We are so sorry that Behind The Veil has been on a temporary hiatus, but we are back with a brand new episode featuring Kaja Foat of Foat Design.  For those Brides that love the thought of wearing a family member's gown, but also want your own flare, this is THE OPTION for you!  Although I would love to go on and on about what else they do, I will let Kaja speak for herself!

Foat Design "Behind The Veil" from Staja Studios on Vimeo.

Here are a few images featuring Foat's Designs!


Foat Design's Website
Email Foat Design
Foat Design's Telephone Number: 1 (800) 658-1448

So I just got back a few days ago from Las Vegas for the annual photographers pilgrimage to WPPI.  As some of you may know, I have been involved with a tremendous organization for a while called Thirst Relief.  I had the opportunity to go on a benefit trip to Tanzania, Africa with them in 2009, and it was literally a life-changing experience.  Fast forward to this past fall, and they asked if I would spearhead the planning of their benefit shoot held during WPPI.  I was honored and thrilled to be involved.  While I'll talk more about the shoot as a whole in a later post, I learned a valuable lesson in photography and life in general. 

We had a day shoot and a night shoot.  These next two images came while David Beckstead was discussing some things.  He is constantly looking for unique uses of light and shadow and compositions.  The first shot is what I would consider "the safe shot".  A video light was being shown through the metal grid at a bus stop.   



Although I love a lot of elements in it, I was looking for something more dramatic.  I wondered if it would be possible to shoot at an angle through the grid and capture both of their faces.  What I came up with was something I never expected.  Somehow the grid looks behind the couple although it is in front of them.  To me this image adds a new level of impact.  The way the light spreads into the frame, the grid creating lines, etc.  Long story short, the lesson I learned was that sometimes it's best to slow down, trust your instincts, and look for new ways to shoot the same scene!  Here was the image, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Stacey and I just got back from a long but awesome wedding and I wanted to share a quick sneak peek from the day.  I just love how the fresh snow made everything feel so fresh and beautiful!

So recently I was looking for some inspiration for an upcoming fundraiser that I am helping to pull together and plan on the behalf of Thirst Relief International.  We enlisted the help of Kaja Foat with Foat Design to come up with a fun and unique dress for the shoot.  Drawing from a "MadMen" feel for inspiration, she came up with a 50's/60's short dress with a long veil. 

At any rate, I was searching for inspiration on grooms attire for a dress like this, and thought I would see what I could find on JFK and Jackie's wedding.  What I found made me stop and think about wedding photography and the images we produce as Minneapolis wedding photographers.  I couldn't help but be impressed with how relevant and stylish these images still are after almost 60 years later!  Now, not everyone is the Kennedy's, but the pictures don't say dated, trendy, or anything but timeless (The Image Below Is From Life).

Stacey and I have set out to create a similar experience and finished product for our clients.  We look at wedding pictures as something not only for the couple, but as heirlooms for their children also.  In order to do this, we try to keep our pictures clean, crisp, and full of emotion.  I would be curious to get your thoughts on what you think of the Kennedy's Wedding Pictures and it's timeless quality? 

I wanted to take a moment out of the day to say Happy Valentines Day everyone!  Plus, a special HAPPY VALENTINES day to the love of my life, wife, and better half of Staja Studios, the lovely Stacey Thon!

Long before being Minneapolis wedding photographers was even a thought in our minds, we were married in the back yard of her parents house.  Although it's not our anniversary, on this day of love, I thought I would share a picture from our wedding.

Happy Valentines everyone and I Love You Bird!