Recently Stacey and I pulled together a fashion shoot for the Minneapolis PUG group that we host!  We worked with some great local talent to pull together a couple gorgeous custom couture gowns, fabulous floral design, models, hair, and make-up.  We had about 20 different photographers and split up into two different groups to try and maximize everyone's shooting time.  While Stacey and I weren't moving lights, getting reflectors, and trying to get everything going, we joined the fun and shot away!  It was a lot of fun to see other people's shooting styles and how they interacted with the models. 

With a recent whirlwind of activity, we finally had a chance to go through the images and pick a few of our favorites, which I have posted below.  We also want to take a moment to thank all of the great people who donated their time and talents, you all do amazing work!

Dress Designer:
Kaja Foat
Foat Design
www.foatdesign.com

Floral Design:
Lacie Swartzendruber
Pearls and Lace
pearls-and-lace.com

Make-up Artist: Collette Harrington

Hair: Aly Zacher

Model: Rachel Petrie (gown with black sash)

Model: Haley O'Brien (gown with copper sash)

Here were the very cool and original bouquets (and matching boutineers) designed by lacie of Pearls and Lace.

Jenna + Greg from Staja Studios on Vimeo.

What a great way to end the week.  Earlier this year while we were in Florida, we got an e-mail from Stephanie with the Savvy Chic Weddings blog.  Her blog is focused on providing brides with advice and inspiration for their wedding.  She had come across our name and work via Twitter and was interested in interviewing us and featuring a wedding for the Savvy Chic Weddings readers.  Considering we are Minneapolis wedding photographers and she lives in Boston, we were more than happy to hold a phone interview and think she did a fantastic job capturing our thoughts.  If you get a chance, we encourage you to go check out the feature which includes Jess and Bobby's wedding!

Wow, what a fun day I had in the Las Vegas area before all the chaos of WPPI started.  After getting back from my experience in Tanzania, Africa, I made a conscience decision to try and stay involved with Thirst Relief International.  When the chance to help out with a new fundraiser came up, I jumped at the opportunity.  Plus who could pass up working with three people that I not only have the utmost respect for, but also consider mentors and friends!  When I knew Mike Colon along with David and Luke Edmonson had committed to instructing the shoot, I knew it would be a success. 

For anyone who has had the opportunity to shoot with any of these guys, you know why.  Not only are they are all committed to the craft of photography, they have also helped a great deal of photographers along in their careers.  What I liked most about the concept of this shoot is that the participants would see the different approaches they take and get their own chance to direct the shoot for a while.  Mike has a more lifestyle approach to his photography, while the Edmonsons were brought on because of how well they utilize non-ambient light sources.  It was a total win/win for the participants and Thirst Relief.

In addition, even though I am primarily a Minneapolis wedding photographer, I always look for opportunities to shoot outside of home.  I find it very inspiring to work in new places, different light, and with other people.  It is so easy to become stuck in your approach and way of doing things that sometimes you just need to shake things up.  I always learn something new and come back more inspired!

I would like to thank everyone involved for their participation.  A lot of people gave of their time, skills, and money in an effort to save lives.  Despite the economic climate, I encourage anyone reading this to find a way to help others in need.  Even if you don't have available money, we all have some sort of skill that can be used to help others!   

In closing, here are a few of the images I particularly enjoyed from the day!

Sitting in front of my computer, I officially feel like I am home.  What a whirlwind trip Jason and I had for WPPI 2010.  Despite all of the fun we had, there isn't anything quite like walking in the door and giving our kids a big hug and kiss!  It's amazing how much they seem to change in a few days. 

I will save all the details of our trip for a later post, but wanted to follow up Jason's post with an image of my own.  Our good friend and local photographer Laura Ivanova set up a fun shoot just outside of Vegas and I was more than game to go!  It was in a little town called Nelson.  While Jason's image demonstrated the drama of the scene, I opted for mine to showcase a little more signature Staja!  I hope you enjoy and look forward to showing some more images and details of the trip in the upcoming days.