J Stoia Portait Design » Blog http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com Blog Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Ella, Big Bird, and a whole lot of sass http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/ella-big-bird-and-a-whole-lot-of-sass/ http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/ella-big-bird-and-a-whole-lot-of-sass/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:08 +0000 admin http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/?p=5322 It was just about two years ago that I finally met her for the first time. She had a sassy side, but is was hidden by her dislike for photos. She hid her face and curled up to her mom. So I left my camera by my side and began to play a game with her. The guessing game is the one that stuck with her… even until now! I joked with her that my name was Big Bird or Cookie monster… and got her to laugh. I’m not even sure if I ever told her my real name. Ever since then, she has asked about Big Bird… me :) Apparently she is over her fear of photos because she could easily be a children’s clothing model. She knows how to play and move and is completely her goofy, sassy self when the camera is around. My favorite part… she showed up to the session with a hand made Big Bird that had the perfect amount of bling on him. It’s so me :)

Meet Ella. Her personality is written all over these photos.

Megan, a good friend of mine, did a great job with wardrobe coordination. You look beautiful!Some big girl “lippy” and a glossy kiss for dad.Sass. I need to find someone big enough to swing me around like this again. Love this.Big Bird.

]]> http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/ella-big-bird-and-a-whole-lot-of-sass/feed/ 4 EJ:Newborn http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/ejnewborn/ http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/ejnewborn/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 20:36:37 +0000 admin http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/?p=5308 My past wedding clients, Ashlee and Ben, announce their new love. Eligh James. He already has them wrapped around their finger. Ashlee listened to me, and talked to EJ through the pregnancy reminding him that he was going to be a perfect little boy for them. So far, my trick has worked. This little man has been letting them get sleep and seems to love just hanging out with dad, listening to music. It also seems that he has given me his stamp of approval as his photographer.. in the second photo below.. he subconsciously gave me a thumbs up. I’ll take it!

Welcome sweet baby EJ.
The moment your little one looks up at you while being fed seems like one to melt your heart. “Big sister” Maybelle looks on as mom and dad hush EJ back to sleep. Looks like she is going to play the guardian role well. 

]]> http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/ejnewborn/feed/ 1 Jaeden:Three Years Old http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/jaedenthree-years-old/ http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/jaedenthree-years-old/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 01:33:41 +0000 admin http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/?p=5292 The last time I saw Jeaden, he was just getting the hang of walking. Somehow he has managed to become three (and some) years old and is completely independent. He knows how to look up his train songs, and apparently sings them nonstop at home. I think he may have had a small case of stage fright in front of me as I couldn’t get him to sing. No big deal…. that is usually for my pure entertainment during the session :)

]]> http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/jaedenthree-years-old/feed/ 0 Chris and Melissa: Engagement Story http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/chris-and-melissa-engagement-story/ http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/blog/chris-and-melissa-engagement-story/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 00:48:03 +0000 admin http://www.jstoiaportraitdesign.com/?p=5274 It seems only fitting that Chris and Melissa were engaged while traveling. So many close encounters could have been made while they both lived in Chicago, but it was when Chris traveled back that he ended up finding his other half. When the San Diego tripped was planned, Chris knew it was time. As they stood in line at airport security, Chris anxiously awaited as the ring went through the Xray machine. He played it cool, as he always does, but stared down the security guy as he reversed Chris’s bag back through the machine. That moment, when your bag goes in reverse… it’s one to make most of us wonder. Did I forget to take something out of my bag? Are there new rules? Are they going to pull me aside and ask me questions in that tone of voice that makes me think.. did I do something wrong? So you can only imagine how Chris felt when proposal hadn’t happened and this guy had the potential to blow it. The bag went in reverse, the guy took a thorough look and caught eyes with Chris. Chris gave him the look and a casual and inconspicuous head nod, smirks were exchanged, and he was in the clear. These details and small heart attacks that many guys run into while planning the engagement are always things I love to hear.

On day 2 of their relaxing trip to San Diego, they made their way to Coronado Island for a some fun in the sun. As they lounged in the sand, Chris said he had a present for her. All girls love presents, especially surprise ones. Melissa had just gotten into graduate school for Nurse Anesthesia and he wanted to let her know how proud he was of her. A smile lit up her face as he pulled out a Louis Vuitton bag. Chris had prepared to say a few things before telling her to look inside. Melissa was so excited that she opened the bag to look at the luxurious satin lining and soon realized that the bag was only part of her gift. A diamond ring “wrapped” inside a designer hand bag?! It doesn’t get much better. That April day, on the sunny beach of California, Chris asked Melissa to spend the rest of her life with him.

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