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Shari & Mike
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Thursday, January 14, 2010, 09:15 AM
Shari and Mike Vallely are an awesome husband and wife photography team that came down to Seattle from Vancouver, B.C. to see us for a six hour mentor session yesterday. It was like the four of us were destined to be friends. Mike and Shari are visionaries who see the "bigger picture" in things, and to us, that is where EVERYTHING should start. 

Vision is everything. The quote that describes it best is, "Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others." An artist without vision is worthless. As artists, people hire us for our unique vision. They hire us because we see things and think of things that they never would. Every successful artist and business person I know shares one very attractive quality... a clear and compelling vision. They know where they are going and they always think BIG. People with vision have the heart, the guts, and the drive to take them to where they want to be. Vision is the defining quality that sets apart the leaders from the followers; those that make their dreams a reality and those who merely wish.

What was so personally empowering about working with Mike and Shari was helping these two get in touch with their own aspirations in order to help them forge those aspirations into a personal vision, and then giving them tangible steps to help them get to where they want to be.

These two have so much going for them. This world better watch out because these two have one thing that most people never grasp in this life, and that is Vision.

p.s. Mike is a killer break-dancer and is B-boy'ing it up in the closing ceremony's of the Olympics this year :) hence his killer moves in a couple of the following photos.




Thoughts
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stevie Trischmann says: Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 03:16 PM

somehow my comment keeps going on the wrong post so just know that my previous comment was meant for your post on why you became a photographer. It was a lovely post!
Stacey says: Monday, January 18, 2010, 05:51 PM

What a stunning and fun looking couple. I love how you captured them! :)
renata Marques says: Friday, January 15, 2010, 01:33 PM

perfect! your work is lovely!

;)
Emilie says: Friday, January 15, 2010, 08:36 AM

Gorgeous photos!! What a cute couple!!

appleM00N says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 10:11 PM

thank you guys for sharing YOUR vision
Kayleen T. says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 02:08 PM

I love them! The mentoring sessions seem awesome, getting to learn from you guys, plus being shot by you is such a bonus!
Chrissy Austring says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 01:44 PM

Amazing job on these shots as always! I am a huge fan of your work and feel so inspired!

Mike and Shari: It’s been ages! You both look fab :) xoxo
Chrissy Austring says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 01:44 PM

Amazing job on these shots as always! I am a huge fan of your work and feel so inspired!

Mike and Shari: It’s been ages! You both look fab :) xoxo
Katie Neal Photo says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 12:47 PM

Love these shots! This is like THE perfect couple to take photos of! Gorgeous and fun!
kirsten says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 10:54 AM

this is too cute! what a rockin couple :)

Marissa Rodriguez says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 10:40 AM

I wish I could break dance! :) LOVIN' this couple!
jamie delaine says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 10:13 AM

Oh my goshhhhh. This couple is RAD. Rad rad RAD. :) Sarah Rhoads, only you turn me into a little fangirl when I comment. only you!
sarahrhoads says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 09:54 AM

@Brianna I think we should go on a covert "bike stashing" mission. ;)
Harmony Loves says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 09:44 AM

your work always pulls me in. I find myself with a big fat smile across my face while looking at your site. :)
They look so happy and serene, I lOVE it!
Alexandra says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 09:30 AM

I love these!
Krista Leigh Hurst says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 09:23 AM

I love how you captured the breaking dancing. I can see his personality through that photo. Nice Job :)
briana says: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 09:19 AM

i must say, i just want to go stash bikes at random places amongst my city so i can shoot through them on my esessions, so much loving. ...
193
Lori & David
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Monday, December 21, 2009, 08:27 AM
Meet Lori & David, they are photographers out of Knoxville, TN with a vision to do something great with their business. They want to leave a footprint on this industry, on this world... and they will. Lori & David have a heart to love others, the passion to succeed, and the hard work ethic to thrive. They are in the beginning stages of their journey and we cannot wait to see how they will grow and where they end up. I feel like our day went so fast.... we covered the gamut in this mentor session. Working with husband and wife teams in our consulting sessions is always especially fun for us. It's like going on an 8 hour double date and pouring our hearts into a couple that we want to see succeed, and helping them navigate all of the facets of running a business together.

Helping Lori and David set up a roadmap for their business was so fun. Every mentor session is customized to where a person is at in their journey and since Lori and David are starting out, our goal was to help them avoid things that waste their time and money; and instead invest in the things that will make their business grow and flourish. We challenged them to get out of their comfort zones with the way they shoot, process & edit. And taught them how to finesse their workflow so that it is streamlined and flawless; resulting in ecstatic clients and a more balanced life.  We did a full portfolio review, worked on lighting and  discussed how to make a lit situation look like as if it were all natural light. This day was soo rich!!! I just adore these two! 

And a huge shout out to the ACE for the killer room that we shot in. We love the team over there at the Ace. The hotel ALWAYS takes care of our mentor session clients with kindness and grace, going out of their way to make them happy. 





Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (12)
Brenda Landrum says: Monday, December 28, 2009, 09:42 PM

Get Out!!! I love this series of images and the second image....I looked at it for a long time. :) So much joy jumps out of my screen at me!!!
Justin James says: Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 06:07 PM

Love this series. I love the simplicity of it. Thanks for sharing...

Nancy says: Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 05:41 AM

I love this, someday I want my own session too. ;)
Lisa says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 02:20 PM

Okay, so I've got an idea.....how about you come to Australia so I can absorb some knowledge off you both!! ; ) I've probably said this a ton of times before but your work is just so inspiring.

Heather Stringer says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 01:46 PM

To: Lori and David, you guys are wonderful and it was great meeting you all. love the life exuding from these photos and in acutality...see you around, heh?
From: Heather (and Jay, I'm surrre he'd agree with me)

To: Sarah and Chris, words will not do, how about a virtual hug and nod to how enjoyable you both are and how beautiful it is to see you do what impassions your lives. it was great to be in some of the scenes of Friday...
From: Heather (and Jay, I'm also sure he'd agree with me here too)
Lori says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 11:01 AM

Sarah & Chris, I can't begin to tell you how much we love these shots! They show us, our personality, our love! Thank you, for everything! You are such wonderful, full of life people. We are so thankful to now consider you friends.

alice says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 09:54 AM

Love your combination with of the fun and the detail shots! Such a cute couple, great location, and lovely little plant.

Marissa Rodriguez says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 09:23 AM

The last one is my favorite! My husband and I SO want to do one of these mentoring session with you guys! I can't wait for the day we actually can! :)
sarahrhoads says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 09:13 AM

@ohana sorry the comments FREAKED out on you! lol
ohana photographers says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 08:42 AM

oh my gosh one more time. love.
Alexandra says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 08:38 AM

These are so awesome :) Beautiful shots!

Melina ~honeybird says: Monday, December 21, 2009, 08:31 AM

SWEET pics Sarah! Thanks for my a.m. inspiration!
184
Rebecca & Chad
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Friday, November 27, 2009, 08:48 AM
Meet Rebecca & Chad Hansen! They are a husband and wife photography team from Idaho that came to Seattle to do a mentor session with Chris and I. They are some of the sweetest and most loving people you could meet. We did a 6 hour session with the four of us and it was tons of fun. They came with open hearts and minds that were eager to learn and grow. We did a full portfolio review, went over workflow, marketing, creative positioning, finding their voice and talked a lot about honing in on their strengths as artists and people. It was really fun to work with a hubby/wife team! In the 6 hour session we did a little photo shoot of the mentoree's :), it was raining so we went inside for Rebecca & Chad's shoot. This is a couple with a little bit of "quirk" so I thought this location was perfect for them and I really love this kind of "all white wall" indoor shooting. The way the light bounces and comes back in places with nice ambient window light and white walls is always really beautiful to me and is a great alternative to shooting in the rain when it's raining too hard. 

Thanksgiving was amazing yesterday... I am continually overwhelmed with my life on regular basis. The friends and family that surround us. Having a business that we love. Our amazing clients that allow us to live out our passion. It is all a bit of a dream and I am humbled by it. 

Now today we must pack. We leave for Thailand in less than 8 hours and have nothing packed.... haha... I guess that is just the way the Rhoads roll. See you all on the other side of the globe! :)

Thoughts
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Luisa Brimble says: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 06:33 PM

Hello Sarah
I just want to jump on the next available flight to Seattle for a mentor session with you! You guys are just the greatest. I would definitely like to know more about your mentor session and perhaps I should start saving tons of cash to see you guys. Please please please let me know straight away if you guys are ever coming to Australia any time soon. Actually you should have stopped Thailand is only 8 hours away. Thank you so much for the inspiration you guys give us everytime you post your photos! Hip hip hooooooooooraaaaaaaayy!!!
Cheers, Luisa
Kellie Rae says: Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 09:48 PM

These are SO awesome. I love the colors and the candid poses. Seriously, REALLY well done!
Kellie Rae says: Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 09:48 PM

These are SO awesome. I love the colors and the candid poses. Seriously, REALLY well done!
Amy says: Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 09:38 PM

This is one of the coolest locations that I have seen!! Love how funky and modern it is and all those colors are awesome!!! Love this post!
Kayla says: Saturday, November 28, 2009, 04:05 PM

SWEET location! I LOVE these photos!
Yuka photo art says: Saturday, November 28, 2009, 10:41 AM

Have fun in Thailand, we have been there and we in love with this beautiful country!!!!!!!!! Beautiful photographs, I am going to check their website as well!
kirsten says: Friday, November 27, 2009, 11:11 PM

it's true. they are the sweetest and the best. these images are beautiful and really capture them and their adorable love!

Becka @Studio222 Photography says: Friday, November 27, 2009, 09:03 PM

How do you shoot in all these gorgeous hotels? We always get asked to leave. LOL. ;)
Dorothy Huynh says: Friday, November 27, 2009, 04:55 PM

geoff mcfetridge! so good- love the window light!
Julie h says: Friday, November 27, 2009, 11:33 AM

safe travels. love the cleanness of these with a dash of color!
Alexandra says: Friday, November 27, 2009, 09:48 AM

Oooh loving these :)
Jane Hasty says: Friday, November 27, 2009, 09:44 AM

Adorable!!!!
Rebecca & Chad says: Friday, November 27, 2009, 09:04 AM

AHHHHHHHHHHH! Our heads just exploded. These are amazing!
We love you Sarah & Chris. Enjoy Thailand!
172
Gina Zeidler
Monday, November 9, 2009, 10:12 AM
Gina is a photographer based in Minnesota who came to visit us in Seattle for her six hour mentor session with us. We covered the gamut with Gina. She came LOADED with questions and a big open heart ready to learn. That is the best way to come. We started out the day with a mini-shoot of Gina in her hotel room and the wonderful Miss Tiffany Lowry did Gina's hair and make up for her. 

Gina knows how to make my heart go pitter patter :), she came in head to toe Anthropologie, those who know me realize I have a slight obsession with that place. I look forward to the Anthro catalogue showing up on my door every season because not only do I love the clothing, but the photography and the production that goes into the shoots in the catalogue are simply brilliant. I got mine the other day and spent a good 45 minutes thumbing through it, leaving with a heart full of inspiration :)

During Gina's time with us we chatted about style, passion, risks, heart, processing, inspiration, posing, artistic voice, shooting in backlit situations, confidence, branding and did a full portfolio review. The six hour day was totally packed and we had a blast! It is so fun for us to be able to teach.... to pass on knowledge, encouragement and wisdom to someone who was where we were just a few years back. Chris and I always walk away full. So enjoy a bit of Gina today...

Hair/makeup: Tiffany Lowry




Thoughts
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ohana photographers says: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 01:34 PM

as always...pure love.
stephanie . o says: Monday, November 16, 2009, 07:49 AM

where is that obey wall? i love it!! great work!
stephanie . o says: Monday, November 16, 2009, 07:48 AM

where is that obey wall? i love it!! great work!
Stephen says: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 06:49 PM

How can I get in on the Mentorship?
Marissa Rodriguez says: Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 11:23 AM

The last photo is pretty ridiculous! Love everything!

Lesley says: Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 10:24 AM

Love the second to last photo...just fantastic! And her outfit..man oh man I wish they had a store in Vancouver..although I would probably be broke if they did. :)
sarahrhoads says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 06:30 PM

@lorihensley it is the ACE in Seattle :) It is in the mentor resource guide I sent you as a recommendation for where to stay. it is the best. so fun
Lori Hensley says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 06:25 PM

What hotel is this? I'd love to stay there.
ash says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 06:14 PM

you probably already know this, but you are wonderful. :) and so is everything that comes out of you. love + miss!
Christine says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 02:36 PM

amazing. i wanna come back to seattle and do a mentor session with you! not only would i learn photo secrets, i'd learn fashion skillz!!! :)

Ketti says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 02:17 PM

the last frame is ahhh-mazing!
i covet my anthropologie catalogs- they are dog-eared for clothes and photo inspiration.
Allison says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 02:17 PM

I love the Obey Poster wall, I need to check out the Ace when I come back to Seattle in the Holidays it looks so dope in your images! Such fun carefree photos... amazing as always!
Ketti says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 02:16 PM

the last frame is ahhh-mazing!
i covet my anthropologie catalogs- they are dog-eared for clothes and photo inspiration.
Judd says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 02:00 PM

Looks like you both had a great time on this shoot. PS, Eliesa and I stayed in this same room. We LOVE the Ace Hotel. I'm also a OBEY nerd, so I love the poster wall...
lyndsay hyatt-almeida says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 12:10 PM

lovin' this session. that last shot is killing me-perfect!!!!
lyndsay hyatt-almeida says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 12:10 PM

lovin' this session. that last shot is killing me-perfect!!!!
Carrie Hagen says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 12:07 PM

Gina you look amazing in Red! And check out those boots! Great pictures!!!
Alexandra says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 11:25 AM

Love that last one :)
eliesa says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 11:09 AM

Oh Gina! You NAILED your outfit! :0) Love these, Love Gina and Love Sarah...LOVEe
paula Leme says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 11:01 AM

i love it all! seriously :)
Leah says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 10:59 AM

Absolutely amazing. G - they totally got you.

johnwaire | photo says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 10:51 AM

schweeet series!

Jessica says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 10:50 AM

These photos are gorgeous and show Gina's fun playful personality. She is beautiful on the inside and outside and these photos showcase her beauty! Thanks for sharing.

Laura Ivanova says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 10:50 AM

OMG Gina you look gorgeous (as always!)... but these images are truly amazing! WOWSERS girl!
John Edgar says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 10:38 AM

These are simply amazing.. that last frame is so inspired.. the colours, the tones, everything. Perfection.

Rebecca Hansen says: Monday, November 9, 2009, 10:28 AM

I can't wait for our turn in a few weeks!