Everyone's doing it,

No pun intended..

Wedding season is in full swing and I have been super thankful to have been able to work with such cool people lately.  Getting right to the middle of one of my craziest summers, I cannot say thank you enough to everyone who has been so patient, sincer, and tolerant of my photo ninja shenanigans and/or outlandish behavior,

Anyways I'm trying to get up to date with some of my personal favorite shots from this year's wedding work,

Thank you for being my clients and supporters, my friends, and for including me in such a momentous day in your lives,

Rhys 

Peripherals

Lately I've been reminded why I love what I do. 

After a three day stint chasing hidden falls, fjording raging swollen rivers, bushwacking through jungles, taking some devil's club in the face, sleeping in the back of my truck and eating fire-roasted McDonalds, I couldn't be more stoked on one of the most "unsuccessful," weekends in my photo career.  

But with not one run made down what Fred Norquist and crew refer to as monster 'stouts,' It wasn't anything but pure thankfulness and warm fuzzy feelings for Washington all over again.  With sketchy landings in shallow pools, low flow, or raging overflow, every potential drop the guys checked out just wasn't working out. 

But if dedication was a rare jungle disease, just like the monkey from Outbreak, these guys caught it and made it spread.  Bummer after bummer, smiles never left, and vengeful return was inspired at each failed mini-mission.

I realized on my way across Steven's Pass at 2:30 am that if the worst thing about the entire weekend was that I hiked to three of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen, spotted a bear, caught the sunset ferry, ate some of the best pulled pork bbq known to man, and slept under more stars than I've seen my entire life, then it probably wasn't that bad of a weekend after all.

Here's to living each day as if it were your last, because some day that will be true.

-Rhys

Upper right of the falls, look for Ryan

Fred's the only dude I know who is man enough to camp with a purple silk pillow...

GreaseFest 2011

In case you hadn't noticed, it rains in Washington.  In case you're not from Bellingham, it rains alot in Bellingham.  So often in fact, that most Washington and/or Bellingham natives possess a certain level of badass that allows them to do the rad things they do, no matter what the weather.  What's the big deal about a few gallons of water saturating the earth, clothes, shoes and gear you're sporting?  To local up and coming mountain biker Brian Mullen and videographer Ben White, its not much of one.  I got to see them in action Friday July 1 as Ben and I trekked down  about a 50-degree grade, Northwest jungle trail that was difficult to even walk down, much less huck your carcass down on 30 pounds of metal and gears. Complete with sliding mud and clay action, we went from spot to spot, Ben filming Brian fly through what Brian called the classic Pacific Northwest "grease."  

I was stoked to be outside and shooting, but I may have had to remind myself of it once or twice as the mudwater slowly soaked in and crept higher up my carharts.  Some serious bro-fiving and smiles were still flying around as well though, as Brian killed line after line, shredding the way you might expect the 6th place finisher at the Northwest Cup on Mt Hood and junior expert overall champ to shred, but not an 18 year old kid. It made me wonder what I was doing when I was 18... Most likely still learning how to read.

On a nice empty Friday we had the trail to ourselves.  It was probably a good thing too, since our small media frenzy party may have sounded like a busy Tokyo street.  Somehow we settled on the uncomplicated and yet very sophisticated method of drop calling, by letting a couple of nice loud "beep-beeps," out.  Two beeps for ready, and one beep for not ready.  Although a few 'whoop whoops' may have slipped out here and there, I was impressed that it did actually save us alot of confused, loud howler monkey hollering.  

With an injury free, (and only two wipeouts) solid 6 hours worked on the slick trail of death (as I endearingly dubbed it in my mind)  We made it back out to the car.  Heres to getting out and making sure you tell yourself it is actually summer, despite what mother nature tries to tell you.  

-Rhys

GALLERY

   

A man and his dolly

Vantage point denied. Looking for new perspective Ben learns that wood mixed with rain turns into rotten wood, and also a meniscus trap.

Always a sign of a good trail when you find pieces of other bikes..

Applesox vs Corvallis Game #3, win #2

The Applesox took another win against the Corvallis Knights Wednesda, June 22, 2011. Winning 11-6 the Applesox capitalized on key hits and and a couple of big errors by the Knights. 

I only got to stay for 7 innings, having to drive back to Bellingham to get some serious work done on weddings. I can't wait to get back in a couple weeks and be in Wenatchee all summer.

-Rhys

GALLERY