Twin Cities Wedding Photographers | Staja Studios Blog, specializing in MN Weddings http://stajastudiosblog.com/ The blog of Minneapolis wedding photographers, Staja Studios. International wedding photographers who specialize in MN weddings and Minneapolis wedding photography. en Copyright 2011 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:35:52 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Sara & Michael - Minikahda Club Wedding Ceremony:         Lake of The Isles Lutheran
Reception:         Minikahda Club
Floral Design:    Serendipity Flowers
Transportation:  Twin Cities Trolleys
Entertainment:   Jerry O'Hagen's Orchestra

We recently had the pleasure of photographing Sara & Michael's wonderful wedding!  Their day started off at Lake of The Isles Lutheran Church and was followed at the beautiful Minikahda Club which seemed to perfectly fit the mood and feel of their wedding. 

At the reception, guests were treated to an amazing view of Minneapolis and Lake Calhoun from the deck during the cocktail hour, fantastic food, and the swinging sounds of Jerry O'Hagen's Orchestra!

 We had a fantastic time and would like to wish Sara and Michael the absolute best on their new life together.

We encourage you to take a peek at some of the highlights from their wedding below.  We have also posted some additional images on our FB page, which we would love if you took a look and "liked" us while you are there.  Lastly, if you would be interested in purchasing any images from their wedding, you can register HERE.





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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/07/sara_michael_-_minikahda_club_wedding.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/07/sara_michael_-_minikahda_club_wedding.html Weddings Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:35:52 -0600 Sara & Michael - Wedding Teaser
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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/06/sara_michael_-_wedding_teaser.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/06/sara_michael_-_wedding_teaser.html Weddings Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:23:33 -0600 Minneapolis Wedding Photographers Present Behind The Veil Eps. 4



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If you would like to contact Jessica, here is her information:

Jessica's Cakes Website
Email Jessica's Cakes
Jessica's Cakes Telephone Number: (651) 291-7799


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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/05/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_present_behind_the_veil_eps_4.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/05/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_present_behind_the_veil_eps_4.html Behind The Veil Weddings Wed, 25 May 2011 10:42:03 -0600 Casey & Dann's La Jolla Wedding - Sneak Peek So after a day that felt like something from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Stacey and I are back from La Jolla, CA and ready for Easter with our kiddos!  We wanted to share a quick picture from Casey and Dann's beautiful wedding!  They were married at the gorgeous La Valencia just off the coast.  We will be posting more images later, but in the meantime, here is a sneak peek!

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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/04/casey_danns_la_jolla_wedding_-_sneak_peek.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/04/casey_danns_la_jolla_wedding_-_sneak_peek.html Weddings Sun, 24 Apr 2011 00:02:20 -0600 Water and Weddings! Since being invited to take part in the Grace Ormonde/Thirst Relief Benefit Shoot in Tanzania, Africa during the summer of 2009, Thirst Relief has remained a cause that Stacey and I have been very involved with. 

Fast forward to this past year and I was asked by the founder of Thirst Relief, Jim Davis-Hicks, if I would help plan their WPPI Benefit Shoot.  The concept was to piggy back off the success of the Tanzania trip while adding an educational component.  We brought together some world class instructors (David Becstead,  Mike Colon, David and Luke Edmonson, JVS, and Richard Sturdevant).   In addition, we had local designer Foat Design, make two gowns.  Brandi Brownlee stylize the event, head pieces by Preston & Olivia, and Pixels2Canvas sponsored dinner!  Needless to say it came together very well. 

This year one of the things we really wanted to do was increase exposure and we accomplished this with the help of Junebug Weddings.  Junebug was so gracious to agree to publish some highlights from the event.  This was fantastic because it helped bring exposure to the entire wedding community.  Plus I am happy to say that they chose a couple of my images to feature in the post. 

One of the things that I like about Junebug is that they place a high importance on photography!  This makes sense as it was started by three former photographers :).  If you are looking for some wedding inspiration, you should check them out.  

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If you are interested in learning more about Thirst Relief, I encourage you to look into how $5 can help provide a family with a long-term sustainable clean water solution.  And, since no post is as cool without pictures, here are some of my favorite images that I took from the day!

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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/03/water_and_weddings.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/03/water_and_weddings.html Miscellaneous Studio News Weddings Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:04:54 -0600 Minneapolis Wedding Photographers Present Behind The Veil Eps. 3 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!

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If you would like to contact Kaja, here is her information:

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


Contact Staja Studios | View The Portfolio of Staja Studios, Minneapolis Wedding Photographers | Follow Staja Studios on Facebook


]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/03/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_present_behind_the_veil_eps_3.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/03/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_present_behind_the_veil_eps_3.html Behind The Veil Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:05:18 -0600 Taking A Step Back 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.   

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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!

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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/taking_a_step_back.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/taking_a_step_back.html Bits & Bites Miscellaneous Weddings Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:55:54 -0600 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow 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!

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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/let_it_snow_let_it_snow_let_it_snow.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/let_it_snow_let_it_snow_let_it_snow.html Weddings Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:53:21 -0600 The Power of Timeless Wedding Images 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).

kennedy-life-278x400.jpgStacey 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? 


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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/the_power_of_timeless_wedding_images.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/the_power_of_timeless_wedding_images.html Behind The Veil Miscellaneous Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:48:21 -0600 Happy Valentines Day, especially to my love!
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!

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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/happy_valentines_day_especially_to_my_love.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/happy_valentines_day_especially_to_my_love.html Miscellaneous Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:04:04 -0600 Love Bites (at an apple orchard) Abbie and Eric were a couple who's wedding we shot this last fall.  As we were nearing the wedding, they were trying to come up with ideas for their engagement session.  Considering it was going to be on a beautiful fall day, we thought how fun would it be to go apple picking!  Being the fun sports they are, Abbie and Eric were totally game. 

Before wedding photography was even a gleam in my eye, I grew up just up the bluff from the river in a small town SW of Minneapolis called Carver.  When I was a kid I always remembered the signs from a nearby apple orchard.  We had done a wedding there and gone as a family a few times.  Needless to say, Stacey and I thought Minnesota Harvest would be a perfect place to go.

We ended up with gorgeous weather and the whole place essentially to ourselves.  We got some really fun pictures, not to mention a couple bags of apples (which Stacey made delicious homemade pies with).  At any rate, after looking at these pics, I am beginning to understand why Adam and Eve picked the apple!

To top the day off we went with Abbie and Eric for pizza afterward and ended up running into almost my entire family by coincidence.  It was pretty funny considering it was right after I just got done telling them I grew up nearby.  I still wonder if they believe it was by chance and not planned :). 




]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/love_bites_at_an_apple_orchard.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/love_bites_at_an_apple_orchard.html Engagements Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:37:56 -0600 Minneapolis Wedding Photographers Present Behind The Veil Eps. 2
Every once in a while, after photographing weddings long enough, we have the opportunity to work with someone who truly stands out as a master of his/her craft.  Someone not only great at what they do, but someone you want to get to know.  That was the case the first time we worked with Bill Hermann of Bill Hermann Entertainment!  Bill can simply be summed up as full of life, energy, and passion for what he does!  Although, I could say a lot more, I think we will let Bill speak for himself.  I encourage you to take a moment for episode two of "Behind The Veil" featuring Bill Hermann.

 

Behind The Veil: Eps. 2 - Bill Hermann from Staja Studios on Vimeo.

 


If you would like to contact Bill, here is his information:

Bill's Website
Email Bill
Bills Telephone Number: 952-440-1617

Contact Staja Studios | View The Portfolio of Staja Studios, Minneapolis Wedding Photographers | Follow Staja Studios on Facebook

]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_present_beyond_the_veil_eps_2.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_present_beyond_the_veil_eps_2.html Behind The Veil Cinema Miscellaneous Sun, 06 Feb 2011 20:07:42 -0600 Like It or Lump It As wedding photographers, we are naturally enthusiasts of the visual arts.  "Visual Arts" may mean something different for everyone.  Today, I want to talk about it in relation to tv!  For Stacey, that would definitely be reality tv.  For me, I'm still more of a sitcom/drama fan.  However, there has been one show that Stacey and I can both agree on, and that is "Off The Map".  I know there might be some people who like the show, but for us, this definitely falls in the LUMP IT category!  We all have heard the term "jump the shark", but usually it doesn't apply to the first two episodes.  The situational content while trying to be dramatic is just plain bad!  In some ways we found it so bad that we had to keep watching to see if it could get worse.
OffTheMap.jpgOn the other hand, I am giving an early LIKE IT for a different new show called "The Cape".  While I reserve total judgement for later, and think there is some room for overall improvement, I really enjoy the concept.  It has that comic book feel in graphics and text intros, yet follows the filming of a regular show.  One of the biggest things that I like is the interplay between the Hero, "The Cape"/Vince Faraday, and The Villain, "Chess"/Peter Flemming.  In addition, I like that they show "The Cape's" weaknesses and miscues, plus he's not all flashy with gadgets.  Lastly, they do a great job of showing the gray side of a lot of the characters.  Not everyone is good or bad. 
TheCape.jpg At any rate, let us know what you think of either show, we would love to hear your thoughts!


Contact Staja Studios | View The Portfolio of Staja Studios, Minneapolis Wedding Photographers | Follow Staja Studios on Facebook


]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/like_it_or_lump_it.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/like_it_or_lump_it.html Miscellaneous Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:56:38 -0600 Minneapolis Wedding Photographers Launch Life Stories Photography I have some very exciting news to share!  As our clients have started their lives together, some of them have started families.  We have wanted to stay a part of their lives and capture these new special moments.  In addition, Stacey has had the itch to expand her focus beyond weddings.  With that in mind, we are thrilled to share the beginning of Life Stories Photography.  Although we have been pulling everything together for awhile, Stacey officially launched the blog today!  The focus of Life Stories will be on families, children, and high school seniors.  Although I will be involved behind the scenes, Stacey will definitely be the face of Life Stories.  Please don't worry, this doesn't mean she will no longer be a part of Staja Studios.  She will still be actively involved! 

As I mentioned, the first official step was launching the blog!  She has some really great ideas for it, and I'm personally excited to see them come to life.  If you or someone you know is looking for portraiture with a lifestyle twist, I encourage you to check the new blog out.  If nothing else, please swing by and leave a comment wishing Stacey the best on the new venture.  While you are at it, we would love it if you "liked" Life Stories on Facebook!

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]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_launch_life_stories_photography.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/02/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_launch_life_stories_photography.html Families & Kids Studio News Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:43:43 -0600 Minneapolis Wedding Photographers Launch Bridal Resource Hey Everyone, I am so excited writing this post, as it has been a long time coming!  Stacey and I along with the unbelievable help of our newest Staja Team member, Ryan S. Johnson, have been working very hard on some new projects.  Although we love to write, we thought we would record a video message for the new announcements!

Staja Studios: Introducing Staja Cinema and "Behind The Veil" from Staja Studios on Vimeo.


With that as an introduction, please take a peek at our first episode of "Behind The Veil" with Lacie Swartzendruber of Pearls and Lace!

Behind The Veil - Pearls & Lace from Staja Studios on Vimeo.


We hope you enjoyed this first episode and be sure to check back for more, as we are busy getting new episodes ready for you.  We would love it if you would help spread the word to anyone getting married who you think might be interested in a new type of resource!


In closing, we would like to thank all our wonderful clients, family, and friends who have supported us and Staja Studios!  We truly wouldn't be here if it weren't for you!



Contact Staja Studios | View The Portfolio of Staja Studios, Minneapolis Wedding Photographers | Follow Staja Studios on Facebook



]]> http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/01/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_go_cinematic.html http://stajastudiosblog.com/2011/01/minneapolis_wedding_photographers_go_cinematic.html Behind The Veil Cinema Studio News Weddings Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:43:08 -0600