Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 07:33 AM
Leela & Edmund have "it."
They've got that magical something that makes a relationship last. Leela and Edmund have a relationship with depth, soul, spirituality and romance. These are the type of people who overcome obstacles in life with tenacity and come out on top. They have passion, charisma and joy. It was a true honor to celebrate their day with them in Maryland a couple of weeks ago.

Leela & Edmund had a beautifully unique wedding that payed homage to both of their roots. The start of the day was a hindu celebration and the second half of the day was a full western ceremony with a change of clothes and the whole nine :) 

All of the colors at this wedding were a dream. I couldn't get enough of all of the beautiful little details that all had sentimental value. The way that this family knew how to celebrate was incredible. The dancing, the drums, the hena, the colors and ceremony, all of it was so inspiring to take in. Chris and I loved it. 

These two are away on their honeymoon in, Thailand!! Every time someone goes to Thailand I want them to pack me up in their suitcase and take me along for the ride... I think I may have been a bit of a third wheel on a honeymoon trip ;) 

Coordinator: Charlene LIbertini





Thoughts
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jane Hasty says: Friday, July 16, 2010, 11:46 PM

Seriously-AMAZING!

Truc says: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 04:53 AM

Amazing photos, and what a lovely wedding!

Lisa says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 09:19 PM

Gorgeous! I also LOVE the almost kissing shot. It's so intimate and beautiful and made my heart do a little skip : )

Jono says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 09:04 PM

In all of the Bollywood movies I've watched, I don't remember any of them containing kissing. The frame you have of them almost kissing feels almost taboo to me! Within this context, it feels like you're pushing the envelope while being tastefully explicit about their intimacy. I love that depth.

julie h says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 05:08 PM

the photo of Leela & Edmund in the woods sitting on the log is haunting. good haunting. so good.

Kevin Wrenn Photography says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 11:10 AM

WOW! what a wedding! You guys captured so many wonderful moments. The details of the Indian wedding are expansive and you guys really encapsulated them so well. Great team work Sarah and Chris! How beautiful is that dress?!?!

Joseph Richardson says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 08:53 AM

Nice work! The artwork on he bride's hands is beautiful, and you did a great job of showing that.

Martha says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 08:30 AM

Amazing, breath-taking, fantastic. Gorgeous ceremony and phenomenal photography!

Sid says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 08:21 AM

Sarah,
Being Indian, I have been to countless such weddings over my life, and never have I seen a photographer capture it this well.

LOOOOOOVE it!

Great job!!!

These pictures are full of emotion and you have really brought the ceremonies to life.

Adam Kealing says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 08:11 AM

wow wow wow! Absolutely love the colors and the feel of everything. Wonderful shots as always :)

Channon Zabel says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 08:01 AM

I was blessed enough to help your friends OLOL shoot a hindu wedding in DC last weekend. It was my first. I kept turning to Whitney and Jesse the entire time saying "thank you! this is making me so happy!" I love all the ceremonies, the music, the dancing, the colors. Such a wonderful celebration of life and love.

Ryan Gladstone says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 07:46 AM

Great work, as always.The first photo is my favorite.

Katie says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 07:45 AM

Incredible.

Ryan Klos says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 07:44 AM

Beautiful captures!

Latasha says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 07:41 AM

Wow! How spectacular! I especially love the one of them sitting together in the woods. Great work.

Monday, July 12, 2010, 10:55 AM
One of my favorite authors, Seth Godin, defines art as "unique, new, and challenging to the status quo. It is not decoration. It is something that causes change." 

I love this definition of art. It forces me to ask myself the difficult question of how are my photos causing change? 

Getting to the heart of people has always been my passion. There is an art to drawing out that beautiful space of authenticity and freedom in people. For me, change can happen between the subjects we are working with, the people experiencing the imagery, or change can happen in me, as the artist. The ultimate goal is for an experience. When we experience, we change. When we experience, we grow. Which beckons the question of, how can I build experiences for each of the people we work with? When we can create experiences for people through taking photos we give them a gift that is more than just a pretty picture. 

Being a body who snaps a shutter and knows the technicalities of the camera is merely being a photographer. Having a WHY, a reason behind the shutter, is what differentiates a photographer from an artist. My why? I want people to experience love and freedom through our images... I want to create imagery that inspires people to love harder and live a life dancing in freedom, joy and passion. 

Just some thoughts I have been having recently on inviting people into an experience that I thought I would share... 

Happy Monday!


Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (7)
Emma Case says: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 04:17 AM

Hey Sarah and Chris,

I wholeheartedly agree.

x

Alex says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 03:31 AM

Beautiful post!!! :) So inspiring as usual!

Melina Wallisch says: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 10:55 AM

you ARE changing the world

Anda says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 02:36 PM

I wrote about Seth Godin and being an artist today TOO. Ahh, great minds...LOL.

Lora Ayers says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 01:38 PM

Very well said, and such a great desire to have. Thanks for sharing.

mandiimae says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 01:36 PM

i like the way you think. and i like when you share with us what you're thinking:) thank you!

kirsten says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 01:21 PM

I love that definition of art too. Wonderful things to think about, thanks Sarah!

Friday, July 9, 2010, 09:12 AM
A while back I was contacted by a fantastic stylist in Portland, Rebecca Westby about putting together a test this summer on her parents property in Gig Harbor. When she told me there was mini-ponies, sheep and all kinds of other little intriguing creatures I was sold! :) 

This is part one of an all day shoot we had in the country a few weeks ago. I cannot stress the importance of shooting for yourself enough. We are so busy right now it would seem crazy to most people to go out and do a test, but I would dare to say they are absolutely necessary to staying fresh and pushing ourselves as photographers and artists. It's essential to go out and shoot something different than what you are used to and have the freedom to try something different and see things from an entirely new perspective. This shoot was exactly what I needed in the middle of our busy season. It was so much fun to be out there frolicking in the sunshine with an amazing group of people who made this shoot a reality. I am so thankful for the talented friends that gather round to share their talents with the world. They are what make shoots like this come to life. Happy Friday everyone!

Styling: Rebecca Westby
Hair/Makeup: Tiffany Lowry
Hair Pieces: Phoebe at El Sage



Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (25)
Truc says: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 04:50 AM

I'm in love with these images. Gorgeous!

Kayleen T. says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 09:11 PM

Aww... a little pony! I heart it!

Alex says: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 03:32 AM

Beautiful work! Shooting for yourself is so important!

Spencer Combs says: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 01:34 PM

Awesome Series!! Love the mini horse and the image through the glass super epic!

Casia Fletcher says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 06:25 PM

This shoot reminds me sooooo much of my sister! I know weird huh?! But throughout high school she was my 'test' model with all my school projects and we would just go out into the desert/junk yards and experiment with light, clothing, pets (chickens & rabbits) and pretty much goof off. It was a BLAST and this shoot has made me realize I need to do that more often. Thank you :)

Kirstie says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 06:10 PM

The black and white of her leaning into the pony's face is simply magical.

Anda says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 04:50 PM

Love love loverly loveliness. Basically I love this.

Laura says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 09:01 AM

Amazing photos! They are so pretty - thanks for the inspiration!

Sylwia Kotlarz says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 05:50 AM

through the window - amazing! extra atmosphere ...

latteaddict says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 12:03 AM

love to visit your blog. Inspirational yet again. Love the b/w one with the vines :)

Michele DeVries says: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 09:31 PM

Gorgeous! I just love visiting your blog to see all the beautiful work you have to share every week. It's inspiring!

mike larson says: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 04:18 AM

sweet post here, I love the vibe of the shoot, the colors and framing you pull off, sweetly wonderful!

ketti says: Saturday, July 10, 2010, 01:29 PM

You're killing me with the pony. I heart it so much!

heather says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 11:34 PM

How fun! I grew up in Gig Harbor and had a pony. What a sweet idea for a fashion session.

jeff denapoli says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 03:00 PM

love this set. great job!

Sarah Danaher says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 02:54 PM

Ooooooooooohhhhh I love them!!

Brandon says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 01:03 PM

Nice work! Love these.

Sid says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 10:35 AM

Amazing! Wow... I loooove it! The 6th shot (B&W) is my favorite. I really like the last one too!

Well, the Allie & pony picture is really good too...okay, shoot, I like 'em ALL! :)

Great job! As always, you inspire!

Katie says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 10:08 AM

Totally love these. Incredible.

Mary says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 10:02 AM

Oh my goodness this is a gorgeous shoot. Makes me want to run outside through a sprinkler. Love the B&W of her and the pony! Definitely my favorite.

mikhail says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 09:59 AM

super photos! great use of the location and wonderfully composed shots!

Briony says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 09:30 AM

these are lovely. the light is gorgeous and the concept is beautiful.

ShariLee says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 09:30 AM

LOVE :)

Patrina says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 09:29 AM

I love everything about this. I'm a nature girl at heart, I love the simple beauty of the location, the styling, the perspective you shoot from, everything.

maile says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 09:22 AM

one of the best sessions EVER. Amazing work Sarah!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:34 AM
Allyson & Bjorn are absolutely fascinating and beautiful people. Their wedding was unique in every sense of the word. The day was characterized with top Hats, fabulous steampunk elements, umbrellas, colorful old hats, corsets, metal flowers, goggles, feathery loverlies and everything old world. I love the unconventional. I love to be fascinated. I love Allyson & Bjorn. These two allowed their adoration for science and romance to shine through their fantastic steampunk inspired wedding. 

Allyson & Bjorns guests came in head to toe victorian steampunk attire. I was drooling. It was a creative infusion of inspiration & romance. Allyson got herself tied into the most insanely tight corset I have ever seen and she now has my eternal womanly respect for wearing that all day! All of Allyson & Bjorn's details were a beautiful mix of steel & copper with an old world charm. This included Allyson's flowers, that were made by an ETSY artist, these flowers were one continuous band of steel bent and molded into the shape of a bouquet. And their wedding rings were the most amazing things I had seen, they were armillary spheres and were able to shape into a full sphere through moving the bands around (there is a photo in this post). 

Allyson & Bjorn are two of the most intelligent, original and witty people that you could ever meet. Allyson is the youngest person I have ever met to have her PHD. These two are insanely gifted. Just having them as clients makes me feel at least ten times more intelligent ;) They are off gallivanting the world right now on their honeymoon in Iceland & the Maldives (I wish I could have fit in their suitcase for that trip!).

Celebrant: Quinn Russell  *who I have to say did an absolutely amazing job! 
Reception/Catering: Sole Repair Shop, Seattle
Photographers: Sarah & Chris Rhoads





Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (46)
Bonnie says: Monday, August 23, 2010, 10:02 AM

Sorry we couldn't make it. It looks like it was absolutely fabulous, just like Allyson herself. I do want to know the name of the song and the artist who sings it -- please?

Anonymous says: Sunday, August 1, 2010, 10:28 AM

I LOVE their wedding rings! They look so fun! Where did they get them?!

Truc says: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 04:50 AM

I've never seen a wedding like this. Amazingly unique. Beautiful images!

Randy Coleman says: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 05:42 AM

Love the people in this wedding!

Lauren says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 08:35 PM

Are you kidding me with these photos??? They are so fabulous!! I bet that wedding was so fun!!

Brandon says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 01:36 PM

A steampunk wedding, very very cool. Never seen anything like it.

Art Donovan says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 12:58 PM

Great shots!!!

La Belle Bride says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 11:19 AM

dear lord. i'm overwhelmed by the coolness. sheer genius.

Sylwia Kotlarz says: Monday, July 12, 2010, 05:53 AM

I am SPEECHLESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 05:40 PM

What an incredible wedding. I'm amazed by the amount of thought and work that has gone into it. The flowers and the cake topper are just divine.

How lucky you were to be able to photograph it. The photos rock!

Anna says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 01:08 PM

what a wedding - too good to be true. perfection and every photographer dream.
pictures rock!

lesley says: Friday, July 9, 2010, 09:10 AM

Oh my goodness, this wedding is just perfect!! And those goggles, where the heck do you find those...they are amazing! :)

Bjorn Townsend says: Thursday, July 8, 2010, 10:02 PM

The bride's dress is by Kambriel (http://www.kambriel.com/) and my suit came from Machete and Sons, who are local to you in Denver (http://www.etsy.com/shop/MacheteNSons).

Denver Wedding PHotographers, JasonG says: Thursday, July 8, 2010, 01:53 PM

Crazy wedding - and yet so very very cool. Where do I get an outfit like any of those?

HannahTaylor says: Thursday, July 8, 2010, 11:45 AM

Wow!

Greg Hoskins says: Thursday, July 8, 2010, 09:26 AM

So unique! Sooooo awesome!!

Kelly Taylor says: Thursday, July 8, 2010, 08:13 AM

These are visually captivating!! Love it!

cody says: Thursday, July 8, 2010, 06:09 AM

amazing! what a wonderful wedding!! great shots as usual!

Laura says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 10:49 PM

These are amazing!

Johnny Zybourne says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 10:04 PM

Steampunk is a lot like love if you think about it.

natalie montgomery says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 08:19 PM

i have no words...

Christine says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 06:20 PM

oh. my. OH MY! what an awesome wedding! love everything about it - especially how original and beautiful their wedding was! you guys did a super amazing job (as per always) with this... especially loving her dress. beautimous.

julie h says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 04:52 PM

these are incredible! Now that's some creativity in a wedding!

Alice G Patterson says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 04:26 PM

Wow, now that is a unique wedding. All of the outfits are so amazing, and the cake topper and rings are awesome! You did a lovely job capturing the quirky meets elegance of this uber fun wedding!

Bjorn Townsend says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 03:36 PM

Hello! The groom in question here - just wanted to say how delighted we are with the photos. The whole experience with Sarah and Chris was wonderful and worth every penny.

We also very much appreciate the kind comments from people reading this blog. If you have questions about something in the photos please feel free to drop me a line via email.

Jesi says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 03:24 PM

Wow! So original! Love them and their style. Of course you captured them beautifully.

jenny b. says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 03:11 PM

Reception at Sole Repair Shop in Captiol Hill. Called it!

Alex says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 01:50 PM

Wow these are so awesome!!! Such a cool theme! Love the details!

Brandi says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 01:23 PM

Love it. All the clothes are SO FABULOUS and so are the details.

Jeff Cohea says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 12:55 PM

The most original wedding idea I've seen in a while! Great stuff!

Lydia says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 12:44 PM

What an amazingly cool wedding! The cake topper made me smile--so perfect for them!

Melina Wallisch says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 12:34 PM

hi sarah. these are beautiful pictures of an amazing wedding. it's refreshing to be inspired by the unique. true artistry!

johnna brynn says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 12:25 PM

Oh. My. Goodness! Incredible! Stunning. Inside and out!

Adam Zodrow says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 12:15 PM

SaRAH! This is incredible. As an Englsih teacher and librarian, I am obsessed with the fingerprint that Steampunk has left on literature and film. It is so great to see it played out in such a tangible way in this wedding. Beautifully shot!

Emma says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 12:14 PM

What an amazing wedding! Love all the details.

Mikkel says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 12:12 PM

That's gotta be one of the coolest cakes I've seen in a while!!

kayleen t. says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 12:10 PM

Wow! I love when people break the rules and stray from tradition to have a totally unique wedding fitted for their personalities... the pictures are awesome and their rings are soo cool!

Beth says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:50 AM

oh my dude! woe! how unique. im just speachless you guys..

AmyPunky Photography says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:47 AM

Simply amazing!!!!

Christina Walker says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:47 AM

Oh! I love this more than I can possibly say! LOVE IT!

Zach Hodgson says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:46 AM

Wow. Beautiful images to compliment a unique wedding concept. Very nice work.

Tonhya Kae says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:43 AM

How fun!! :)

Kristen says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:42 AM

Oh wow! What a unique wedding. I love the way you captured it! Just lovely. What a fun couple :)

Kristine Neeley says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:41 AM

That is unlike anything I have ever seen before. WOW!

Kristen says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:41 AM

Oh wow! What a unique wedding. I love the way you captured it! Just lovely. What a fun couple :)

April says: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 11:40 AM

Neat wedding! It's nice to see something different, not everything pulled off Design*Sponge. :)