Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:06 AM
There is no greater feeling than shooting for yourself. There is something so gratifying about having a vision and seeing it come full circle. Shooting for yourself is vital to every artist and most of us don't do it often enough. This was a winter lifestyle concept shoot that Chris and I had been dreaming up for a while and finally had the opportunity to make it all happen last month. This shoot allowed us to get outside the "norm" of shooting couples and shoot some different things that excite us for our book. We ate it up. The concept for the shoot was three friends from NYC heading to vacation in the snowy mountains for the weekend. 

We had a great crew on board with amazing talent. Everyone was jiving on this shoot. It is so important to us that everyone involved on the day of a shoot really grasp and get excited about the vision. Everyone on board not only got it, but totally had fun with it which is always the goal. We had a full day with a 6:30 am call time and finished up around 7:30 pm that night. Both Chris and I put a lot of time into producing this shoot in order to make it happen at the caliber that we had imagined it happening in our minds. There were a lot of people involved in the process that were kind and generous enough to give of their talents that day. People are what matter in life... people are what make things happen and we are so thankful for the awesome people that came together for this shoot. I have to give a huge shout out to the models because they were rolling around in the snow in under 30 degree weather most of the day and they did it with smiles on their faces. THOSE are the kind of people we want on a set. People that can grin and bear it. People with good attitudes. This crew is what made the shoot. Our intern, Marissa, put together a little behind the scenes video of the day that you can check out here: Snoqualmie BTS

Concept & Photography: Sarah & Chris Rhoads
Makeup/Hair: Tiffany Lowry 
Models: Ashlyn Pearce & Kourtney of Heffner and Kyle Still of Mode
Hair Pieces: Violet Magpie
Clothing: La rousse
Assistant: Marissa Maharaj
Digital Tech Assist: Tyler Eide








Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (68)
phebe ha says: Friday, April 9, 2010, 05:30 PM

WOW! i love every single picture from this shoot! thanks for making me smile! =) and I totally agree that people are what matter in life.

Lara says: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 11:00 PM

These are priceless, Sarah! So good to see you at WPPI. Too short a visit as always. Thanks for being you and lighting up every room you enter. Much love to you and Chris!

Kellie says: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 03:28 PM

Absolutely stunning imagery! LOVE all of them, but the inside shots are to die for. Gorgeous models, styling and makeup. Very inspirational work!

Katie says: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 12:57 PM

Wowee, amazing! Soooo many favourites I don't know where to start! Simply stunning colour and light and it looks like an absolute riot!

John Heil says: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 11:46 AM

wow, so gorgeous! absolutely love the styling and character of this shoot. It's like an Anthropology campaign - love how much thought and planning you put into this. :) Thanks for inspiring us to try something different. You rock!

Laura Badgley says: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 11:34 AM

These photos are dank. : ) You are fab photographers! I love looking at your work.

whitney law says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 07:59 PM

this inspires me. like, tenfold. squared.

whitney law says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 07:57 PM

this inspires me. like, tenfold.

Harmony Loves says: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 07:51 PM

I'm in LOVE!!! So fun and fresh! I can't stop looking!

Tressa says: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 08:18 AM

Love everything about this shoot & concept!

tamara says: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 06:43 PM

Fun...Beautiful..love these

Amanda says: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 02:26 PM

UH-MAZE-ING. Great shoot concept and styling. Love.

Amy says: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 01:47 PM

beautiful, fun-filled images! very inspiring. :)

Carter Moore says: Saturday, March 6, 2010, 09:29 AM

Sarah, great job in the snow. I live where there is snow all the freakin time and these are some of the better snow shots I have seen taken. I love the second to last photo with the van. Great work

Mary Wimmer says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 12:50 PM

Oh I love it. I just want to go play in the snow with them! Awesome pictures.

Nuh Sarche says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 12:27 PM

This photos are soooooooooo great!

Awesome!

Rachel Pick says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 12:15 PM

Wonderful series! Love the emotion recorded, the feeling of 'now' and joy in these frames. Next stop: Urban Outfitters catalogue!? :)

Heather Kincaid says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 10:08 AM

Love love love!

Gina Meola says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 10:03 AM

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!! In love with this shoot!

Andy Ostafi says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 08:03 AM

OMG!!!!

Gail says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 06:18 AM

GORGEOUS! Props to you guys, the crew you assembled and this gorgeous trio for spending all that time in the snow!

Beata English says: Friday, March 5, 2010, 04:21 AM

These are some of my favourites! Amazing! They have to be the most beautiful gorgeous people i have ever seen! I can't stop looking at these images! Couple of days and i get to see you in person!!!! YAY!

Kayleen T. says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 11:20 PM

These pictures are so happy and full of joy! And I admire you taking the time to shoot for you, it's inspiring!

natasha says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 10:29 PM

.:.gorgeous.:.breathtaking.:.inspiring.:.& so much FUN!!!

Feuza says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:47 PM

this make me smile and feel warm even in looking at the snow, how fun! these models are so beautiful! love the concept, love the shooting for your self, and love how sharp these images turned out and you are brave for being in that weather and hitting that shutter
this looks like an expensive magazine ad,
job very well done

Brandon Witzel says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:45 PM

So fun! Thanks for sharing. :)

Christine Pobke says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:38 PM

AHH!!!!! :) :) :) You guys are INCREDIBLE. This shoot is perfect and belongs in a book of inspirational art. Or Vogue. Whichever. :) Love your concepts and ideas and seeing them come to fruition! So so so beautiful, I can't stop gushing. :) I can't wait until you guys get back from WPPI - so much to talk about! Have an amaaaazing time!!!! xoxox

kylie says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:31 PM

Wow Sarah. This is truly amazing and all inspiring. Wow.

Ryan Ray says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 04:42 PM

Incredible shoot! I loved it!!

latteaddict says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 04:02 PM

Great shots...I found the girl with the blue eyes mezmerizing. I think you are an old soul Sarah, how does a girl so young have such good advice about life! Thanks for the insights.

Laura Biebl says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 03:36 PM

These are SO beautiful. Love all the colors and settings! Amazing.

Bianca Valentim says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 01:52 PM

WOOOWOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!
A-W-E-S-O-M-E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sacha says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 01:41 PM

What delicious light you had - where was this? Surely it doesn't snow in Seatle! Or was it in Vt if they were heading up from NYC. The models are fabulous and the shoot fun and real - why don't you start doing editorial - just a lovely shoot.

Jenny Solar says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 01:41 PM

WOW! These rock my snow boots off! Seriously, makes me wanna go shoot some friends in the snow NOW. Well done guys, well done!

Emily says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 12:55 PM

WOW - what an amazing shoot!!! I love these images - they belong in magazines! :)

LisaK says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 12:53 PM

These photos are like total perfection! You guys are so going to be shooting for magazines one day! I love the outfits, the way you've posed them and not posed them. The one of the girl by the window is just stunning. I could go on and on but I best not...; ) You two are just so talented!

mary says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 12:47 PM

gorgeously styled, so fun.

Lyndzee of EP says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 11:10 AM

O-M-Gooooodness. I can't even say how much I love these images. Rog and I have been cooking up some shoots 'for us' and this makes me even more excited for them. BEAUTIFUL!!!
You.Inspire.

Rebecca Hansen says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 10:49 AM

Sarah! Holy wow! I expect to see an anthropologie catalog come to my door one day filled with your pictures. You are amazing, I'm sad we won't get to see you in Vegas this week.

Lydia says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 10:32 AM

Sarah, these are amazing and fun!! It makes me want to get out and shoot more for myself!

Mary says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 10:27 AM

Oh my goodness!! These are some of the most gorgeous lifestyle editorial images I have ever seen! Amazing shoot...stunning all around! So happy that you guys had the opportunity to make something you have been dreaming up for a long time come to life!!! I can't wait to see more of these in the future!

Emma Davenport says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 10:06 AM

Gosh, these are so beautiful and fresh. Really love the tartan blanket settee shot it's got a lovely 50s feel to it.

Kayla says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 09:59 AM

I LOVE them! I want to see more! Love the behind the scenes video too!

Marissa Rodriguez says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 09:49 AM

THESE ARE INCREDIBLE! Cannot stop looking through all of them....

lauren clark says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 09:29 AM

LOVE these!

Justin James says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 09:15 AM

Uh-Freakin-Mazing! Great job! Everyone looks amazing. Love the styling, love the shots. I hope you guys do more of this stuff! Like you said, it is a nice change of pace coming from you two. Great work all around.

Whitney Hayward says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:59 AM

This is so good. American Eagle FTW? Haha, these photos are gorgeous!

Katie Neal Photo says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:59 AM

OMG LOVE em all!! Looks like an American Eagle ad but better!! How will I find you at wppi?! I just need to meet you!! You are in my top 5 fave photogs EVER! :)

ken says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:53 AM

AMAZING!!!

Abigail Smith says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:45 AM

Wow, wow, wow!!!! This is absolutely one of my favorite shoots ever!!!! Awesome job!!

Abigail Smith says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:45 AM

Wow, wow, wow!!!! This is absolutely one of my favorite shoots ever!!!! Awesome job!!

jane button says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:38 AM

Whatever they are selling, I want to buy it - gorgeous! Kudos to you for getting through such a long day when you were not feeling well, too!

Drew says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:30 AM

Oh my gosh what a fun shoot. I love all the exciting action that was captured. Thanks for the inspiration... even though there's no snow around here. :-)

Carlie Statsky says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:30 AM

So lovely....makes me want to pack up the van and head for the mountains. Can I borrow their entire wardrobe for my trip please?

Briony says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:29 AM

these are seriously insane. what a beautiful concept...makes the snow actually look pleasant :)

congrats on seeing your vision come to pass!

italida says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:25 AM

Your photos are wonderful... I know that I aver say the some things, but that's what I think seeing your fantastic images ♥ :))

Paige Butcher says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:24 AM

SO INCREDIBLY INSPIRING. Wow. You have no idea. This is stunning, fun, and just plain perfect in every way. Great job :)

Francis says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:23 AM

INSANITY. you definitely cranked it up a notch on this shoot.. Spectacular!

KELLI TRONTELL says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:20 AM

WOWZA!!!!
These are gorgeous!
Shoots for furthering our own creativity are the BEST! Im so gad you did this. FABULOUS job, my friend.
xo

Jeremy Gilliam says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:20 AM

Perfect, love it.

KELLI TRONTELL says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:19 AM

WOWZA!!!!
These are gorgeous!
Shoots for furthering our own creativity are the BEST! Im so gad you did this. FABULOUS job, my friend.
xo

Tiffany says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:19 AM

LOVE! What an amazing shoot and I can't get over how beautiful the light is!

Jeremy Gilliam says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:19 AM

Perfect, love it.

Sasha says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:18 AM

Wonderful photos. What lens did you use for most of these? I'm an amateur photographer so I always ask questions of phtoographers I enjoy. :)

anda says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:18 AM

i love styling personal shoots -- so fullfilling! this is awesome. could totally be an aerie/american eagle lookbook.

Tiffany says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:18 AM

LOVE! What an amazing shoot and I can't get over how beautiful the light is!

Adrian Hitt says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:17 AM

These are absolutely gorgeous. Such talent and it makes me miss the snow! Wonderful, wonderful job!

Ruthie P. says: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:16 AM

I am totally in LOVE with this session!! I was blown away by this images! Congratulations once again.