Meet Ian!

Hey everyone,

Stacey and I would like you to meet the newest member of Staja Studios, Ian Jason Thon! Ian comes to us in good health, weighing 7lbs-14oz, and standing 20.5 inches tall. He decided to join us at 11:29AM on October 29, 2007. Needless to say, he very much looks forward to meeting you all.



In light of this new addition, we would like to ask for everyone's patience over the next few weeks, as we (I mean he) will be conducting some refresher courses.

P.S. We would like to thank all of our family, friends, and clients for their support through the pregnancy. You all are the greatest!!!!

In addition, we would like to say congratulations to Lauren and Ian's MeMa, as she won the Baby Pool. I have to say not a bad job, here was her guess:

1) Mema
2) Oct 29 @ 7:42pm
3) Boy
4) 7lbs 7oz

STAY TUNED FOR MORE PICTURES - ISN'T HE CUTE!

Jenny & Curt's Engagement Session

So we met Jenny and Curt through one of those referral trails that reads like a winding road. The moment we met with Jenny, we knew they were going to be our type of clients. She just seemed so prepared yet relaxed the day we met. To top it all off, Curt was studying for his boards as a radiologist (which he passed - CONGRATULATIONS).

When we started talking about the engagement session, we had discussed the possibility of fall or winter. We figured with the unpredictable nature of winter, we would at least for sure lock the fall in, and see how winter presents itself. Considering Curt proposed on the steps of the Cathedral in St. Paul, we started there. From there we walked to this beautiful tree lined street and then down Selby.
At that point, things became an adventure. We planned on going to Kellog Park but the road was closed off and traffic became ridiculous. We ended up at Mears Park and got some more fun images. When everything was done, we were going to go to Red's Savoy Pizza, but it would have been over an hour wait. We ended up at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill off of 7th Street, which we have always been pleased with. We had a great time sitting back and really getting to know the two of them better. This is always one of the best parts of our engagement sessions. By the time the wedding rolls around, it's more like we are just a couple of guests who have nice camera's. Needless to say we have the best clients anyone could wish for!

Don't forget to check out the slideshow from the day, and a few highlights below. We can't wait until the wedding you two, it's going to be a blast!

The Official Staja Studios Baby Pool

Hey everyone, we thought we would create a little game to see what you all were thinking about the soon to be newest member of Staja Studios? Come on, I know this was the first thing you thought of when you got up and the last thing you thought about when you went to sleep. Ok, maybe that is just us.

So the game goes like this.

If you would like to participate, you must leave a comment with the following:

1) Your Name
2) The date and time you think the baby will be born (to help out, the due date is Nov. 3rd)
3) Boy or Girl
4) Weight

The winner will be determined first by the correct date/time.
If there is a tie, it will go by boy/girl.
If there still is a tie, the person with the closest weight will win.

In addition, the winner will receive a prize to be announced later, but rest assured it will be something fun.

Thanks everyone, and be sure to stay tuned for who the winner is, and pictures of course.

P.S. If it were up to Stacey, she would go into labor tonight, so be sure to get your entries in quickly!!

Nina & Bruce's engagement session

Nina and Bruce were referred to us through Christine, who's wedding we did in September (Thanks guys). After we talked with Nina a couple of times, we decided to do the engagement in the sculpture garden. It sounded like Bruce had been there once before, but never really looked around. So we thought this would be the perfect place. Plus it gives a little taste of Minneapolis in the images. All in all, we couldn't have gotten a nicer fall day, and Nina & Bruce seemed to enjoy themselves.

Be sure to check out the slideshow and images below for a few of the highlights!




I'm working toward my mandatory 11 pieces of flare (Pop Culture Quiz - what movie was just referenced???)

Congratulations Nina & Bruce, we are looking forward to the big day!

Sydney's 3??

Wow, I just cannot get over how fast a year can go! Actually it's been close to a year and a half since I got to photograph this gorgeous family. Since then, Sydney has gone from baby to full-fledged little girl and even has a little brother to pick on now! I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have a job that lets me watch and capture a family grow. It really is incredible.

We met up at the Landscape Arboretum in Victoria. It was the perfect setting for a fall session and it didn't even rain! Not one drop...amazing! I am in love with so many of the shots I got, that it was really hard to narrow them down. Here are some favorites and there are more on the slideshow.

Jen, I know you're super excited to see these. Thanks for being patient!

Stacey

Michelle & Doug's Wedding

Hey everyone,

With the due date rapidly approaching and a lot of work to try and get done ahead of time, we wanted to make sure to get Michelle and Doug's wedding up to view!

Michelle and Doug were such a great couple to work with and had such a wonderful wedding. The day started at the church, where they had a very nice ceremony. Under the threat of rain, they had rented two limo's for after the ceremony and gave us free reign to go wherever we wanted to do the wedding party pictures. With our creative juices flowing and enough time, we wanted to give them a bit of the traditional, but with a twist. Stacey and I both love the use of existing architecture and contrasts that you come across on a daily basis. For these we went and used the existing water fountain/pond at Kellog Park and an abandon loading zone. Both provided their own unique style for the image.

After the limo tour, we finished up with the reception at 317 on Rice Park. As usual they did a fantastic job! They have always treated us well, and have done a great job with the weddings we have been there for. The reception was a blast to cover, as Bill Hermann emcee'd the event and had the entire dance floor full and having a good time. Needless to say everyone was enjoying themselves.

Without further adieu, here are some of the highlights, and don't forget to take a look at the slideshow!

I love the warm fall colors contrasted by the coolness of the rings

The bond of father and daughter

Doug's anticipation contrasted by the bitter sweet feeling of a dad letting go

The wedding party at Kellog Park

A wedding party from the Sopranos?

Bride and Groom

To only know what Doug was saying?

The head tables cake

Bill Hermann getting the guests going

One of the great things about two photographers (different angles) - Stacey's shot

Jason's shot


Thanks again and best wishes Michelle and Doug, we had such a great time!

Margie & Adam's Wedding

Hey Everyone,

We have gotten so far behind on our blogging, but are trying to catch up :) !!! Margie and Adam's wedding was a lot of fun to be a part of. We got a call from them, based on a few referrals they had received from previous clients. This is always great for two reasons.
1) because we know our previous work was appreciated
2) it is always so much fun to see people we know and find out how everything is going for them

We started the day off at the church and proceeded to take some pictures at their house after their wedding. They thought since it was close by that it would be fun to do the pictures of the wedding party there. Adam with the help of some others did the landscaping in the back of their home. It was gorgeous. The house overlooks a small lake, with some tiered retaining walls leading to it. Needless to say, he did a fabulous job.



Margie did a great job picking out her gown and those for the rest of the bridal party. They looked just fantastic. Plus it was a great choice of colors for the beginning of fall.

All in all it was just a gorgeous day with beautiful weather and a wonderful couple.

Don't forget to check out the pictures and slideshow of the day's highlights.

Margie coming up to see her groom


After they meet


Husband and Wife


The first dance


Congrats you two!!

The Johnsons

I know we have fallen behind a bit on blogging about our latest weddings and I promise to get them up very soon. In the meantime though, I wanted to show off some shots from the family portrait session I did last week. The Johnsons have a brand new addition and were in town having baby Marissa baptized. Her mom is the sister of one of our gorgeous 06 brides, so I already knew the whole family! They were staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house, which is where we did their session, so I got to reconnect with everyone, it was really nice. I am originally from Wisconsin, and it was very refreshing to see the house all decked out in Packer gear for the big Viking/Packer game. Living in MN for so long (and having married an AVID Vikings fan), I must say that sometimes my vision of who I should be rooting for gets a little clouded.

I had a great time hanging out and horsing around in the backyard with this sweet family. I came away with some really great shots AND a souvenir... a little Packer football for Lauren. Thanks Lynn! Jason looooooved it! (NOT!) :)

Check out this video. (Jason's going to kill me!)



Here are some shots from the session and a fun slideshow to watch too!

Thanks guys, I had a great time!

Stacey