the entire week to be as well. She dreamed of a week where people from both sides of their lives became friends and congregated to celebrate their wedding with them. That by the time their wedding ceremony took place, they had not just their approval, but the united support from their families and friends. They extended that invitation to me and welcomed me into their intimate circle of friends and family, inviting me to join them for an entire week of festivities and a celebration of romance.
So, I’m going start backwards with this post. At the end of these images is a link to a slideshow summarizing the entire week. (There’s some French music to accompany the images, so if you’re at work, I’d suggest turning off your speakers.) Between you and me, I’d like to post 200 images from their wedding, but I think most people would not appreciate that. So, it pains me to just show 20 right now, but hopefully the slideshow will help you see the complete story.
Celine and Justin planned a week long of activities starting with a welcome party on Sunday, a winery tour on Monday, a tour of the famous St. Emilion on Tuesday, and a river boat rehearsal dinner on Wednesday, all before their wedding at Chateau Lagorce on Thursday. We also spent a day in Paris on Friday before they left for their honeymoon.
Celine and Justin, I don’t know how else to say this. Thank you. Thank you for welcoming me and befriending me. Thank you for getting to know me, sharing your lives with me, and laughing at my jokes. Thank you for taking such good care of me and for being so comfortable with me to share your intimate relationship with me and my camera. I have no idea how I am so lucky to call you friends.
Last but not least, I’d like to thank my close friends Aric and Casey for coming on this trip and capturing this wedding with me. The trip wouldn’t have been the same without you guys and I’m so thankful I was able to enjoy my first time in Europe with good friends.
Tags: chateau lagorce, DESTINATION, haux france, paris wedding photography, Vineyard wedding, Wedding, wine country wedding
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