Wow, what a fun way to start off this week.  We got notified from the fabulous Summer, from Grey Likes Weddings, that Laura and Brett's engagement session is featured on her blog.  This blog is a great resource for wedding trends, inspiration, and all things "grey likes"!  Considering she is on the west coast, we were very honored as Minneapolis wedding photographers to be featured!  Be sure to go check out a few of the highlights she posted here!

Stacey and I are so excited to announce our new website!  As time has moved on and we got our new blog designed, our old site just wasn't fitting the feel of Staja Studios anymore.  We needed something really clean with big images to match what our visitors are used to seeing here.  With that said, we would like to reveal our take on modern elegance and present the new stajastudios.com!  We hope you like it and would be thrilled if you passed this on to anyone you think might enjoy it.

It always helps to have a little something nice to cushion the blow of snow when just a few hours earlier your toes were snuggled into the sand of the Atlantic Ocean.  Considering we had just left the sun and sand of Florida our spirits after a difficult plane ride were beginning to match the MN weather; however, we received a quick boost the next morning by receiving an e-mail that one of our images was featured along with a quote for a story on MN Bride''s website.  A fellow friend and photographer Katie Raivala had set up a shoot a while back and asked if we would join.  One of her friends wanted to conduct a "trash the dress" session and write a story about it.  Katie was curious if we had any ideas and wanted to participate.  I always love the opportunity to get creative so I was definitely on board.  Plus I think you can learn a lot by shooting with others.  Sometimes it is a new approach or looking at things a new way.  It had been a while since the shoot so I thought nothing had come of it, but imagine our surprise when I found out it was published online and they chose one of my images to feature.  You can read the story on MN Bride's site and view some of the additional images I took here.

So I figured it was about time that I try to post a few images while we are on our family vacation in Florida.  It all started a few months back when Stacey's sister was wanting us to go with her on a Disney Cruise.  She had just been through a very difficult year and wanted as much of her family to join her as possible.  After some very strong persuasion and an "offer we couldn't refuse", we decided to join her family.  Since we were going to be in Florida, we made plans to also spend some time with Stacey's parents in Naples and check in on some photographers we know in Miami. 

So far we have been blessed by wonderful weather and a great time.  We got to meet up with four of the people I went to Tanzania, Africa with and met some new friends.  My friends Ray Santana and Kenny Kim were holding the portfolio plus workshop at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, and while doing so, Laura Parker, Phillip Glickman, and David Burke were all coming in to attend or help.  We all share a unique bond by going to Tanzania on the behalf of Thirst Relief.  The next day we had plans to meet up with another photographer I met a few years ago at WPPI by the name of Carlos Baez.  When I told him we were going to be in town, he and his lovely wife invited us over for lunch.  They have the two cutest boys and were such gracious hosts. We had Cuban sandwiches (which I have grown to love) followed by the best Cuban coffee, and a wonderful conversation.  Carlos has been working in photography for over 20 years and has so much great information to share.  

We have one day left at Stacey's parents and then are on our way to the boat!  If all goes according to schedule I heard there will be a shuttle launch the morning we get back to dock.  If so, we should be able to watch it from the boat.  How cool is that!  We have been having a great time and will try to bring some of the Florida sun back with us!  Here are just a few odd and end pictures that we grabbed so far while on vacation. 

Visiting the Polynesian at Disney World where Stacey's sister and her family are staying





Lauren waiting for Tinker Bell to open up the fireworks (which she did if you look at the far right :)



Disney from across the bay at night



South Beach



The "house" that Versace built



This guy would sing on the side of Collins Avenue both days we were there



Starting Lauren off on the right foot!



At Naples chilling out with Stacey's parents









P.S.  If anyone has tried calling me, my phone went out of commission and we haven't been able to get it fixed.  Please either try Stacey or e-mail us!