Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 09:29 AM
Last week we headed down the coast a bit to photograph Clarissa & James. The California light at sunset is really un-matched by any light that I have experienced. It was, in all the most technical terms, "yummy goodness." Clarissa said she has always loved the yellow fields in the spring so we went on a quest to find some. These two are head over heels in love with one another. They both have an absolute passion for kids, and are both highly involved in education on a variety of levels. James is a principal at a middle school and Clarissa tutors kids of all ages. They light up when they talk about what they do... these two are living out their passions on a daily basis and that is exciting to see in people. 

I am in the process of prepping some personal/business related blog posts for the coming months, I have had some requests for posts on an updated list of my top biz related books and a couple of other dear abby requests. However, I would love to hear if any one else has some other topics they would like to hear about. If so, leave it in the comment section of this post.  We are headed to the sunny desert of Arizona tomorrow for a wedding this weekend and we are really excited to soak up the sun. We'll be in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. I've never been to AZ. If you have any favorite spots for eating, drinking and being merry please share the love!


Thoughts
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Chris says: Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 05:38 AM

I'm subscribed to your blog via RSS, so I normally just look down the photos there.

These ones forced me to come to the site to say how beautiful they are.

Perfect light, if only you could figure out how to bottle it up you'd be millionaires!

Kaethe Richter says: Thursday, April 28, 2011, 09:22 PM

que beautiful!

Jennifer says: Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 12:04 PM

Love this set! The light is gorgeous!

Mikaela says: Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 09:07 AM

love those two black and whites! so cute!

Ashley says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 07:29 PM

Cartel Coffee Lab in Tempe (amazing fresher than fresh coffee) Mill Avenue in Tempe (for dining, shopping, night life, people watching). The Big Bang (dueling pianos bar on Mill)!! =)

jeff ambrose says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 04:15 PM

you have to hit up gallo blanco. have. to. and if you need a third this weekend give me a ring. :)

Andrew Cahill says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 04:09 PM

Wonderful capture...that light really is yummy, makes you feel all warm and gooey inside. Clarissa & James look like such a beautiful couple. Just beautiful.

Annie says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 03:44 PM

That light! You're right, no other words for it - yu-MMY! :)

Meredith Amadee says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 01:30 PM

The Sugar Bowl is a wonderful, cute little desert place in Scottsdale with lots of character.

chriStina e says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 01:04 PM

I would love to hear about how you got organized and created a sustainable work-flow, once you started getting busy with clients(in the beginning)... I am seeing how I could easily get over-whelmed, if I don't create a system soon!

I am envious of any photos with golden light! We haven't had much of it this year... Just waiting for my turn.

These photos are great!

Caryn Azure says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 11:41 AM

Beautiful series! The first one is my favorite - love the light, and their expressions are so sweet :)

Stephanie says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 10:28 AM

Lived in the PHX area for the past two+ years, but recently moved back to NC. Old Town Scottsdale is always a popular stop for your 1st visit.. bars/restaurants, etc. If you have the time I'd also highly recommend taking a drive up to Sedona, soo gorgeous. Big red rocks and an artsy little town... and weather is always about 20 degrees cooler :)

I'll be there as well this weekend to shoot a wedding.. if I see you guys around town I'll have to say hello and introduce myself. Should be a perfect weekend weather-wise! Enjoy AZ!

Kelsey says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 10:25 AM

Without fail I always recommend Lux Coffee and Pane Bianco. Lux is undeniably the best coffee found in Phoenix and has a great sandwich shop located right next door.

I hope you both love your time spent in Arizona, I know I miss it terribly.

Anda says: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 09:47 AM

AZ is my favorite place in the world, I think. Except Phoenix. So it's beyond worth it to drive the couple hours to Tucson, or even farther, to Bisbee. The drive is a destination in itself. Otherwise, north to Sedona. Gorgeous. I'm so jealous. I want to live there!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:20 AM
Olita & Steve are so thoughtful, sweet, smart and absolutely full of joy. Olita is a striking beauty. Steve is so smart, driven and the way he looks at Olita will make your heart melt. My cheeks hurt after my time with them... It felt good to have my cheeks hurt like that. Their session reminded me of exactly what I love about clicking the shutter. Steve and Olita let their guard down with me, showed me who they really are without reservation. Those are the kind of people I love to make magic with. These two ebb kindness and it rubs off on everyone they come into contact with, we feel fortunate to have them in our little "Sarah Rhoads Family." :)

Olita had her hair & makeup done for the session by Tiffany Lowry who somehow managed to make one of the prettiest girls in the land even more gorgeous (a task which seems close to impossible). I had such a fun afternoon hanging out around Ballard and going to the beach with these two. They are an absolute delight to be around. We cannot wait to share their big day with them this summer! 



Thoughts
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kathleen says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 08:13 PM

Such beautiful photos! The joy that radiates from all of these images (the third one in particular) is really lovely... they look like an awesome couple.

Erika Peterson says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 08:13 AM

Olita is gorgeous! And so are these pictures :) Well done!

Schantel {kiekiephoto} says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 06:18 AM

I love your work! This shoot is so cute!

Annie says: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 12:35 AM

Such sweetness. Beautiful :)

Spencer Combs says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 10:48 PM

So GREAT! You guys always kill it! That bird shot on the rocks is the money!

Kathryn Bradley says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 06:04 PM

Sarah, these are sooooo wonderful! Olita and Steve are such beautiful people in every sense of the word and you captured them perfectly. Can't wait for their wedding!

Matt Teague says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 03:54 PM

Love the raw emotion you have captured in these images, such a cute couple! Everyone of your shoots tells a story from start to end, this is no exception.
SMILES =]

Olita says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 03:25 PM

Love love love these images, Sarah! And I can remember exactly what we were talking/laughing about in every one. Thank you! XO

Jenn Stark says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 03:06 PM

These are amazing Sarah & Chris. They look like such a cute and fun couple! xo

Tif says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 02:22 PM

They Make me Love love more then I loved love:)!!- Just breathtaking- SR-Really:)

Rich Park says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 11:30 AM

shots are beautiful and classy just like this couple!

Danica says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 11:04 AM

just darling!! it's so great to have a job where you get to meet such lovely friends! really touching work :)

Holly says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:59 AM

wonderful interaction with your couple!! LOVELY!

chriStina e says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:49 AM

That last one is really cute.

anda says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:42 AM

all the ones on the beach .... pure gorgeousness. man i miss the pnw.

Rensche Mari says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:36 AM

these are absolutely lovely! You captured them beautifully.

Christopher says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:27 AM

Awesome job! I like reading your blogs and how you really get to know your clients. You guys rock!

Erin says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:27 AM

Love as always!!
Your work is soooo inspiring!!

Christopher says: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 09:27 AM

Awesome job! I like reading your blogs and how you really get to know your clients. You guys rock!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 12:35 PM
We're back from Hawaii and thrown back into the whirlwind of it all! The snow on the ground in these photos should give you a peek into how chilly this Seattle winter has been so it was nice to get a little break from the cold and feel the sun on our arms for a bit in the Hawaii heat for a couple of days while we shot Julie & Andy's wedding. But I must say, there is something so wonderful about coming home to Seattle. It never gets old no matter how amazing the place is that we travel to I love flying into Sea-Tac, hoping in our little prius and sleeping in our own bed. I'm also a little cat-obsessed, so we both miss our sweet kitty when we leave town for any amount of time. If this is any testament to how I will feel about leaving my kids one day, then we are in serious trouble :) 

Anyhow, meet the fantastic Kristie & John. They are sweet as pie. These two make each other laugh easily and have so much fun together. These two were troopers on their engagement session. It was so chilly outside! Luckily Kristie is the woman with many fabulous coats! Kristie & John were refereed to us by Jesse & Travis of True Colors Events and we are so excited for their wedding this summer. They have hired a fantastic team to surround them on their special day and we feel honored to be a part! 

Thoughts
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tahiti says: Thursday, March 10, 2011, 11:38 AM

the last image is so golden... the moss.... the snow.... gahhh

Annie says: Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 02:44 PM

She really does have fabulous coats! :) I love the colour against the snow. Really really love these! :)

Rich Park says: Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 02:08 PM

you guys do such an amazing job capturing people's genuine love and joy. these photos are ALL amazing!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 12:43 PM
Galen & Jeff are like eating a yummy perfectly sweet biscotti on a Sunday morning. They are delightfully charming together and they make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside just by being around them. These two have been together for years (I think it's maybe been 8 years together if my memory isn't failing me) so they are pushing a decade with one another, and they are still madly in love. I'm sure it's pretty safe to say their love withstands the great test of time.

One of my favorite things about their story is that Jeff proposed to Galen on top of a mountain in Switzerland! I mean talk about pulling out all the stops. That is just the type of guy Jeff is. I don't know too many girls who have a proposal quite like that.

These two came in from the east coast for their session in Seattle. We had a beautifully sunny morning and headed to Volunteer park in Capitol hill. Meeting them in person just felt like hanging out with two friends I have known for forever. We're so stoked for their wedding this summer, I know it is going to be a blast. 

Happy Wednesday and enjoy some Galen & Jeff Goodness!
Galens hair and makeup is compliments of the fabulous Miss Tiffany Lowry


Thoughts
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julie fitts says: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 03:25 PM

small world. Galen's cousin made the cupcakes for our wedding in Hawaii! :) love how that happens.

Kristin says: Monday, March 7, 2011, 01:45 PM

Beautiful photos! And funny small world incident...I made the cupcakes for Julie & Andy's wedding on the Big Island this past weekend. Looking forward to meeting you in August at my beautiful cousin Galen's wedding :)

jasonGina Photographers says: Monday, March 7, 2011, 12:59 PM

Sarah... your ability to capture your clients - authentic - emotions is amazing. Great work.

McKenzie Powell Designs says: Monday, March 7, 2011, 07:46 AM

Galen and Jeff... I love these! So gorgeous! I'm thrilled to be a part of your wedding day. It will be gorgeous. And so excited that Sarah will be shooting it all!

Cole says: Saturday, March 5, 2011, 07:48 AM

I love your black and whites! It's amazing how you reinvented it. Thanks for inspiring, Sarah!

Spencer Combs says: Friday, March 4, 2011, 09:15 AM

I am seriously LOVING these pictures! Awesome job!!

Sarah Danaher says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 08:08 PM

oh, goodness. so very lovely.

Annie says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 03:01 PM

Ooh I like her pretty pretty hair! Tiffany is amazing! :) And these photos are gorgeous!

Claire (Galen's sister and MOH) says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 02:36 PM

These photos are excellent and absolutely stunning! Good work! Can't wait to see pictures after the wedding in August :)

Galen says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 01:43 PM

Sarah, you are absolutely incredible. Just thought you should know :)

Rich Park says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 01:37 PM

the story and the photos go hand in hand - both absolutely beautiful!

Desiree says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 01:16 PM

'Yummy biscotti'..........the way you describe people and their traits makes me smile. seriously amazing.

Brianne says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 01:02 PM

I love how you can make anyone have a buttery bright complexion. Lovely.

Brianne says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 01:02 PM

I love how you can make anyone have a buttery bright complexion. Lovely.

Chelsea Patricia says: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 12:55 PM

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

I hate you :)