Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 05:55 PM
Last week we headed down the coast to celebrate our anniversary. We first stopped in Portlandia and "put a bird on it." Our first stop was at the worlds greatest bookstore, Powell's Books which is literally like entering a universe of books floor to ceiling. I went a little crazy in the photography section. I have a... ahem... a problem with splurging on beautiful visual coffee table books. I scored at Powell's and found one I have admired from afar for a while by Avedon and also treated myself to a beautiful Norman Jean Roy book. Needless to say I was a very happy girl. I'm typically not a big Pastrami Sandwich gal, but we've heard great things about Kenny and Zuke's Delicatessen and we were not disappointed! If you ever get a mad hankering for pastrami (I don't know who would, but whatever!) and you're near Portland, you should check it out. Chris and I just spent the rest of the day in Portland vintage furniture shopping and walking around the city together. Unfortunately, we didn't find any special gems to add to our blankhaus, but that really just would have been icing on the cake anyway. We grabbed a delish dinner at Clyde Common which was conveniently connected to our hotel. A big thank you to those of you who recommended such wonderful eats via twitter. I wish we had more time to experience them all, but since Portland is so close we are back there often.

The next morning we grabbed some breakfast from Mothers in Portland and hit the road for Cannon Beach. When we got there, the sun was just breaking through the clouds and it was a nice "toasty" 55 degrees! Ironically enough, this is one of my very favorite qualities about this beach. I'm not a huge fan of being in a swimsuit... I tend to blind people, totally unintentionally, of course ;) I'm just a pasty human, I can't help it. So for me, I like to stick to my "jacket beaches" it's the only way. We caught one of the most breath taking sunsets of my life on the evening of our anniversary. It was perfect in every way. The sun nestled behind the big goonie rocks and Chris and I were just happy as could be. I'm thankful to live this life... It is bigger and more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.


Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (40)
Kelsey Reely says: Monday, August 22, 2011, 03:34 PM

my phone must be on the fritz since I can't imagine you would come to Ptown and not call me!!!! Would love to see you soon. xoxo

Kelsey Reely says: Monday, August 22, 2011, 03:32 PM

my phone must be on the fritz since I can't imagine you would come to Ptown and not call me!!!! Would love to see you soon. xoxo

Kelsey Reely says: Monday, August 22, 2011, 03:32 PM

my phone must be on the fritz since I can't imagine you would come to Ptown and not call me!!!! Would love to see you soon. xoxo

Sarah-Jane says: Sunday, August 21, 2011, 11:53 PM

As always, AMAZING pics guys!
Happy Anniversary!
xxx

Sarah-Jane says: Sunday, August 21, 2011, 11:52 PM

As always, AMAZING pics guys!
Happy Anniversary!
xxx

Sarah-Jane says: Sunday, August 21, 2011, 11:51 PM

As always, AMAZING pics guys!
Happy Anniversary!
xxx

Jarusha Brown says: Friday, July 15, 2011, 10:00 PM

You two are so cute! Looks like a lovely trip :)

Sharon says: Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 08:21 PM

Hi there, sweet couple!
Here is sharon from brazil just saying hello :)
I am passing thru a really hard time here in personal life and it is making me think a lot about my photography.
I stoped for a while and came here to find love and inspiration. You two always give that with your beautiful photos.
Just want to say thank you!
happy anniversary!
Love,
Sharon

francis says: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 11:57 PM

happy anniversary. from a fan in socal. keep inspiring and sharing. you rock sarah!

francis says: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 11:56 PM

happy anniversary. from a fan in socal. keep inspiring and sharing. you rock sarah!

Emily says: Sunday, July 10, 2011, 01:55 PM

Love these pictures! So inspiring!

tif says: Sunday, July 10, 2011, 10:42 AM

at the end I wanted to scream..Kiss Kiss- I guess I wanted a kissing picture:) ha!! happy Anniversary your love is All!!

lauren clark says: Saturday, July 9, 2011, 12:31 PM

Cannon Beach is my favorite place on earth

danielle says: Friday, July 8, 2011, 05:00 PM

congrats on your anniversary! Looks like you two had a ton of fun on your trip :) Miss you guys.

d

Jenn Stark says: Friday, July 8, 2011, 11:46 AM

So cool to see Portland/Cannon Beach thru your eyes, just a few days before we explored the area ourselves -- the beach sunset ones are just magic. Especially love the birds in the clouds. xo

Derren says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 08:10 PM

Such a fun post guys! First of all, love all the images from Portland and the beach--we miss Oregon! Second of all, those potatoes look delicious. Loved having a window in on your vacation/anniversary! And congrats :-).

Derren says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 08:10 PM

Such a fun post guys! First of all, love all the images from Portland and the beach--we miss Oregon! Second of all, those potatoes look delicious. Loved having a window in on your vacation/anniversary! And congrats :-).

Derren says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 08:09 PM

Such a fun post guys! First of all, love all the images from Portland and the beach--we miss Oregon! Second of all, those potatoes look delicious. Loved having a window in on your vacation/anniversary! And congrats :-).

the detailed life says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 02:29 PM

Yay for Oregon love!

Whitney Schey says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 09:33 AM

It's easy as a photographer to be intimidated by other REALLY talented photographers... but I never ever leave your blog feeling intimidated, or anything like it. I leave feeling INSPIRED and EXCITED to be courageous in my next undertaking. You fuel my creative pieces. Thank you.

rich says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 09:11 AM

happy anniversary to you and chris! absolutely beautiful images!

Anda says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 08:46 AM

Okay, I am so jealous of your Cannon Beach images -- they are to die for, as always. It was your previous Cannon Beach photos that made me want/need to see it in the first place. However ... when I was there? Last week? It was super sunny, 80+ degrees and jam-packed with people. Not majestic at all! I guess I didn't understand its allure. But your photos have once again convinced me to try going when it's overcast and chilly. I also prefer the non-swimsuit beaches. xoxo.

Shokoofeh says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 04:29 AM

Truly awesome photos! :)

Lea Hartman says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 04:29 AM

Those are awesome! Love your shades too!

wrecklessgirl says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 12:54 AM

in love.

leah zawadzki says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 12:00 AM

crazy wonderful. happy anniversary.

sk says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 10:59 PM

man...this looks like old man winter here compared to the sweat box we are in here in oklahoma!

hayley says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 10:31 PM

so lovely as usual. and I'm jealous you guys are wearing jackets in summer.

kati says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 10:17 PM

i grew up at the beach and now live in portland. always love seeing people enjoying my world. when i first started going through the pics, for some reason i thought "i'm about to see a pic of the waffle window!" hahaha :)

Dave Stark says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 09:44 PM

Absolutely love these images guys!!! They really tell a great story of your trip.

Megan Eckers says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 08:51 PM

STUNNING.

Meredith says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 08:07 PM

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. loved the shout out to portlandia. but seriously, you guys have an incredible amount of talent. love it all.

Valerie (Colibriphoto) says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 07:16 PM

Absolutely GORGEOUS! You are such an inspiration to me Sarah... Thank you.

Jade Sheldon says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 07:15 PM

Happy anniversary to the two of you! Portland is my home town and I attended PNCA wich is just a few blocks away from Powell's. I spent nearly every afternoon there which probably explains my ridiculously large book collection. I must admit I also have a taste for expensive coffee table books, especially ones concerning illustration and photography.

And I know just how you feel about the beach: I too am blindingly white so the mild beach weather definitely suits me better :)

These images are stunning!

Katie says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 07:01 PM

These are freaking incredible. Seriously. Dying over them.

Michelle Stone says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 06:52 PM

you guys are ridiculously, insanely talented!! and the 3rd to last shot of the girls on the beach at sunset took my breath away. xo.

Hanna says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 06:26 PM

love these! congrats!!!

Annie says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 06:14 PM

The shots of you on the beach are stunning - you are beautiful Sarah! (and Chris!) :)

PS: I have similar shoes to those Sarah, only mine don't have holes in them - now I'm tempted to cut some in myself! :)

Christian says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 06:14 PM

Epic shots! Love your work.

alyda says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 06:08 PM

i heart you two. beautiful photos and people.

Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:24 AM
Four years ago today I was lucky enough to marry my fine gent. I thought I loved him more than I could ever love someone on June 30, 2007; but four years later I am amazed at how much my heart has grown in affection and admiration for this wonderful man. It is hard to believe we have been married for four years. In some ways I feel like it was just yesterday, but in other ways I am so aware of how much both of us have grown, up and together, during the past four seasons.

There is no other person I would rather be gallivanting the world with, scheming big dreams with and living life with. We are a team. The first year of marriage was a lot of figuring out what it really meant to be a team, and everyday we are still learning about what it looks like to die to self & serve the other before ourselves. There is no one else I would want in my corner with me.  Those of us who find one to call our own who can truly be our teammate in life are the lucky ones of the world. Not everyone is so fortunate to have that in a partner, I recognize that and am so so thankful. 

For our first anniversary Chris surprised me and took me down to Canon Beach in OR, I fell in love with the place. I'm not sure if it was the leftover remnants of the Goonies or just the overall feeling of stepping into a sort of Narnia, but I have loved it ever since. This year we're going back and I can't wait to walk around the beach with a hoodie on my head, a latte in hand and the most amazing man in the world at my side. :)

Thoughts
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steph says: Monday, July 18, 2011, 06:04 PM

Beautiful! I would love to see one of your wedding photos! :)

steph says: Monday, July 18, 2011, 06:04 PM

Beautiful! I would love to see one of your wedding photos! :)

Whitney Schey says: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 09:30 AM

It's easy as a photographer to be intimidated by other REALLY talented photographers... but I never ever leave your blog feeling intimidated, or anything like it. I leave feeling INSPIRED and EXCITED to be courageous in my next undertaking. You fuel my creative pieces. Thank you.

Becky says: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 11:48 AM

Happy (belated) anniversary!! True teammates are what make this life livable - and super awesome. ;)

wrecklessgirl says: Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 02:20 AM

so happy for you two! :) yesterday, i was just looking at that image of you two at cannon beach!

Kristen says: Sunday, July 3, 2011, 08:22 PM

Aw, what a great post! Happy (now belated) anniversary!

Kristen says: Sunday, July 3, 2011, 08:21 PM

Aw, what a great post. Happy (now belated) anniversary!

Katja says: Saturday, July 2, 2011, 01:27 PM

Happy anniversary to you - and to us, because 30th of June is our 5th anniversary too! :-)

Mumsie says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 09:37 PM

Happy anniversary! I just remember all the water on that day. Haven't seen rain around here for days now. Lucky to have such a wonderful daughter and son in law!

Kathryn Bradley says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 05:52 PM

Happy anniversary, you two! Hope you have a fabulous time in Canon Beach!

Alyda says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 03:13 PM

Love you two!

hayley says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 01:32 PM

Congrats you guys :) Enjoy your special day.

AmyPunky Photography says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 12:36 PM

Happy anniversary! What a sweet post about your husband!

neil says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 11:16 AM

Nice, Congratulations. I wish you many more anniversaries like this one. Greetings from Switzerland. neil

Dorothy says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 11:14 AM

love you two so much. enjoy this weekend, each other and Jesus :)

LINDSEYBELLE says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 10:28 AM

Incredible. I got shivers reading what you wrote. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Jon says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 09:53 AM

Congrats on the 4 years. Dying to ones self can be such a hard thing to do but when you find someone who makes it a bit easier, it makes life so much fun. Enjoy your break at Canon Beach.

Rachel Pick says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 09:48 AM

Congratulations you two! It is truly a gift to share life with someone you can grow with, inspire & support the other. Keep looking forward together and enjoy celebrating love! Inspiring.

rich says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 09:20 AM

congratulations! hope you guys have a great time!

Celine says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:58 AM

you both are so sweet! I love this photo, and the quote at the top. Love definitely makes me glad.

congratulations you two! happy annivesary ♥

yana says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:57 AM

May the love that you share Last your lifetime through, As you make a wonderful pair. Happy Anniversary. :)

monika rae says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:47 AM

You two are an incredible team. May your hearts be full of delight and wonder as you visit Cannon Beach again!

Megan Eckers says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:46 AM

What a wonderful post...such beautiful thoughts. :) Happy Anniversary!

Chantal says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:46 AM

Happy anniversary... you guys are adorable. Can't wait to see photos from Canon!

Andrea Brown says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:45 AM

Thank you for sharing this... To find someone who is truly 100% your equal is a rare thing and so precious. congrats on 4 wonderful years!!

julie harmsen says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:43 AM

happy anniversary you two love kittens!

Celine says: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 08:37 AM

you both are so sweet! I love this photo, and the quote at the top. Love definitely makes me glad.

congratulations you two! happy annivesary ♥

Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:05 AM
We shot pretty Jane over a month ago and although I have been dying to get my editing hands on these for a while and it seems like every time I try there has been another project or job that comes up that needs to take precedent. But Tuesday I finally got the time to sit down and play a little bit. I experimented with this shoot. I taught myself some new things in post. I had a lot of fun exercising some new "muscles." 

The other day I asked a photography mentor of mine what they believe was the magic sauce that gave the photography legends their career longevity? The answer really resonated with me... in short the answer was, the photographers who keep pushing themselves and never become stale or stagnant in their work are the ones with the legendary careers of creative success. Of course there are many factors that play into someones success, but at it's very simplest form it seems as though that is the case in many of the greats throughout history. When I look at the work of great photographers such as Avedon, Nachtwey, Leibovitz they all seem to carry this trait of continued exploration in their respective bodies of work. Although these photographers had a definite style they never became too predictable. I've been challenged with this and am really exploring how to continue to cultivate that same spirit in my work. I think it is something we have to be intentional about or before we know it we have slipped into the human default of comfort. After all, what artist doesn't want to have that kind of delicious and flavorful magic sauce? That type of mastery never comes in a single great image, but rather an evolved body of work over the course of time. I am so inspired by this idea, I hope you can be too.

Model: Jane of Heffner Management
Makeup/Hair: Tiffany Colors






Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (28)
Elise Scott says: Monday, August 22, 2011, 06:47 PM

You're photos are honestly outstanding! I feel so inspired!

MaryS says: Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 12:22 PM

Beautiful work! I've enjoyed looking through all of your photos. Great eye!

MaryS says: Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 12:13 PM

Your images are amazing. I'm enjoying my lunch, perusing through all of them. Great work!

Rachel Peters says: Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 06:52 PM

These images all blow my mind!!! Love each and every one!

hayley says: Monday, June 27, 2011, 08:56 AM

absolutely beautiful work.

Caitlin Sullivan says: Friday, June 24, 2011, 12:42 PM

Love that last shot! Amazing!

Patricia Takacs says: Friday, June 24, 2011, 08:28 AM

Wow this is an amazing set, it looks like it comes from another time--her expressions are beautiful and your compositions are superb!

Patricia Takacs says: Friday, June 24, 2011, 08:28 AM

Wow this is an amazing set, it looks like it comes from another time--her expressions are beautiful and your compositions are superb!

the detailed life says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 04:41 PM

last frame- perfect!

Annie says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 04:28 PM

Where/what is that store!? I must go there! :) These are amazing, you are constantly raising the bar and challenging creative thinking. I love! :)

todd hunter mcgaw says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 03:33 PM

mmm. challenging indeed.. love.it. :)

Rensche Mari says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 01:46 PM

Oh, you and Chris are so talented! You can never be predictable, I LOVE YOUR WORK SO MUCH! You always inspire me to push myself to be better.

Rensche Mari says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 01:46 PM

Oh, you and Chris are so talented! You can never be predictable, I LOVE YOUR WORK SO MUCH! You always inspire me to push myself to be better.

Maranda says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 01:11 PM

Beautiful images... love the Headdress.

Amanda VanVels says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 12:58 PM

wow i'm blown away! that polaroid is $$$$$

Lindsey Edwards says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 12:16 PM

I work for Millie and so I've inevitably followed & loved your blog forever and ever- but I HAD to comment on this post. Sarah these shots are ridiculously beautiful and inspiring! Thank you for something new and fresh that pushes past the endless sea of "cute girls looking at maps, wearing bows, and holding flowers". I am in LOVE with every single image.

caroline lee says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:51 AM

the last 3 images = to die for!

Kerry says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:36 AM

wow, so beautiful! your images always take me to a wonderful place, you are magic.

anda says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:36 AM

wow; just wow.

Kerry says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:35 AM

wow, so beautiful! your images always take me to a wonderful place, you are magic.

anda says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:35 AM

wow; just wow.

Michelle says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:30 AM

I think this is the best shoot I've seen on your blog yet!! (And that's saying a lot.) Absolutely gorgeous stuff.

kaethe says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:30 AM

gorgeous. second to last shot makes me feel fuzzy inside. :)

kaila regina says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:29 AM

lalalalalove. the words & the images.

gladys says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:28 AM

SO TRUE! You are such an inspiration Sarah! Thank you for sharing.

Andria Lindquist says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:28 AM

that pink silk frame is wonderful. so is the feeling, the variety. the 2nd to last shot is beautiful.

Rafael Shea says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:27 AM

you are A M A Z I N G. just sayin

Rafael Shea says: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 11:25 AM

you are amazing, just sayin

Thursday, May 19, 2011, 12:13 PM
The other day at lunch we were sitting down with our new friend, Tori, who has spiked out, short black hair, works on cars and develops video games. Tori is such a champ. We were asking her about the life-cycle of her AH-mazing hair (which is really what us girls spend half our lives talking about) she told us she was born a blonde.... none of us at the table believed her so she whipped out the most beautiful photo of herself as a little girl. In the image Tori was about three-years-old and she was eating an ice cream cone, half of it was dripping down her face. I loved everything about it. And of course, Tori did in fact have bleach blonde hair.

Aside from my shock that this was the same person, it really made me think... I wish it was federal mandate that all of us were required to walk around with big necklaces around our necks displaying a photo of ourselves when we were children. Photos of ourselves in that completely uninhibited state of mind (preferably eating ice cream!!). First of all, it would no doubt bring about a lot of interesting conversation, but more importantly, I think if we could just view one another as children we would have a greater capacity for grace, compassion and understanding. Whenever I get frustrated with someone, I just try and think of them as the awesome tiny human that they once were... because after all, we are all just a little taller, a little fatter, and with some slight to extreme hair modifications.

Thoughts
Add a Comment View Comments (17)
Megan Eckers says: Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 10:00 AM

:) :) :)

Couldn't agree more.

Megan Eckers says: Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 09:59 AM

:) :) :)

Couldn't agree more.

Megan Eckers says: Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 09:57 AM

:) :) :)

Couldn't agree more.

Mary Marantz says: Friday, May 20, 2011, 02:45 PM

Love this Sarah!!

tina says: Friday, May 20, 2011, 04:50 AM

Sarah...thank you...thank you for seeing the world the way you do and for sharing it with us all!! much love from the land of AUZ!

tina says: Friday, May 20, 2011, 04:49 AM

Sarah...thank you...thank you for seeing the world the way you do and for sharing it with us all!! much love from the land of AUZ!

Kristin says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 08:29 PM

That is a fantastic thought. :)

Meredith A says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 05:11 PM

What a beautiful way to think. Thanks for this, Sarah :)

Meredith A says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 05:11 PM

What a beautiful way to think. Thanks for this, Sarah :)

julie fitts says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 04:13 PM

ha, so true. that's a great perspective. :)

Annie says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 03:51 PM

Good idea! :)

applem00n says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 02:59 PM

beautiful insight

the detailed life says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 02:20 PM

funny. yeah, this is a good idea. everyone's constantly saying how much my 14 month old looks just like his daddy... yes, he does... but they say that mostly because of his extremely blonde hair, that his dad also has... only I had super blonde hair too when I was his age, and nautis (my son) actually looks so much like how i looked... grrr!
I took a photo of myself like this, for that reason. it's up on my old blog. this photo just reminded me of that.

Rich Park says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 01:32 PM

so true how much people change as they grow up - what a great way to see things!

Jenn Stark says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 12:39 PM

How great would that be?? Awesome idea! :)

Cyndy says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 12:37 PM

Wow such an awesome idea. I train and work with teachers who work with students with severe behavior and psychiatric disorders. I am going to use your idea..it's powerful when working a kid through a meltdown to remember the cute tiny humans they were. THANKS!! Love love love your work also!

Stacie says: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 12:34 PM

um, yeah, you're pretty amazing...just sayin...and I say that to the little you and the now you.

(is that strange to say when I don't even know you? meh. this is a great post, your pictures are amazing therefore SO ARE YOU)