Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:25 AM
This shoot was an absolute blast! It was my first experience having an epic clothing fight in a random laundromat. We got quite a few "What the hell?" stares from the innocent bystanders just trying to do their Saturday laundry :) We definitely gave people an entertaining show while they waited for their laundry to dry. I had to come back to the laundromat after the shoot because I had forgotten one of my shirts in a dryer, and the owner of the shop said after we left everyone was amazed that those beautiful people wanted their photos taken in a laundromat. I had to laugh. :) 

We worked with a great little crew for this shoot. It was our first time to work with stylist-extraordinaire, Osiris, so her, Chris and I came up with the concept for the shoot and she worked her styling and wardrobe magic. The models were absolutely fantastic as well. When I was going to Target the morning of the shoot to pick up a bright colored laundry basket, I happened to look up at one of the Ads on the wall and low and behold I see beautiful little Rhylie looking down at me. After we hit the laundry mats we decided to go get some ice cream at my favorite Ice Cream place in Seattle, Molly Moon's, more of those to come in a later post. May these put a little smile on your face this Monday!

Wardrobe Stylist: Osiris Navarro
Makeup: Jara Mohlman
Models: Rhylie & Levon of Heffner
Photographers: Sarah & Chris Rhoads






Thoughts
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pwajda says: Monday, June 14, 2010, 02:12 AM

wow!! grat session I love it :)

carmen says: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 04:21 PM

hey sarah .. love these and the ice cream shots as well! what fun you must have had ... i love her smile :)

Michelle Guzman says: Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 05:16 PM

LOVE LOVE LOVE these!!!!!!!

Geoff says: Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 08:27 AM

These make me happy!

Alice says: Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 06:20 PM

If I was a judge, and you were a contestant, I'd give this shoot a "10!" Any photo editor would be at a loss to cut any of these images... they are all super!

latteaddict says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 09:10 PM

Absolutely love it. I've been obsessed with coin laundry theme since Lisa Mitchell's song Coin Laundry. You should check her video out on youtube.

Kelly Beane says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:43 PM

I've always wanted to do a shoot in an old laundromat. You nailed this!! Lovely work!

Rachel says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 06:22 PM

Every single shoot is like it belongs in a magazine!! Seriously, you are amazingly creative....

WOW!

paula Leme says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 04:09 PM

!!! i love it! so creative and fun :)

Julie says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 01:58 PM

Smiling!! Super cute.

Laura says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 11:01 AM

These images tell such a great story! Thank you for putting a Monday moring smile on my face :)

Emily says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 10:44 AM

These are so cute! You have such an eye for capturing great moments!

Kim says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 10:09 AM

what a fun idea! I love the detail shots...these two look like they had a blast :)

Alexandra says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 09:47 AM

these are so cool! i love the models and the outfits - especially the socks! great concept :) i'm loving it!

scott neumyer says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 09:22 AM

these are PERFECTION!

wendy says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 09:18 AM

Love the socks!!!! And the coke bottles were a great add as well. Fantastic and fun.

Melinda says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:53 AM

How fun! The energy is over the top in these! Quick question: Do you get the owner to sign a property release? I always ask verbal permission to use space, but wondering if I need something more. Thanks in advance!

Emily says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:51 AM

What FUN - I absolutely love these!!

Robin says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:50 AM

Stunning shoot, wow, I can't stop looking at them. Love the socks in particular.

Spencer says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:50 AM

This is incredible! Seriously love the shoot! Keep up the awesome work!

Leora says: Monday, May 10, 2010, 08:41 AM

Love this shoot!!! how original !!! also love all the colours!! last picture is my fav!!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 07:51 AM
Karlie & Jordan have the longest standing relationship of any of our couples to date.  They have known one another since pre-school. Jordan's mom was Karlie's pre-school teacher! How cute is that? Little did she know that one day that cute little strawberry blonde girl would be her daughter in law. 

It's oftentimes that you meet a couple that has been together as long as these two and they no longer have that "FIRE" for one another. We've all met couples like that. I was so impressed by the absolute love, admiration and passion these two have for one another. They definitely still had the fire :). Jordan and Karlie love life and breathe it in deep. They also cherish one another and laugh at each others jokes; two things that I personally think are crucial for any relationship with longevity. 

These two value the finer things in life like good music, good beer and quality time together. Midway through our shoot the rain settled in and I loved how it didn't even phase them. It showed so much about their character. The hair getting wet didn't matter, the cold and wind didn't seem to bother them much either, they got what this was all about and I love people who have a big picture perspective like that. 



Thoughts
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Jason Williams says: Sunday, May 9, 2010, 09:59 AM

The first image in the group......one of my faves of yours ever. It's a little bit of magic! One of those images that is full of story and motion...great capture.

Erica Velasco says: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 08:42 AM

Super cute! Love the emotions toward the end of the session...and I love how the wind can be the best thing ever sometimes!

Alexandra says: Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 08:27 AM

looooove.

Karlie & Jordan says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 08:56 PM

Sarah, these are fantastic!!! Everything we had hoped for! Thank you so much for the fun photo shoot and these amazing images! We LOVE them!!!

Kevin Wrenn Photography says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 08:34 PM

I love the pallette of this entire shoot! The hands holding pine cones is oh oh oh so beautiful. You have these harsh prickly things with twigs held by such soft hands and embraced by the warm tones of her clothing and the ground. It's almost like she's holding a bird that just died and she's holding it with such reverence and appreciation. I love what this shot captures. Very well done guys!

Ev and John says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 06:57 PM

I am speechless... You two are a treasure as one and it radiates in these photos!

Shauna says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 01:41 PM

Wow! These are so great! It really shows what depth their love for each other goes. I've watched it thru the years & it always amazes me how fresh and new it always seems when I'm around the two of them.

arenda says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 12:37 PM

i love that black and white one where karlie has her eyes closed. beautiful moment.

Hi-Fi Weddings says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 11:55 AM

omg i want to be their bffs! they sound like me and my hubby :)

Lindsay says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 11:33 AM

So Amazing!!!
It is hard to pick a favorite...but love the kissing on the blanket pic.
I love the backgrounds, colors and the wind really added a nice touch.
What a beautiful couple :)

anda says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 10:29 AM

wind! hair blowing all around = love. i'm especially enamored of the first frame here.

Jodi says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 09:36 AM

I recently started checking out your blog and I love it! Your pictures are inspiring, and today's is gorgeous as always. Not only do I love the photos the two of you take, but your opening words are motivational. It all keeps me coming back for more!

Stephanie says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 08:39 AM

Gorgeous! You can feel the love in these photos..

Chelsea Patricia says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 08:26 AM

Obsessed. As usual.

Melina Wallisch says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 08:20 AM

this is my new favorite shoot from you guys! so natural, and the colors are so rich. just wondering, what time of day is this? any tips on acheiving that golden tone? thank you.

Laura says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 08:05 AM

Gorgeous photos - I love the emotion that you captured...

Sarah Steffen says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 08:04 AM

I love when I see couples that have been together for so long and still see the sun in each other's eyes! The images capture that perfectly. Amazing.

Sarah Steffen says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 08:04 AM

I love when I see couples that have been together for so long and still see the sun in each other's eyes! The images capture that perfectly. Amazing.

Gabe says: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 07:58 AM

perfect. there is a beautiful feeling to these images.

Thursday, April 29, 2010, 08:30 AM
Meet little Miss Kara Mercer. She is a southern bell from Texas and I think I could listen to her darling little swangy accent all day. It. is. adorable. Kara is a photographer who came to Seattle for the Jesh workshop a couple of weeks ago and hired us to do a little lifestyle shoot of her prior to the workshop. We had a blast taking her around all kinds of obscure little Seattle locations and I loved seeing how big her eyes got when we walked out to where the boats were docked. I don't think that Texas has anything quite like that ;)

Kara is one of those people that puts others before herself, she laughs often and doesn't take life too seriously. These are all very endearing qualities, but what I love most about Kara is her ability to encourage others. She truly has a gift for seeing the goodness in each person she encounters. It was such a joy to watch her interact with everyone at the workshop for three days, she had something lovely to say to each and every person she encountered. 

The ability to speak life into others is such a beautiful gift. Kara is someone who recognizes the power in her affirmations and words to truly change the lives of others. I would not be where I am today had it not been for the people in my life that spoke life into me and told me truths about the great things they see in my future. I can still close my eyes and hear the powerful words of the people that have been vessels of growth for me; a dad who said he was "always proud," a sister who said she "looks up to me," a mentor who told me I have "a gift for loving others," a husband who believes I will "do a great many things." Sincere words are powerful things. When we can find ways to use our words for good- the course of people's lives can be changed. 


Thoughts
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Alex Rubin says: Saturday, May 1, 2010, 12:27 PM

I love the shoe shot!

Kara Mercer says: Friday, April 30, 2010, 05:44 PM

I love them!!! It was a great pick me up to see them yesterday since I have been going 90 to nothing and getting sick! Thanks Sarah!! You are a blessing to me!!

Lezlie Andrew says: Friday, April 30, 2010, 08:58 AM

Aww, I LOVE Kara! She is such a sweet heart! She's 2nd shot a couple of weddings with me and she always makes it a little more fun. :) She definitely knows how to put a smile on your face. I adore that girl!

Jason Williams says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 02:46 PM

Loving the split-tinted image in the middle of the group Sarah...super cool idea. Great work as always!

chelsea donoho says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 02:17 PM

cuuuute! love the last one a looot

lesley says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 11:20 AM

Love her lashes and her overall look! Just cute! :)

anda says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 10:32 AM

it's the dear kara!! aw this post so puts a smile on my face.

Alexandra says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 07:59 AM

wowwww i love these photos! so so so beautiful!

David Lee says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 07:51 AM

These are outstanding photos, and her style is awesome, I LOVE that first shot, her make up is incredible!! Great shoot guys, you really captured who fun personality!!

amberle says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 06:47 AM

your work truly inspires me!! every single post i am in love with and makes me want to become a better portrait photographer! please continue to be amazing so that i can strive to be a photographer like you some day!!!

Paula says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 06:37 AM

Oh, how awesome! Kara you look gorgeous darling! And Sarah, you always amaze me :) Love and miss you both! Paula (from the workshop)

Christina LeMarr says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 06:29 AM

LOVE this!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 04:45 AM
A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending and helping host Jesh de Rox, Life as an Artform workshop here in my backyard. It was such a rich experience on a variety of levels. Anything that has the ability to shift a perspective, challenge a previous thought, ask a question in a way that I have never heard it asked is something I am a huge fan of. That is why I love my dear friend Jesh and that's why this workshop is so dear to my heart. It's the type of experience that causes a creative mind-shift.

During my time at Life as an Artform, each of us had three minutes to capture my friends Gabe and Ashley. I think these two are beautiful. They radiate such a natural joy and life. I'm also pretty razed about Gabe's full chin strap. It's pretty gnarly. My guess is that is what swung him such a pretty gal like Ashley... she saw the chin strap and she was sold ;) 

We leave for Oklahoma today and I'm a bridesmaid in one of my best friends weddings, I'm really looking forward to being able to enjoy and celebrate Sarah and Jeff from a different perspective than I'm used to. It's been a long long time since I've been to a wedding without my camera and I'm excited to sit back and enjoy the show this Friday.

Thoughts
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kirsten says: Friday, April 30, 2010, 03:22 PM

this couple has an awesome style and you captured them brilliantly. you can't stage those smiles. absolutely beautiful.

Curtis Wiklund says: Friday, April 30, 2010, 08:51 AM

Hey Chris and Sarah, just love these pictures. My wife and I have been following your work for a while now. Funny we've never met you or even spoken! We feel like we know you! My wife describes your pictures as "SO HAPPY!" Very inspiring.

Cynthia @ My Bridal Bids says: Friday, April 30, 2010, 08:42 AM

Uhm, you rock? Quite obvious. :)

gabe says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 11:53 AM

Thanks for having us Sarah and for capturing these moments with my smoking hot wife ;)

Lara Beck says: Thursday, April 29, 2010, 01:48 AM

I Love Jesh.....I was very fortunate to attend his workshop in Perth, Australia 18mths ago!! It was definitely was an Experience.....never to forget! :-)
Great shots again! :-)

Michele DeVries says: Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 09:08 PM

Such great energy. Love it!

Christine says: Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 06:04 PM

beautiful. i can totally feel jesh in these shots... the couple is STUNNING. xoxo

Alex Rubin says: Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 01:58 PM

You Rock!

ALexandra says: Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 11:59 AM

Wow I love these images! Great work :)

Darby says: Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 07:57 AM

That first shot is absolutely beautiful!