As I sit here looking out at the snow, the Christmas tree, and take in the smell of the holidays, it makes me pause to think about friends, family, and loved ones both near and far.  It makes me think about the fun dinner we just enjoyed with Stacey's family.  It makes me think about the joy in our kid's eyes as they wake up in the morning.  It brings a smile to my face, and makes me want to do more in life.  The one thing I love about this time of year is creating traditions and memories.  Some of my favorite Christmas memories growing up were the simplest, but they almost always centered around traditions.  I am thankful for so much that sometimes I have to step back and take it all in. 

We hope that this Holiday Season has brought happiness and good memories to you all!  With that in mind, we at Staja Studios would like to wish all of you, particularly our family, friends, and clients a very Merry Christmas!  We are truly blessed for the part all of you have played in our lives!
 
In closing, here are a few images of some good times we shared this Christmas season!



 

So our awesome client, Aly, and mutual friend, Lacie, had a brilliant idea this fall.  Aly had so much fun at her wedding, that they thought it would be fun to play dress up again and do a "trash the dress" session :).  Most of the time we do these, we call it a day after session, but they both went and got a wedding dress, did a little of their own embellishing, and wanted to trash it!  In addition, as a florist, Lacie wanted to make some floral bouquets with a little more attitude then what she usually gets to.  We had everything all lined up to use some fall color, but the weather was not cooperating.  We decided to still give things a go.  Unfortunately, due to the inclimate weather, we ended up spending more time inside than originally planned, but it ended up making for a pretty fashionable backdrop.  Thankfully we brought one of our lights along, as it came in handy! 

We ended up having such a good time and shared a lot of laughs during the shoot.  Aly and Lacie both did a fantastic job and ended up braving the cold as dark approached, which allowed us to get some very cool images in a nearby tree grove/field.  Because of the shortened hours and everything else, we weren't able to shoot as long as planned.  However, we have already talked and are looking forward to continuing the session in the spring when it warms back up, giving these lovely ladies a chance to finish the trashing that they started!  If interested in contacting an awesome florist to do your flowers for an upcoming wedding or event, you can find Lacie here.  Without further delay, here are some highlights from the shoot!

So this past fall, we ended up doing a fun little shoot with Aly (one our past brides) and Lacie (florist extraordinaire from Pearls and Lace).  I was going through them again tonight to get some ready for a blog post later in the week, and came across this shot that Stacey took.  Needless to say I couldn't wait to get the rest done to post this one as a preview!  I am in LOVE with this image, let me know if you feel the same.  Isn't my wife great!

Stacey and I have been out of town shooting the 40th Anniversary Production of The Nutcracker for the Wausau Dance Theatre.  This is our fourth year or so of shooting this event, and each year I come away more amazed.  When asked, we like to think our photography is defined as modern elegance.  Well here is a preview of our photography meeting this classic art form!  I hope you like it as much as we do.

If you are looking for something to do today, you should come see the final performance at Wausau's Grand Theater at 1:30 PM.  If so, look for us as we are taking Lauren to go see it.

Stacey and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  We hope you all had a great day and were able to spend it with those you love.  We spent the day at my Dad's and had plenty of great food, too much pie, played some games, and just enjoyed being around family.  My sister actually asked me to get a few pictures of my nephew Tanner for his Sr. pictures.  The weather was a bit cold so we didn't have a lot of time and did it in a few shifts, but all said and done, I hope they like the results.  Here is a picture from later in the day.



Since it is the season of being thankful, Stacey and I wanted to say thank you to a few people. 

1) My Loving and Supporting Wife - This last year has been an exciting yet stressful one work related.  It has been the goal for both of us to be full time with the business and this ended up being the year!  It wasn't really the plan, but then again is there ever really a "good time" to take the plunge?  Stacey has been so supportive and my biggest advocate to make the jump.  Let's just hope she doesn't change her mind after having to work with me all the time :).

2) Our Families - We both come from wonderful families and owe so much of where we are to them.  From the work ethic and discipline they instilled in us when we were younger to the support that they give us in helping make our dreams come true, we wouldn't be here without our parents and the rest of our families!  I only hope that we can provide the same environment for our children to have a happy childhood, while providing the foundation for them to live out their dreams.

3) Our Clients - It may get to sound repetitive, but it bears repeating that we truly have the best job!  I can't imagine many other professions where you get to be with people and experience some of the most memorable events in their life.  Sometimes we find ourselves just having to step back and pinch ourselves about how lucky we are to get the opportunity to do what we love.  We would never have that chance without all of our wonderful clients!  We honestly feel so humbled and honored to be allowed to capture those special moments in your lives!  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

4) Our Friends - To our friends, both new and old.  Thank you very much for the insight, support, and countless hours you have shared with us.  We may not get to see you as much as we would like, but you all have given us something that time or distance can't take away, and those are incredible memories.  To all of our fellow photography and industry friends, we owe a debt of gratitude for all of the help and advice you have given us. 

5) My Tanzania Trip - To my friends from the Thirst Relief Trip in Tanzania, I thank you for one of the best experiences in my life!  I couldn't imagine there being a better group of people who were more accepting and unified in trying to make a difference.  You all our the best!  This was a trip that will have forever changed my life.  A special thank you goes out to Jim Davis Hicks and Mike Colón.  Jim, you are a man of amazing faith and dedication to a cause.  Your relentless pursuit in trying to help others is an inspiration and I am thankful for being able to call you a friend.  Mike, you have long been an inspiration to our business and a mentor.  You have always had the courage to follow your own path and blaze new trails.  Above all, your dedication in helping pull this group and trip together was exceptional.  On a personal level, thank you for helping push me off the cliff.  As you say, it's time to learn to swim!

For this weeks Tanzania Thursday, I took the following image of this incredible team (compliments of Phillip Glickman), from the Thirst Releif & Grace Ormonde Benefit Shoot Blog!

Top left to right: Me, Ben Harrison, Mike Colón, Jeff LaPlante, Luke Edmondson, Melissa Jill, Shane Melenbacker, Andrew Bryant, Jim Hicks
Bottom left to right: Ray Santana, David Burke, Phillip Glickman, our new friend Stephen Machua, and David Edmondson
Not pictured, but equally as awesome as everyone in this picture: Laura Parker, Michelle Walker, Kennedy and JP Pierce.

In closing, Thank You all for stopping by our little blog and continuing to come back!  We hope you had a great day!