Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 08:00 AM
Karen and Zac are as down to earth as it gets. As a teacher and a youth pastor these two are constantly putting others before themselves and have built a life around serving people. I respect and admire them a great deal. These two are world changers. I was so excited to photograph these two because we have known them for about six years now.... before the "married life" years for both of us when all of us were just younglings walking around wide eyed and bushy tailed, head-over-heels in college romance :). It's so beautiful to see how the four of us have grown and how our relationships have matured as we have fallen deeper in love with our better halves. I'm really excited for the people that Karen and Zac are and about the amazing people they are becoming. I just adore them. 

There is no greater feeling for me than to capture someone you know and love. It is a different kind of challenge from photographing a complete stranger. There is a certain responsibility associated... a responsibility to allow those small and beautiful parts of a person manifest themselves. Karen and Zac are very deep, spiritual, playful and selfless...I hope that these images can communicate that strength and depth that I see in them :)

So without further adieu, Karen and Zac! p.s.-you two should move to Seattle...it loves you a lot.



Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (16)
phebe ha says: Friday, April 9, 2010, 05:43 PM

beautiful couple.
beautiful photographs.
beautiful friendship that you have with them.
May the four of you continue to serve God beautifully!
=)

mikhail says: Friday, March 26, 2010, 10:17 PM

lovely photos!

Josh Thomson says: Friday, March 26, 2010, 10:39 AM

Love the pipe and books incorporated here. You got some great pics!

HannahTaylor says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:36 PM

Love, love, love!! My favs are the first two definitely! Those blossoms are just gah! And them in the tree - amazing! I also adore the one of him taking a picture of her. Wonderful!

Michael Wachniak says: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 08:51 AM

I love these! The richness, the connection, the sincerity, everything! I always read your blog though google reader and therefore never leave a comment, yet I leave inspired every single time. Your post today ('World of Possibility') convinced me to hike over to your blog and leave a comment to tell you guys how much I appreciate your work and your peopleness. Yes, I just invented that word. Thats how awesome you make me feel. :)

P.S. Karen + Zac: I second the motion for moving to Seattle. All those opposed? There, its settled... now, where's my gavel? :)

Feuza says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 11:38 PM

love the cherry blossons and pipe, what a strange combo but me likes it

alison says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 10:40 PM

L O V E the cherry blossoms! x

alison Owen says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 10:39 PM

L O V E the cherry blossoms! x

Darby Cahill says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 06:03 PM

I loveeeeeeee the plaid and everything about these pics!

Christine says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 05:24 PM

absolutely gorgeous, guys!! i can totally see their connection and your connection to them... these are beautifully captured. xoxo

Kevin Wrenn says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 04:05 PM

I love that your client is rockin' the Hassey! Nice touch guys. Also, love the second to the last shot with the book and the shot of the boots. Beautiful!

Chelsea Patricia says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 09:21 AM

Just beautiful.

Kris Boevers says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 09:04 AM

these colors are delicious! as well as the models... :) so wonderful...

Kara Wieler says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 08:48 AM

I love, love, love that third shot. That tree is amazing!

melina Wallisch says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 08:21 AM

My 3 year old is super picky about photography and he LOVES these pics hah! The colors are so rich and brilliant, I LOVE IT

Carter Moore says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 08:14 AM

These are so good. I love the location and the choice of wardrobe. The added books and pipe are great touches for this shoot. Well done Sarah

Friday, March 19, 2010, 01:49 AM
Everyday is a new chance to choose.

To choose to see the world from a new perspective. 
To choose joy.
To choose not to let others dictate your feelings.
To choose to stop fretting with insecurity and doubt.
To choose action and not distraction.
To choose to trust someone.
To choose creation versus stagnation.
To choose not to play it safe this time. 
To choose to make your own path and forge your own way. 
To choose to execute dreams rather than sitting on them. 
To choose to let go of the outcome of things and embrace the journey.
To choose to be YOU unapologetically. 
To choose to take responsibility instead of blaming others. 
To choose to be fearless.
To choose to make things happen. 
To choose to be bold and execute on that project that you fear. 
To choose to be open to new people and experiences.

Choice = Power. Everyday it is up to me.


Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (35)
wrecklessgirl says: Friday, March 26, 2010, 05:26 PM

oh sarah sarah sarah (and chris chris chris) ... amazing little peek into your life and it never gets old in this case, more is more and not enough, ever. keep doing what you're doing.

Ale says: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 03:27 AM

It's a wonderful post with fantastic shots. A couple of weeks ago I was fired and the reading of yours words make me feel better
Ale

Rowell says: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 07:12 AM

mMm milk and cookies :)

leah a. says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 01:42 PM

words of wisdom to live by!! ;-)

romin says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 12:06 PM

you two are awesome. that is all.

Harmony Loves says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 10:52 AM

absolutely love this post! LOVE!!

Kristine says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 10:30 AM

Yessss!! Thanks for this encouraging post. These are the things us creatives need to hear!

arenda says: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 11:00 PM

yum. i'm now in the mood for chocolate chip cookies + milk!

ken says: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 05:29 PM

come back to new york! we miss you here already!

Meggan Petty says: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 04:34 PM

You are a constant source of inspiration to me, Sarah! Yours is the first of many blogs I visit each time I sign on the internet. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and insight with the world... you ROCK!

HannahTaylor says: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the insight and encouragement.

kirsten says: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 08:01 AM

as usual beautiful words. AND beautiful images. thanks sarah.

Rachel says: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 11:30 AM

As usual your post makes me think, think about life and think about choices. Good & Bad.

NYC is the most inspirational city in the world. I cannot get enough of it. It makes dreams seem like reality. Amazing.

P.S. You guys are wonderful.

anda says: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 08:03 AM

i really needed to read this today. thank you for being the blogger that you are. and i still hope you write a book :)

Nuh Sarche says: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 01:26 AM

Thank you for this!

Josh Thomson says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 11:48 PM

This is a great post, Sarah! And its something I think I needed to be reminded of. So often we take the choices we have for granted or just gloss over it. Thanks and these pics from your trip are pretty sweet as well!

kay says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 07:42 PM

how much did i need to read/see that today? THIS MUCH. i may just need to print it out. thank you.

Thresha Benson says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 07:28 PM

Thank you for this post. I was feeling a little down after a day at my boring bank job and this is exactly what I needed to read when I got home from work today!

Lara Beck says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 06:51 PM

THANKYOU..... :-)

evelyn says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 06:25 PM

The last image is perfect. makes me feel that i am there. !

Kinsley says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 05:32 PM

Lovely Post. New York looks marvelous. Hope you are having a wonderful trip!

Lesley says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 04:54 PM

That cookies + milk photo is so freaking cute!!

Anna says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 04:04 PM

You guys are the best. Hands down.

Kerry says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 02:28 PM

Guess who else needed that? Me. Thanks + welcome :). See you tomorrow!

Marissa Rodriguez says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 02:07 PM

Totally needed to read this today. Thank you.

Laura says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 01:11 PM

Thanks for this post. Very appropriate especially as events make life feel overwhelming. But I can still choose my attitude in responding. Thanks for your thoughts Sarah! They're much appreciated!

Melina Wallisch says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 01:07 PM

NYC is where I've performed and got engaged...I long to go back...beautiful photos

Anya Elise says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 12:35 PM

It's sometimes easy to feel overwhelmed by the seeming onslaught of life's events, so it's so important to remember that life doesn't just happen *to* us. Everything depends on our own choices and how we choose to approach life.

Loved this post. Enjoy NYC!!

jarrod says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 12:13 PM

love it. convicting and inspiring.

jamie delaine says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 11:51 AM

you two are such a beautiful couple. inside and out.

Becka @Studio222 Photography says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 11:31 AM

I LOVE NYC. And I have a pick of that blue door from our last trip. Love it.

april walker says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 11:10 AM

awesome post! thanks for the inspiration & perspective reminder. i will most definitely be coming back to this one for that needed push on days when i must remind myself to choose the good (& sometimes hard) stuff :) happy friday!

Kristen says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 11:09 AM

Really like post and the images are terrific as always. Thanks for sharing — needed to hear that today! Cheers!

Tara says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 11:07 AM

welcome to new york, my city!

Be sure to check out Magnolia Bakery, Sugar Sweet Sunshine, and a fabulous place called 'inoteca in the lower east side. Wonderful vibe and food.

Emilie says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 10:58 AM

Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing!!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010, 09:23 AM
I remember the days of Chris playing at smokey dim lit bars and clubs and being on the road 260 days of the year. Many of you may not know this, but Chris is an incredible bass player. Since his early teens Chris has been on and off the road touring with different bands and working for various record labels as a freelance upright and electric bassist.   When we moved to Seattle about three years ago, life on the road and touring started to become less and less desirable, and our business started to become a passion for him. So for the past two years Chris has been touring less and focusing more on studio work and local projects. All while being full time with our business and loving it. He is a true artist and his ability to bring creative vision whether through music or a visual medium amazes me. 

Although Chris's life on the road was never quite like what's portrayed in this shoot :) there were definitely a couple of guys who stand out in my mind as truly embracing their "front man" status and late night rock lifestyle. The concept for this shoot really came from a place of wanting to capture just an innocent taste of that experience and peek into that lifestyle. You can see the full story from the shoot here: Rock Story

On a side note, we arrived at our hotel in NYC last night. The Standard is by far one of the sickest hotels I have ever stayed at. highly recommend it. I woke up to the most amazing sunrise coming over the buildings... it was magical. Off to meet a new friend at Pastis for brunch!

Makeup/Hair: Tiffany Lowry
Full Story: Rock Story
Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (20)
Kim Spears says: Friday, March 26, 2010, 04:53 PM

Sarah what a fun session !! I love love love all the poses :)

Rick Wenner says: Monday, March 22, 2010, 07:29 AM

Loving this series of photos. They've all got a really great feel to them. The first and second shot especially.

amber says: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 05:42 PM

beyond fabulous!

HannahTaylor says: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 11:03 AM

Great shoot!

Nick Fuller says: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 03:54 AM

All your work is inspiring and unique, but these shots are extra special. Great work and thanks for endless inspiration. Say hi to the Pacific Northwest for me, I miss it.

Emilie says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 11:01 AM

This is awesome!!!

Jillian Bisinger says: Friday, March 19, 2010, 01:56 AM

SEXY SASSY! Obey Giant! Absolutely LOVE this one - props to you two (: Enjoy New York. If you have time, make it over to PS1, best museum EVER!

lindy says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 04:37 PM

This is my favorite shoot from you thus far. looove

lindy says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 04:36 PM

I looove this session. Its my favorite one thus far!

Alice Chiong says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 03:56 PM

Love those shots! There are so much energy in them!

I just want to ask if flash was used in your shots? and do you usually apply flash into your photography?

Keep up the good work! They are always so inspiring to me and many others!

Alice Chiong says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 03:54 PM

Love those photos! They are great. I just want to ask if flash was used in your photos or do you usually apply flash into your photography?

Thanks! keep up the good work. They are always so inspiring!

Katie Neal Photo says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 02:55 PM

Too many photos I just LOVE to nail it down to one or two!

Cameron Braun says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 12:24 PM

As Cities Burn lyrics for a tattoo is pure genius. Love it.

Allison says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 10:55 AM

Love love love this post! I want to be hat cool one day and get a dope tattoo and Smoke (ok No on the smoking haha)! Seriously bad ass love it!

applem00n says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 09:39 AM

really rocks

Marissa Rodriguez says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 08:57 AM

Straight up geniuses!

romin says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 08:15 AM

awesome work, as always peeps.

if you didnt get my nyc recs, at the very least try to get tickets for fuerza bruta. you can thank me later:P

leah a. says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 07:29 AM

♥♥♥ your work is inspiring!!

Liz says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 06:43 AM

Love this session!

Rachel says: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 06:39 AM

Ah-Mazing as per usual! You have the eye of a creative genius!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 07:40 AM
I love it when inspiration just flows. You never know where it can come from. A movie, a sign, a photo, a film, music, a person. That's why I never want to close my eyes... not even for a second. You never know what you could miss, I hate missing out. The rush of inspiration can come and go, but I've been thinking a lot about the role and responsibility we have as artists to keep it around. Chris and I have been having a lot of discussion recently about how important it is to operate on a consistently high inspiration/creative frequency. That is the term we have coined for it anyway.... 

Inspiration is defined as a sudden creativity in artistic production. We all operate on a frequency of inspiration as artists. It is the food we eat, the water we drink. Without it we will shrivel and die. But it seems like most artists (myself included) allow the inspiration to come in waves. Sometimes we are on an inspiration high and other times our inspiration frequency is much lower.  And why does wikipedia define inspiration as "sudden" creativity? is there a way that we can make it more constant? I think there is. Which begs the question, "how can we operate on maximum capacity inspiration frequency?" "How can we feed it, nurture it, grow it and maintain it?" 

That answer will be different for everyone. But it is one that I have been asking myself a lot recently as Chris and I have been operating on a high inspiration frequency for the past few months and there is no greater feeling in the world. Living at an intense inspiration frequency allows us to truly be the best we can be. It allows us to dream bigger and dig deeper into who we are as artists. It forces us to step into our fears and produce work on a higher creative level. At this point I'm scared of just operating at a moderate level of inspiration. None of us should settle for that. So now we must all ask ourselves how we can best live on a higher frequency of inspiration. Perhaps something must change in your life. Certain habits must go and we must invite others in? For me, I know taking time to look "within" rather than look outside does wonders for my "frequency," --among many other things. What is it for you?

This is part uno of this rock lifestyle shoot that we had last week. More to come.

Makeup/Hair: Tiffany Lowry
Location: Cafe Venus 



Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (18)
Becka @Studio222 Photography says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 01:34 PM

Love this Sarah and Chris. Nate and I have been talking a lot about the same thing recently. Do you keep a file on your computer where you throw inspiring bits? I have one on my desktop. :)

Hannah Taylor says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 01:11 PM

I was wondering though how much knowing yourself plays into what inspires you and motivates you to create your own art and interpret life in the way only you can see it. I agree with James in his comment about needing a little of both. I think the things that catch our eye and inspire us are as unique to us as our personalities and who we are.

leah a. says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 10:53 AM

I was so busy looking at the amazing photos, I almost missed the text! Very interesting and so true.

John Heil says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 10:39 AM

love this post! you somehow have this way perfectly nailing what we're all thinking and feeling.

Dominoe Imus says: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 08:21 AM

I love the hotness rockstar look. Just awesome. Tho, these guys look a lot cleaner and nicer than what I imagine rockstars actually look like drinking in the afternoon. Ha!

James says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 04:27 PM

It's interesting that you start the post speaking of the necessity to look outward for inspiration (a movie, a sign, a photo, a film, music, a person), while at the end you speak of the profound importance for yourself to look "within" rather than to look outside.

Ebb & Flow. Breathe In & Out. Summer & Autumn & Winter & Spring. Plant & Care & Harvest & Feast. I personally find that there are sessions/seasons of beholding and consuming media which inspires, quiet seasons of reflection, and then the moments of creative realization and craftsmanship/production/action.

Oh, and, great images once again. Good to see these personal projects.

Lesley says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 02:03 PM

Love the red lipstick, and the concept! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and photos Sarah, I appreciate it!

Sid says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 01:11 PM

Once again, AWESOME photos! Love em!

Josh Thomson says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 10:24 AM

Great thoughts, Sarah! This is something i've been thinking about too. I've been wondering how I can live in a more consistent state of creativity rather than the highs and lows. I think its something where we have to look at where we consistently are inspired from (magazines, architecture, books, movies) and then pull from there on a regular basis all the while being open and aware of everything else around us. It takes alot of work to be consistently creative, but its so worth it. Thanks for sharing.

Hannah Taylor says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 10:16 AM

very cool!

Spencer says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 09:57 AM

I LOVE this! Your words on creativity hit deep and should for all the artist reading that! ROCK ON!

Millie says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 08:58 AM

I love this post. Your words are so true, and I find that my works truly suffers when my inspiration is low. I can feel the tangible difference when I walk away from a shoot, knowing that I was filled with inspiration, compared to when I am not.

Beautiful shoot, beautiful people.

Would you mind me asking what you use for sharpening?? I love the look of it.

eliesa says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 08:52 AM

This is WAY more like it...that's what I'm TALKIN' about! Hell yeah!

LOVEe

Marissa Rodriguez says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 08:51 AM

Your writing, creative eye and ability to inspire others is so powerful! You've got the whole package :)

Katie Neal Photo says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 08:49 AM

Love em! like always! You two rock! P.S. what do you do when you feel like you are bone dry of inspiration? Just so exhausted, overwhelmed, and going through the motions?!

LINDSEYBELLE says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 08:34 AM

These photographs are stunning. I love the way you captured the rock lifestyle! Inspiration frequency. Awesome!

Julie h says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 08:21 AM

Your inspirational energy is so contagious and inspiring in itself. I like the idea of feeling the need to looking inward to find it rather than always looking out and away. Can't wait to see round two!

Melina Wallisch says: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 08:08 AM

trust the happenings...when I cease asking for guarentees that my feet will find secure ground for my advancing steps, support appears. Trust in your ability to respond creatively to whatever happens...keep on rockin sarah rhoads!