Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 04:51 PM
Stephanie & Kylan have insane chemistry. The crazy thing about these two is they met all the way back in middle school!! But they didn't let the 'love sparks' fly until college when they ended up on the same campus. It's always a crazy thought to think that they were sitting right in front of the person they would spend the rest of their lives with for most of their middle school and high school careers and never knew it... timing and fate are funny little things. Stephanie & Kylan are absolutely, one-hundred percent perfect for one another. No doubt. They are quirky, fun-loving, cultured, light-hearted and just straight up amazing. When I first met these two I knew that I wanted these fantastic people in my life in one form or fashion.  

Chris and I feel so blessed to have Stephanie and Kylan as one of our couples. They are the type of people who enrich your life. They laugh harder than most and their love for one another is a natural outpouring of the deep affection that lies within each of them. Stephanie & Kylan let us peek into parts of their heart on this session, they trusted us and let their guards down making it quite a magical experience to capture them. I am a very emotional shooter... when a couple lets me into those sweet moments I get a little lost in it. I felt like I was in an amazing little "photo-daze" for most of this shoot, the place where creating comes without thinking and the shutter snaps not because I am telling it to, but rather, because my heart is so tangled up in what is happening before me that it can't help but shoot. Perhaps that sounds a little crazy but it is like a high for me. I felt high for the majority of this session :) In the best way possible. Stephanie and Kylan seem to have that affect on people. 



Thoughts
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Eric McKenna says: Friday, August 28, 2009, 11:44 PM

wonderful work - as usual. such a great group of pictures of a wonderful couple! congrats!

Sarah says: Friday, August 28, 2009, 11:51 AM

Great pictures

Christine says: Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 07:28 PM

Pure awesomeness. Great shots, stunning couple!! :)

Chelsea McGowan says: Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 02:01 PM

That last shot is MONEY. So so money.
They're all beautiful, as usual. I don't recall ever seeing an image from you that wasn't outstanding.
But THAT one?
That one made me catch my breath and call my hubby into the room and remind him that THESE kind of images are why we do what we do.
Congratulations!

Julie says: Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 01:06 PM

Gorgeous images! The couple looks like they laugh together all the time...pure happiness.

melissa says: Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 07:09 AM

UGH! Sarah! Your work is always so amazing! I love everything you do, you are truly an inspiration!

Anne Whirledge-Karp says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 11:40 PM

These are stunning photos! They've caught the amazing love Kylan and Stephanie have for each other, their zany humor and thoughtful tenderness. I especially love the portrait in the mirror, their images in front of the store fronts and the images and colors blending with the grasses and fence. Thank you for capturing this very special relationship with your photos!

LisaK says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 10:28 PM

Your photos are always such a delight. I love these! Honestly, you are such an inspiration...do you ever get sick of hearing that! ; )

Jamie Robertson says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 09:52 PM

Wow.Amazing pictures. A big Awwwwwwwww! (And last but not least is the guy in this picture a former model?)

Kylan says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 09:46 PM

Sarah & Chris-
Stephanie & I are so happy with your photos! We love all of them and can't wait to see the rest...Thank you both so much for such a wonderful afternoon!
-K

John Huson says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 09:00 PM

Sarah & Chris, I have never commented before...my first time! But I just wanted to say that these photos are great! Your photos are always great. I like them because your photos seem to slow and stop time...you capture tiny moments so well and the color is just awesome!! I met you guys earlier this year at that PUG meeting. Keep up the good work. I've added you to my BLOG reader under the "inspiration" title. :)

Sarah-Jane says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 08:20 PM

These are superb! You guys are a great inspiration. Always capture the 'moment' and emotions pouring into each image x

Briony says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 07:11 PM

oh man this has to be one of my favorites i've seen in awhile! beautiful beautiful beautiful!

kelli trontell says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 07:03 PM

stop.
this is amazing.
as always.
looove it.
xo

jamie delaine says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 06:35 PM

:) :) :) Your blog makes me smile. you make me smile. Those last two: ahhhh I want to hug someone!

Bianca Valentim says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 06:33 PM

I'm speech less!
:)
:)

scott neumyer says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 06:28 PM

pure awesomeness. LOVE the water shots

Kristin Anne says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 05:38 PM

I just love your images when a couple in tangled up in one another's arms with their eyes closed. Such a real moment caught on camera. Nice work Sarah! Always!

Morgan Trinker says: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 05:36 PM

Oh my goooodness, I can understand why you were in photography wonderland with these two! What a gorgeous couple, gorgeous colors, gorgeous settings, and STUNNING emotions captured. Brilliant. These truly express the sheer joy of photographing a couple head over heels in love. Thanks for sharing!

Monday, August 10, 2009, 03:20 PM
Anna & Jose are total cuties, they have genuine hearts to help others; it is one of my very favorite qualities about them. Anna is a counselor and Jose is a financial advisor and they both rock at what they do. I think that mostly has to do with the fact that they love people :) 

Their shoot was on an absolutely perfect Seattle evening. It was one of those days I had to pinch myself as a reminder that this is really my life. This has been a month that has brought me back to the heart of thanksgiving in a lot of ways. Reminding myself that I really don't deserve any of the goodness that I am surrounded with everyday. Reminding myself that life is so precious and that our time here is so limited. It has made me think a lot about my husband and the fact that I get to do what I love for a living. 

The other day I was at the chiropractors office filling out some paperwork, there was a line that asked for my occupation, a simple task that I have done countless times, however, for some reason on this day, as I wrote out 'photographer' my heart welled up. Welled up because so many people end up writing something in that line that they don't want to write, they write something that they never thought they would be, they write something with the hope of... "one day". I have been there before too. But today, I had the privilege and blessing or writing "photographer" in that line. A simple task that goes much deeper than the pen meeting the paper. It is about that "one day," becoming "today" for me. I am completely and totally humbled. I am truly thankful from the deepest parts of my heart that I am able to live out my passion and so thankful for my sweet couples who allow me to share that with them. So Anna & Jose, thank you... truly... for allowing me to sing in a voice that is distinctly mine and allowing me to share my passion with the world through you :)


Thoughts
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erica says: Monday, February 1, 2010, 08:36 AM

wow. i really love this engagement shoot. really, really, really.

Laura Miller says: Friday, August 21, 2009, 08:56 AM

I love these photographs...even if I didn't know you I would love these photographs...the last one is especially sweet...

Seven Dunsmore says: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 12:37 PM

These are beautifully-rendered photos. Anna, you look like a model! My favorites are third to the last and the last shot....

Krissy Gochnour says: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 12:07 PM

I have goosebumps right now! These are absolutely breathtaking! Anna and Jose are such beautiful people and they truly radiate in every photo.

Kim Mummert says: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 02:12 AM

Sarah, knowing both of these terrific young adults you have truly brought the love and passion for life that these two have for each other and their family and friends. What a special day in January it will be. What wonderful photographs that they will share forever.

liam hennessey says: Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 11:36 AM

cripes! you inspire me in ridiculous ways. thanks for sharing.
l.

Anna Downey says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 07:15 PM

Words can not begin to express the gift you have given to Jose and I in these images and I thank you for that! We knew from the minute we met you that you were going to be able to capture us in a way that is unique, artistic, and real! Our lives get so busy sometimes that we rarely take a chance to stop and truly appreciate what we have and who we have chosen to share our lives with; thank you for providing me with that chance! You Rock, Sarah Rhoads!!!:)

imthiaz houseman says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 06:03 PM

what a great series!

Anonymous says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 05:20 PM

These are such beautiful pictures! Hands down...these are the prettiest engagement pictures I have ever seen and the photos capture how lovely Jose and Anna are together. I look forward to meeting you.
Grace

Marissa Rodriguez says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 03:46 PM

Beautiful! Seriously, I'm so glad that I found your blog. (I think that I might have already said that in a comment before) but really, your work is truly inspiring.

Caitlin Sullivan says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 03:15 PM

You guys are such an inspiration to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you :)

kelly beane says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 12:01 PM

that teal railing, her dress and the lights are perfection! beautiful session!!

patsy Aguilar says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 09:35 AM

Chris & Sarah, your pictures are beautiful. May God bless you always .Congratulations

Heather Kincaid says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 08:57 AM

I was just up in Seattle for the first time and had a great time! I love the faraway shot at Olympic Sculpture Park... love the mix of nature and industrial. So beautiful, as always. :)

paul romero says: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 08:00 AM

Great post. Love the way you use your surroundings and architecture.

mary says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 10:50 PM

Wowweee Wow Wa...what a beautiful couple adorned with gorgeous images. I love the life, love and sweet tenderness that you capture consistently. I envision photography as individual images on a gallery wall and I could honestly see every image you take on that gallery wall..with crowds of people standing back admiring your work and suddenly grabbing the hand of the person they are with and being so thankful to have them in their lifes and walk away smiling while taking a second look back at the wall. Haha that might not make any sense but that is pretty much what I do everytime I look at your blog. I look the images atleast 3 times (and there are only a handful of photographers that really make me react that way) I look at Scott and feel blessed. I feel honored..just like I know all of your couples do.. to be on your gallery wall.

Jenny GG says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 07:36 PM

sarah, you know that i love your work already, but i have to say that your commentary about 'occupation', etc...literally made me well up. i am so grateful for my ability to do this and to provide for my family with photography. i feel like i can never articulate my appreciation. you said it perfectly. perfectly.

Kayleen T. says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 06:32 PM

Wow another beautiful session! I love the first one with all the windows and totally feel you on the last part! I'm soo grateful to be doing something I love so much and to have talented photogs like yourself as inspiration!

Anna Thomas says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 06:14 PM

Your amazing. My niece Anna is so beautiful in these shots and Jose's guiet strenght is so captured. from one photographer to another great jobT

Randy says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 04:56 PM

Wow! So many great locations!!! The photos look great.

Maureen says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 04:47 PM

Ditto to all of the below! Hanging out with you last week transformed a crappy week into a great one. Your positivity and personality are so infectious...thank you for your uplifting words and reminder to be more thankful and grateful for everything we have. You and Chris certainly deserve everything wonderful that comes your way and then some, Sarah! We are the ones who are blessed because of you two!

Sarah Hansen says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 04:36 PM

Sarah,

You are amazing, I love following your work! Thank you this day so much for the words you shared with your beautiful images. It is a good day to give thanks for being able to what we love!

Sarah

Chad Hansen says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 04:33 PM

Holy sarah rhoads. What a beautiful post. I love so much that you bring more than just images to your blog. Thank you for being open enough to share your thoughts. Your images are always amazing. They make me see the world differently. But it's your thoughts that change how I think & feel. Thank you.

josh solar says: Monday, August 10, 2009, 04:24 PM

ok, ok, thanks so much for the little reminder of how awesome it is to do what we do for a living. I know that I LOVE this, but sometimes you just get down, and reading your words, in this moment, totally brought me back to life so to speak...so THANK YOU :)

Friday, July 17, 2009, 11:22 AM
I am so stoked for Param & Kevin's big day!! It is just around the corner.
It's funny, my job is really a great testimony of how much time is flying before my eyes. I met Kevin & Param almost one year ago to the month. Which is just crazy to me. Time passes so quickly. It reminds me of just how important it is that I make the most of it. 

When I met these two they were living in New York. They just moved back to Seattle a little over a month ago because they couldn't keep themselves away from the best city in all the earth ;) (yes I know I'm biased). But really, who can blame them?? So it was great to re-connect with them and run around on an absolutely gorgeous Seattle evening for their engagement session. We even got to see a sailboat parade. It was perfect. I love my job! I know I say that all the time but I wake up every morning feeling blessed beyond belief that I get to work with fantastic people who are madly in love and I have the honor of capturing them during this sweet season of life. I feel deeply thankful for that. 

Chris and I are headed to Lake Chelan here in a couple of hours for a wedding we have there this weekend. I have never been but I hear it is just a fantastic little place. Enjoy the weekend everyone.



Thoughts
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Thiloshini Schmidt says: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 04:03 PM

Dear Param & Kevin,

These photoes truly capture your love in a beautiful light. These shots are sooo ROMANTIC!!!! You guys could be in a commercial for a fragrance :)

Love, Tosh xoxo

j. shipley says: Monday, July 27, 2009, 11:54 PM

geesh. you never cease to amaze me :) love this session. yup. i do...

Beth says: Thursday, July 23, 2009, 02:19 PM

So beautiful! You rocked the light!

Ben Blood says: Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 12:54 AM

I would buy a print of those sailboats. snap! nice work as always =)

MImi says: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 09:58 PM

Sarah, these are gorgeous! And so fun, as usual! Can you believe we were in Chelan at the same time last weekend! How funny! See ya soon. :)

Mrinabh says: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 10:40 AM

The 'feel' of perspective in the staircase shots is amazing! I love those straight lines wrapping around the subjects - very modern!

Jonathan says: Monday, July 20, 2009, 04:45 PM

I'm always a fan of shadows over people like your second to last.

imthiaz houseman says: Monday, July 20, 2009, 03:54 PM

oh, how beautiful. i miss Seattle. one of these days sarah and chris we will need to hook up while we (the houseman's) are in Seattle.

Kristen Leigh says: Monday, July 20, 2009, 08:45 AM

I want to put you in my pocket and take you around the world with me. And we can sing together! "ShoOock me like anelectricfield." You are wonderful, lady :D

CReid says: Sunday, July 19, 2009, 08:23 PM

Great images...my favourtite image is the first pic where the couple are in between the copper backdrop.

Chad Morgan says: Sunday, July 19, 2009, 01:34 PM

Some great movement, and some great moments in the shots. Nice!

jesse and whit says: Saturday, July 18, 2009, 08:50 AM

so perfect. so pretty. you rocked it againnnnnnnnnnn! xo

Candice says: Saturday, July 18, 2009, 05:13 AM

Sarah- Wow! Your work is beautiful! I found you through Promise's blog...looks like I have another photog to add to the blog obsession-haha!

Heather says: Saturday, July 18, 2009, 12:26 AM

Jon and I just spent a BEAUTIFUL evening at the sculpture park this week, it's really fun to see your point of view in these images. Just beautiful light! Enjoy Chelan, I love it there! I highly recommend the mini golf on the real grass! And yes you very lucky and but more importantly very talented!

Jacquelynn Brynn says: Friday, July 17, 2009, 10:47 PM

Welcome to Chelan- holler if you want to go swimming before your wedding- It's gonna be a hot weekend for weddings! ;)

Bianca Valentim says: Friday, July 17, 2009, 04:09 PM

beautiful session!
I love the colors and the location!
the one with the tree shade is my favorite!
:)
Have a great weekend!

Lindsey Joy says: Friday, July 17, 2009, 01:31 PM

ahhh, that last kissing shot with the sun flare behind him.... epic, stunning... LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

megan russell says: Friday, July 17, 2009, 12:32 PM

ummm, wow wow wow. these rock. love your eye.

katie says: Friday, July 17, 2009, 11:56 AM

you will LOVE Chelan! I love the last 4 pics of this couple! Have a great weekend! -- Katie

katie says: Friday, July 17, 2009, 11:55 AM

you will LOVE Chelan! I love these last 4 of this couple! beautiful! have a great weekend!

mary says: Friday, July 17, 2009, 11:45 AM

you frickin' blow my mind with your genius brain! those stair shots... well you know. beyond rad. :)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 11:08 PM
Chris & Lisa make me happy. Straight up happy. Chris is the life-of-the-party-make-everyone-laugh type who has arms that are as big around as my legs! lol. Lisa is the biggest sweetheart you could meet and is a petite little thing. She has a fantastic sense of personal style and I think she is just drop dead gorgeous :) They love each other to pieces. It's cute as heck. We had a blast running around Fremont for their engagement session a couple weeks ago.

On a more personal note, we are in the thick of wedding season and things at the Rhoads-casa are gettin' a little crazy! It is a really good thing that I am a person that thrives on crazy.... it's kind of my middle name :) One thing that is total therapy for Chris and I when we are working really long days and need to give our minds a rest and kick it, is movies. We love good movies. And we love good television series like Lost, Arrested Development, Battlestar Galactica (yes I admit it!), & pretty much anything that J.J. Abrams has his hand in usually right up our alley. We saw the new Star Trek recently and it was mind-blowing good. and I'm not even a "treky." JJ has an amazing way of relating to his audiences.
One movie that I am totally stoked to see when it comes out is 500 Days of Summer with the lovely actress miss Zooey. Chris probably wont want to come with me to that one... any lady takers? ;) 

Anyway, when your feeling like you need a breather try escaping with a good flick. It works every time....
oh and if you have any good rec's I'd love to hear!



Thoughts
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imthiaz houseman says: Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 08:35 AM

love this series...ha, anything JJ does is great! :)

Beth Armsheimer says: Friday, July 10, 2009, 03:48 PM

Awesome! they will love these to pieces!

sarahrhoads says: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 04:35 PM

@galaxie that is soooo one of the movies I want to see soon!!
@lisa you are lovely and so is your man! I am so glad you two love the images :)

Chelsea McGowan says: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 11:52 AM

AHHH!!! They're the prettiest people! I mean, you always do great work... but isn't it easier when the clients are so gorgeous? ;)

Lisa says: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 11:30 AM

Sarah, we are so in love with these pictures! Thank you so much. They are amazing.

Kate says: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 10:52 AM

love the colorful grass and the bike shot. adorable couple.

Arrested Development = love

I can't wait to see 500 Days of Summer- Zooey makes my heart smile. Yeah, and the husband isn't so excited about it either...

Julie h says: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 11:13 PM

These two are adorable together!! Especially love the colorful park shot. I second the "Away We Go" movie rec. Although it looks a little crude, Bruno looks pretty heeee-larious!

Galaxie Andrews says: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 07:58 PM

@SarahRhoads have you seen Away We Go yet? If not i think you guys might like it. Check out the preview :) toodles!

Jamie says: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 05:37 PM

I am just starting out in photography and I am always inspired when I come to your blog!!! Amazing and such personal work!

sarahrhoads says: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 02:38 PM

@sarahbrown you gotta love a girl who loves her some Battlestar!! So glad there are some other fans out there!

Kimberly Sanderson says: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 07:33 AM

Gorgeous as usual! My favorite is the first one. I am still loving your post processing.
~Kimberly

Sarah says: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 07:00 AM

Hey Sarah! I subscribe to your blog via RSS (read: stalk!) and just when I thought I couldn't love you any more, you had to go and be a Battlestar fan. My kind of girl!

Briony says: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 06:09 AM

these are fantastic....the fourth on in is totally canvas material.

if i didn't live in the mitten i would totally hit up that movie with ya. i am a mega movie lover.

Christine Melenhorst says: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 05:09 AM

If I wasn't in the East I would come with you to the movie!! I can't wait either!!

Fantastic shots!!