Friday, November 4, 2011, 11:56 AM
October is my absolute favorite time of year to live in Seattle. The leaves are turning, the markets on Sunday are bustling & you need a warm neck at all times calling for scarfs every day. This is my kind of life. I've been enjoying my cider beers more than usual, as well as my hot tea every morning. The changing seasons remind me that time is still ticking away & the holiday's are just around the corner. 

Thankfully Barb & Russell enjoy fall as much as me & wanted to do their engagement shoot while the leaves were turning on the campus of University of Washington where both of them went to school. It was an absolutely breathtaking day in Seattle and the sun came out to kiss our arms. Barb & Russell are an absolute delight. They have a passion for traveling, great senses of humor & they share an affinity for Chris & I's favorite shows.... one of those being Arrested Development. These two are just incredible & I had a ton of fun making magic with them on their engagement shoot. 

Hope everyone is loving their respective fall seasons & their yummy ciders!




Thoughts
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mckenzie powell says: Saturday, December 17, 2011, 04:03 PM

Barb, I was just admiring Sarah's gorgeous work when I realized who I was looking at! These are gorgeous images of you two! Doing a site visit of the venue on Tuesday... can't wait!

Darryl Stevens says: Wednesday, November 23, 2011, 11:53 AM

These pictures are truly amazing, some of the best I have seen in a long time they actually capture the raw essence of the couples love for each other and the emotion comes through the pics. Great work!

Gabriel says: Friday, November 18, 2011, 02:37 PM

My frist engagement session ever in Seattle was at the University of Washington campus. I miss walking that campus. These are absolutely incredible.

Abbie Kressner says: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 08:12 AM

Very cute! I think my favs are the first and last. =)

abby says: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 10:38 PM

awesome colors.
beautiful photos.

rich says: Monday, November 7, 2011, 11:47 AM

wow - there's so much wonderful love going on between these two in your images. you guys did amazing on these and the leaves and colors are beautiful!

Rachel Del Grosso says: Saturday, November 5, 2011, 09:29 AM

That one with the birds!? OH SO FANTASTIC!
you never cease to amaze me!

Kimi says: Friday, November 4, 2011, 05:36 PM

Beautiful! I love the 2nd photo and the one with the birds is absolutely lovely.

Laura says: Friday, November 4, 2011, 04:51 PM

Fall is definitely one of my favourite seasons! These are stunning photos - LOVE the one of them holding hands with the birds in the background!! Awesome work!!

Ben Elsass says: Friday, November 4, 2011, 04:49 PM

Gorgeous colors, gorgeous pictures...can't get enough of the birds/hands photo. Great stuff as always.

Anni says: Friday, November 4, 2011, 01:37 PM

Absolutely stunning. October is also one of my very favorite months for portrait sessions. The colors and sun are just gorgeous beyond belief!

the detailed life says: Friday, November 4, 2011, 01:26 PM

Oh, my goodness! the one with the hands and birds!!! and the vertical one with golden leaves... brilliance.

Alyson says: Friday, November 4, 2011, 12:43 PM

I love your photography!! All of it.. beautiful!

Alyssa Schroeder says: Friday, November 4, 2011, 12:38 PM

Beautiful photos! I love the laughing second one.

Saturday, October 29, 2011, 07:24 PM
Tonight I was prepping my notes for a speech I am giving at a conference for photographers on Tuesday. As I was going through some of my favorite books looking for some of my reference notes I found this beautiful quote that I had underlined just about two years prior. It impacted me so much then and when I read it again tonight, it had the same profound effect on me. So much so that I felt more than compelled to share it here tonight along with an image that was taken earlier this week.

Nelson Mandela is reported to have addressed these words of Marianne Williamson's to the world at large.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. 
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,
       and fabulous -
Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world. 
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people
Won't feel insecure around you. 
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. 
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone,
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
Give other people permission to do the same.
- Marianne Williamson


Thoughts
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Briget Heidmous says: Monday, November 28, 2011, 05:36 PM

Hey I really enjoyed your photographs! I especially like your blog's layout. Very attractive and easy to use.

Owen Donnahoo says: Friday, November 4, 2011, 08:51 PM

Perhaps the Law of Attraction may have to do with how I somehow ended up here in your blog...and what a gem! I am at a fork in the road, wanting but hesitant...scared? so much...but just the thought is exhilarating...thank you for this. Thank you.

Kat Harris says: Thursday, November 3, 2011, 11:36 AM

The idea that truly embracing who you are as a person and 'not shrinking back' is so freeing. That actually when I am most myself I am allowing others to be the most that they are as well.

Anda says: Thursday, November 3, 2011, 09:50 AM

One of my favorite quotes. And I'm sure you killed it during your presentation. I was just thinking of you and thought I'd stop by here. Miss ya. xo.

Mary says: Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 04:46 PM

Thank you for this Sarah...this is exactly what I needed to hear to challenge myself and never settle.

tardy says: Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 08:54 AM

thanks for posting this

julie harmsen says: Monday, October 31, 2011, 10:21 PM

Beautiful post Sarah. Thanks for this easily forgotten reminder of how much we can do and how often it can be squandered. Enjoy G.R. :) You must eat at Marie Catrib's +/ Gaia

Lorie says: Monday, October 31, 2011, 08:04 PM

I think I heard part of that quote in the movie "Akeelah and the Bee".

Abalo Latigo says: Monday, October 31, 2011, 05:17 PM

I love reading your blog! Total source of inspiration and I needed to read that today! Thanks and come back to Dallas again!!!

Erin says: Monday, October 31, 2011, 08:56 AM

Somehow, I'd never seen or heard the 2nd part of that quote, and that's the part that makes my heart race a little bit faster. The 1st paragraph alone always sounded was intimidating and confusing, the 2nd is inspirational and exciting, to me, personally. Thank you for sharing.

Jackie Lovato says: Monday, October 31, 2011, 08:43 AM

I'm reading her 'Return to Love' RIGHT NOW, actually, where she first said that. Written in the 90's, but a timeless collection of words, it rang true then and even more so now. Thanks for sharing. Always.

rich says: Monday, October 31, 2011, 08:20 AM

always love your personal posts - so inspiring!!

applem00n says: Sunday, October 30, 2011, 09:39 PM

Yes!

gina says: Sunday, October 30, 2011, 07:54 AM

yes. wonderful. thank you for reminding me (all of us) of this quote for i think i have forgotten it!

Patricia E says: Saturday, October 29, 2011, 09:42 PM

Ah. Have loved that quote for several years also. I'll be chewing on that word for a while here. THanks for sharing.

Jamie Wyckoff says: Saturday, October 29, 2011, 09:07 PM

Great quote... def a call to action! :) Thanks for sharing!

Krista Leigh Hurst says: Saturday, October 29, 2011, 08:04 PM

That's beautiful Sarah, thank you so much for sharing it!

Toni M says: Saturday, October 29, 2011, 07:57 PM

Ah! Love the quote and the picture! May it affect many more to "manifest the glory of God within us"! Thank you for posting!! :)

Thursday, October 20, 2011, 03:20 PM
On a recent trip to Dallas we had the pleasure of photographing Kayla & Clint. These two contacted us a while back about doing a lifestyle shoot of them while we were in the Dallas area. These two cuties are photographers working out of Midland, TX and made the drive up to D-town for this shoot. They ended up getting a room at the Nylo hotel which had a really cool loft, industrial & modern feel to it. Kayla & Clint said the vibe of Nylo was a true reflection of their personal style & aesthetic, making it a great place for their shoot with us. I was also stoked because you guys know what a sucker I am for yummy back-light and Dallas brought the beautiful yumminess in the light department the evening of their shoot.  We were in photographer heaven with these two. 

I'm personally attached to this particular shoot because I went into it challenging myself not to just rock out a great lifestyle shoot, but I wanted to really push myself to create something more honest in my portraiture work. Oftentimes I find myself getting to that place just* before that one truly vulnerable and brilliant frame and moving on prematurely. Recently I have been challenging myself to slow down, to sit with the moment a bit longer, and wait for that something honest & truly special to happen. These two are absolutely radiant. Enjoy Kayla & Clint!




Thoughts
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Kat Stevens says: Saturday, November 19, 2011, 11:19 PM

I LOVE these! The lighting is pretty amazing in most every shot. Love the jumping on the bed shot and the first shot for sure. Kayla, LOVE the black & white ensembles. Love that Clint has suspenders on!

Nuh Sarche says: Saturday, October 29, 2011, 02:50 AM

So inspirational!...

Dillon @ Pretoria Weddings says: Friday, October 28, 2011, 10:26 PM

Great photography Sarah, so spontaneous and natural

Stella says: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 08:30 AM

Love ALL of them!!

dorothy says: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 01:41 AM

nailed it

Spencer Combs says: Monday, October 24, 2011, 01:17 PM

The toes in the bed blow my mind! Love it!

rich says: Monday, October 24, 2011, 08:21 AM

wow - these images are so warm and beautiful! makes me inspired!

Dennis Bullock says: Saturday, October 22, 2011, 09:22 AM

These are all so amazing Sarah!

arenda says: Saturday, October 22, 2011, 09:10 AM

the b+w portrait of kayla is beautiful.

Whitney Arnett says: Friday, October 21, 2011, 10:52 AM

I love the simplicity of these photos, They are so real. I have really been enjoying your work lately :)

Greg Hoskins says: Friday, October 21, 2011, 09:12 AM

So. Perfect.

Ashley Rodgers says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 07:10 PM

Beautiful images! This sure looks like some good Texas light!

Lydia says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 05:08 PM

Wow, Sarah, I'm in love with these! So real, authentic, and beautiful!

Laura Biebl says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 04:46 PM

These are gorgeous! As usual :)

Sean M. says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 04:10 PM

Great pics as usual. I just stayed at the NYLO. What a great place for a shoot.

the detailed life says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 04:05 PM

love the feet shot.

Linda Schilberg says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 04:00 PM

OH Kayla! You guys look so stinking great!!! Love the colors!!!! Absolutely beautiful!!!! Sarah & Chris did an amazing job!!!!!! West Texas Represent!!!!

Shari says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 03:36 PM

AMAZING. Love everything about this shoot. You and Chris are ridiculous...in the best way possible :) That first shot is my favorite!

Jenn Stark says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 03:35 PM

wowie you guys did amazing! these two must be so happy! x

Kayla says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 03:34 PM

AHHHHHHHH! Freakin' out! IN LOVE with them of course! We had SO much fun with ya'll! We are going to treasure these forever! SO us!

Thursday, October 20, 2011, 02:33 PM
What if? It's THE question that fosters ingenuity. It drives our advancements, large & small and yet it's the simplest of questions... What if? 

What if, I take a leap into the unknown? 
What if, we decide to do something that scares the heck out of us?

What if... is a question that is not only asked on a regular basis in Chris & I's world... it is a question that we live by. Why? because we are dreamers. But more importantly, we are do'ers. No great endeavor ever began without someone asking "what if?" and thus setting something brilliant in motion. I imagine it is a question that is on the tongue of any great innovator at any given moment.

We are so thrilled to be invited to be a speaker/innovator & collaborator at the very first "WHAT IF" conference in Cabo, Mexico this coming January. We believe in what this conference is all about. This is a conference for Creatives, by Creatives. It's for people that want to put something great into motion. Each of the innovators involved in this project have very unique respective journeys & perspectives that have required taking leaps of faith to get to where we all are. We are excited to learn from everyone at the conference. The innovators on board for this so far are us, Jesse & Whitney of Our Labor of Love, our Aussie buddy Dan O'Day, Steve & Jenn Bebb, Justin Lyon , Jesh de Rox & Jamie Ibarra. Such an incredible crew of people that we feel fortunate to link arms with.

I am personally totally stoked to hang out at a resort in Mexico with a bunch of totally talented photographers and gain new insights, perspectives & get back to the heart and soul behind why I am a photographer. If you are a big dreamer, an innovator & someone who has questions about "what next?" this is a conference for you. For those of you want to learn more please head on over to the website to hear more. And you can get signed up here.



Thoughts
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Feuza says: Monday, November 7, 2011, 08:03 AM

Sounds so much better than WPPI and exactly what I need, Dear God send me the money to attend pretty please :-)

Kate says: Monday, October 31, 2011, 07:20 PM

Oh goodness. I just attended the Australian national conference for pro photogs last week, and met Dan, and listened to Jesh speak.

Add Mexico into that equation, throw in you two and a bunch more - I didn't think it could get much better than it already was!

Kristin says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 07:59 PM

This looks AWESOME! Would love to go. I'll have to make sure it gets into the budget next time around!

janine kaye says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 05:34 PM

I am so excited to be attending this..I really need this in my life right now.. ! Plus I am excited to see you both again (hopefully without the puffy eyeballs and hayfever!)

Kayla says: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 03:22 PM

Ooooh! Clint and I might have to hit this up! We have been wanting to go to Cabo!!!