Saturday, January 2, 2010, 12:00 PM
I wore my long under-roo's to shoot Kasey & Brad the other day in Tulsa, OK :). It had been snowing all week and there were still big piles of the white powdery-goodness on the ground. I rarely get to shoot with snow so I loved it, but I think by the end of the shoot all of us had bright pink noses and our fingers were a bit numb. There were also several times that Brad rescued me from falling to my death from slipping on ice in my cowboy boots (note to self: cowboy boots; not the wisest choice when shooting in snow/icey conditions). 

I think we all stayed warm by laughing A lot! Kasey & Brad have been together since 8th grade. Which I think is about 10-11 years for them! I'm going to go ahead and put my money on them to perservere through anything life gives them. They are down to earth, thoughtful and love to laugh... three qualities I love and respect. We had a lot of fun cruising around downtown Tulsa to capture these two. And as I was driving off and my fingers were just starting to thaw out snow started falling from the sky. It was beautiful. Perfect ending to a great day. Kasey & Brad we wish you two all the best in the world! xoxo






Thoughts
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Heather Gilson says: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 05:10 PM

I love the warm playful tones in these!This couple looks so sweet!

Ariel Renae says: Monday, January 4, 2010, 11:29 AM

Amazing work, as usual! Your photos both inspire me and challenge me to be the very best photog i can be. thank you for that.

Ariel Renae says: Monday, January 4, 2010, 11:27 AM

beautiful work, as usual. your photos both inspire me and challenge me to be the best photog i can be!!! thank you for that.

Eric says: Sunday, January 3, 2010, 01:49 AM

Once again - your work is very, very impressive Sarah! Wonderful job in this shoot!

Meghan says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 03:53 PM

SOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! you captured my best friend and her man perfectly! the third picture from the end is my favorite! kasey looks gorgeous!

mandiimae says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 03:21 PM

All your photos always look like they should belong in some amazing art gallery. Keep it up. :)

Alexandra says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 02:48 PM

How come your photos are ALWAYS flawless????? I'm jealous :)

Milena Dekic says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 02:15 PM

Wow, I just love this engagement session. The couple are just so darn cute, they really look like love-struck teenagers (which after 10 years is pretty amazing). I also really love the snow. I was born in a rather snowy country, but now live in Australia (not a lot of snow) and I really miss it. Loved seeing the snow and the cuddles and really love your work.

Milena Dekic says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 02:14 PM

Wow, I just love this engagement session. The couple are just so darn cute, they really look like love-struck teenagers (which after 10 years is pretty amazing). I also really love the snow. I was born in a rather snowy country, but now live in Australia (not a lot of snow) and I really miss it. Loved seeing the snow and the cuddles and really love your work.

A huge thank you to each of our amazing clients who made this year spectacular for us! You are the people that allow us to live out our passion. You are the ones who caught the vision behind why we do this and believed in it. You are the ones who had complete faith and trust in us. You are the people who have inspired us and encouraged us and pushed us to be greater. You are the people who trusted us and empowered us. We feel so thankful to each of you, but mostly, we feel humbled. 

We found it INSANELY difficult to do a "Best of 2009" post so instead these are some highlights from the past year. Most of the photos are ones that I personally connected with for one reason or another. But that is the hard part, I felt connected to so many of our images from this year. This post started as 220 images (a ton I know!!) and Chris finally made us narrow it down to more like 30, which I found too difficult to do, so I just let him do the picking and these are just a handful of the highlights of 2009. Looking forward to a fantastic year in 2010. It's going to be a great one, I can just feel it in my bones :)

Happy New Year!












Thoughts
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Heather Gilson says: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 05:14 PM

Wow-what a great collection for 2009! Amazing really. You two are always so busy having fun and making cool art. Thanks for your earlier posts on your favorite business books, I REALLY enjoyed that and went straight to Amazon to order a few. Keep the reviews coming as you plow through more books in 2010!
Thanks again!

angie says: Sunday, January 3, 2010, 10:37 PM

What an amazing year!!!

kristen says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 11:58 PM

Loved every one of these...

Michelle sidles says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 08:23 PM

Happy New Year!!! :) Beautiful images!

arenda says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 03:10 PM

amazing images sarah! my favourite is the one of the guy twirling the girl in the boots around, it's stunning! happy 2010!

Rebecca says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 12:51 PM

what a great year for you :)

Maureen Nikonov says: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 12:21 PM

Only 220, Sarah? :) I could've brought another 220 to your attention that were absolutely out of this world. Good work sneaking those three of you in there, Chris, I loved those shots of you. Can't wait to see what you bring to fruition this year... congrats on all your success and all that is still to come!

imthiaz houseman says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 04:06 PM

stunning work. Happy New Year. we can't wait to see what 2010 brings to the two of you. :)

Emily says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 03:33 PM

Happy New Year Chris and Sarah!
Thank you for being part of our first year of married life! We look forward to more fun dinners and geeking out with you guys :)

chatti says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 02:50 PM

all awesome and really reflected your clients personality and your connection with your clients.

Steve Gerrard says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 02:10 PM

What an amazing year you've had. And we've loved keeping up with you along the way.
Here's to an even more incredible 2010.
Cheers
Steve & Evelyne xx

Alexandra says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 01:13 PM

I'm so in love with your work. Wow.

Jennifer says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 12:46 PM

Love them! He did a good job of picking the best!

Jennifer says: Friday, January 1, 2010, 12:46 PM

Love them! He did a good job of picking the best!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:00 AM
Alex & Doug are free spirited, light hearted, fun loving people whose life is lived fully. They are the type of people that you'd want to travel the world with... and to me, that is saying a lot. They know how to have a good time. Alex & Doug call San Francisco home, but will be having their 2010 wedding in the best city in the world... Seattle ;). Chris and I are so excited to be a part of their big day. They are really a great fit for us and after spending 90 minutes with them on their session, I am already in love with the spirit they bring into this world. 

Doug is a big time surfer... I suppose that explains the hair that is prettier than mine.. all surfer "dudes" seem to have divine hair ;). When Chris and I lived in Hawaii and were surfing frequently a few years back, Chris' hair was almost down to his shoulders and I tell you, he truly had "locks of love." It must come with the territory because it is the only explanation that seems reasonable for guys hair that is that great. ;) And Alex is the snowboarder of the family... She is smart, witty and totally adventurous. They are lovers of life and love to travel. They went down to Costa Rica and Nicaragua to surf and live for a few months... because that is what you do when you love life and want to squeeze every last bit of goodness out of it! I love that kind of abandonment! People like Alex and Doug inspire me. They are kindred spirits and were soo very fun to photograph. 

Now I must get to cooking.... soo much to cook in so little time.. wish me luck, I'm not very domestic as they say. ;)



Thoughts
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Corinna Hoffman says: Friday, January 8, 2010, 09:06 PM

Beautiful couple and great capture of their beauty :)

Jess says: Monday, January 4, 2010, 06:34 PM

What amazing photographs! I can't believe the love of this couple, it was captured so well in these photographs. Beautiful!

wrecklessgirl says: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 05:44 AM

this is the shoot i haven't been able to forget.

Melissa says: Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 03:13 PM

What a gorgeous couple! I love the crazy wind! It made for great shots for you! Your work is stunning!

geneoh says: Friday, November 27, 2009, 07:24 PM

looks like a gap shoot. love it!

bobbi says: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 11:17 PM

Could these two lovebirds be ANY more beautiful?! WOW!!!!!!

Emma Robertson says: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 01:52 PM

Good gosh they are beautiful humans...

Bella Taylor says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 08:40 PM

Wow what a gorgeous couple! I love those lying down shots!!!!

Julie h says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 08:26 PM

they are stinking adorable! and they look so cozy in those threads wrapped around each other. bella.

mindy says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 03:46 PM

I love these photos. The couple looks so relaxed and happy! I love the set with the leaves, what a lovely backdrop.

Kara Wieler says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 12:57 PM

These are fantastic! I love the carefree energy they have! Maybe these two can give me some tips on my trip to Nicaragua this winter. Maybe I'll come back a surfer girl.... only wish I was that athletic! I'll hope for the hair instead, that's more realistic!

Kylie says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 12:26 PM

Love it. Love it. Love it. Have fun in Thailand Rhoadsies!

Jane Hasty says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 12:17 PM

WOW-have I told you your blog is one of my most favorite and so inspirational! Thanks!!!

Candice says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 11:08 AM

what a beautiful couple!!

hope you have an AMAZING trip. i hope you guys are refreshed and inspired from it!!

Casey Figlewicz says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 10:43 AM

Love this shoot! My wife and I need to do something like this. It reminds me of the less crazy life we had before kids:) Thanks!

Justin James says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 10:41 AM

Doug should model. These are great. They are both gorgeous people.

Lesley says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 10:38 AM

This session somehow brought a little tear to my eye. Love them! :)

imthiaz houseman says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 10:24 AM

of course their gorgeous, their from cali. beautiful session. i wish you luck cooking. you may say you are not "domesticated" but i bet you are in your own sarah rhoads way, which is why you are so fabulous.

Gail says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:54 AM

WOW - they are the quintessential Cali couple! I think you need to submit these photos for inclusion in Levis' "O Pioneers" ad campaign (which, can I just say, i LOVEEEEE !!!)

Gorgeous!!!

Dennis Bullock says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:49 AM

So cool Sarah! These captures could be in a product ad!

Chad Morgan says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:33 AM

Some really great moments, some artsy compositions, and some hot peeps. Delicious!

Maureen Nikonov says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:31 AM

This is an absolutely beautiful set. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Chris! Vitaliy and I are very thankful for the two of you.

jess@studio3z says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:20 AM

oh my goodness....hair and eyes GALORE. wonderful session.

neal Carpenter says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:19 AM

Amazing! It looks like a Ralph Lauren ad.

Alexandra says: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:13 AM

Wow :) he has beautiful eyes! Loving these shots :) Great work!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 02:46 PM
It's rare that I meet a couple as cuddly as my husband and I but I believe we have met our match with Courtney and Joey. They are true cuddler's through and through. It is so very sweet. I'm excited to post this shoot because I want everyone to know just how unbelievably beautiful it is in Seattle right now. All of the colors, the reds, yellows and oranges. The leaves are almost all on the ground now. The leaves have piled along the sides of the roads like snow does after a plow has come through. It is magical. 

I hit it off with these two immediately. They are my kind of people. Up for an adventure, lover's of life, playful, funny, down to earth & authentic. They love vino... we love vino. It's pretty much a match made in heaven. I've decided that these two are destined to be our new couple friends :) 

In other news, I have been thinking a lot about exploration and what that means for us as creatives. I feel like without that one skill, "to explore", I would personally be completely void of any inspiring thought and completely mediocre as an artist. I don't even know if we can rightfully call ourselves artists if we have forgotten what it means to explore. I would dare to say that for anyone in a creative field, exploration is just as important as breathing. Exploring both internally and externally. Digging deep within us to explore what it is we are put here to communicate to the world... in an effort to know ourselves deeper and with more clarity... to explore the things that scare us....to explore the things that excite us and then ask why. And also exploring externally, and asking ourselves questions about why the world is the way it is, exploring the things that inspire us. Asking the tough questions. Exploration is so important.. I have been exploring a lot of things about myself recently... I am glad for that. Exploration makes me better not only as a photographer & a creative but as a person.  I loved this quote by T.S. Elliot "We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time." Beautiful. just beautiful.




Thoughts
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Meaghan Cook says: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 12:58 AM

So good it hurts.

ben + laura says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 07:16 AM

these are happy photos :)

benj haisch says: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 10:32 AM

woah. totally know those kids.

Courtney & Joey says: Friday, November 6, 2009, 09:32 PM

Sarah - We LOVE the photos..! You made us look good, ha! :-) Thank you so much - you are so creative and talented!!!

Emily Beaty says: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 12:20 PM

How FUN!!! I LOVE these. :)

Charmi says: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 12:06 PM

these pictures are incredible! i love the first one especially with all the leaves. and her outfits are SO cute!

Liz says: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 08:19 AM

Beautiful fall colours.

johnwaire | photo says: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 06:15 AM

...can't help but smile when looking at that last image!

Romin Lee Johnson says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 09:59 PM

Your T.S. Eliot quote reminds me of 'The Alchemist.' It is always a pleasure to stop by your site and see what you guys have been up to. Hope we bump into you guys sooner or later.

kylie says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 08:23 PM

That first image in just perfect! It looks like you are selling something, and whatever it is, I am buying it!

KIM+PHIL says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 07:46 PM

Your guys' couples sessions are always freaking amazing. The emotions are just so natural and make you feel that these 2 people are so connected to each other.

josh solar says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 06:38 PM

ahhhh. you and your beautiful pictures. love this session. i can really see the connection these 2 have in these images. refreshing.

Jane Hasty says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 05:50 PM

Just gorgeous and oh so sweet!

Savannah says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 04:33 PM

THIS IS SO ADORABLE AMAZING

Lesley says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 04:17 PM

Oh my! These two are just too darn cute! :D

Harmony ♥'s says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:49 PM

My favorite by far. I LOVE the fun and playfulness. LOVE!

Christine says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:47 PM

Love this session... they are so beautiful and the colors just jump off the page!!! :) Awesome!

paula Leme says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:20 PM

i love it! what a great looking couple :)

mary says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:16 PM

ooooo!!!! she's got great hair! they have great style! great locations! uber amazing photogs! phil and i shouldve done a shoot when we were in seattle!!!

angie says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:16 PM

Oh can you please send Fall this way! Phoenix doesn't have a fall, winter, or spring. Just a summer. I love the colors and the trees! I love this cute couple playing together in the leaves:)

jamie delaine says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:12 PM

oh how i love this.

Bianca Valentim says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:11 PM

you rocked again!!!!
... as usual...
so nice to came here!

Alexandra says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:08 PM

Loving these!

Gail says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:06 PM

Beautiful! I LOVE her red hair! And all the hats...and those LEAVES!

Adam says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 03:03 PM

Very cool shoot, they look very happy. It seems like you captured exactly what they would have wanted, best thing a photographer can do.

Heather Kincaid says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 02:57 PM

Gorgeous! Wish we had Falls like that in SoCal.

Troy Grover says: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 02:56 PM

Oh fun. I love fall :)