by Cristina Stoian

Looking through the lens

One doesn’t really know a person unless they’re in front of the camera. Looking through the lens, there’s another layer uncovered than the familiar face we post to the public. Maybe that’s why personal photoshoots are more intimate, you go through the layers of you, unveiling the different layers of your personality. 

This was the case with my client Ionela, I knew her from events we organised and attended together, I grew familiar with her bubbly personality, and I saw her as the cool chick. 

But seeing her in front of my camera, I have discovered the woman that she is, talented, creative, resourceful, authentic.. vulnerable, and not afraid to show it, powerful at the same time a complete woman in her own rights. 

I felt affection, and for me, that means being inspired and motivated to look beyond the public face. 

“Seeing these portraits empowers me, all the while making me feel extremely proud of the woman I have become. “

 

in Photo Reveal / Shoot with Cris 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

Motherhood

As you know, last year I have become a mother.

 

It was indeed the most remarkable and unforgettable year, becoming a mother, having a daughter.

 

It’s been a time of growth, acceptance and much-needed self-love.

 

It’s incredible to see a new story come to life, to witness it from the early stages, my daughter’s story, to be part of it intimately and also an active role as a parent. It’s a thrilling experience.

 

I’ve learned so much about life, again and again, it is like getting a new understanding of the world.

 

While I love my baby immensely and spending time with her has been the main pass of time in the last year, it is time to go back to work.

 

It is calling me, to be fully fulfilled, there is a side of me which aches to create again. Doing my life’s work, creating with a camera is essential to me.

 

Of course, my mission feels even more important now, having a daughter. I want every woman to realise her beauty is unmistakable and to understand that her role in the world is both irreplaceable and imperative.

 

My promise to you is that once you step in front of my camera, this will happen.

 

Leaving a legacy behind has become to me more important than before, knowing there’s someone to leave it behind to. I will make it a priority to get behind the camera more.

 

Returning to work will be a balancing act, and I will probably fail a couple of times in the beginning, and that’s ok, I’m new to all this. I hope you’re going to understand my clumsiness. It will all take time.

 

Anna allows me to play on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for now, and those are my studio days dedicated to you.

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in Confidence / Empowerment / Feminine Energy / Mom-Daughter 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

MOMMY mode ON

Photo by GENEVIÈVE CHASSÉ

I have been quiet lately, focusing on my next big lifetime adventure.  This is the result.

I am proud to go through this transformation, becoming a mum, embracing life with life, bringing up in my womb a miracle, the touch of divine creation.

I have wanted this for a long time, ever since I can remember, and I am finally in the right place and time for this.

I made space for it in my life and arranged it in such a way that a kid could fit right in.

I found a photography studio close to home, with daycare on the ground floor, so I’d always be close by, I modeled my business so it would fit my mummy life. I learned about healthy eating, taking breaks and caring for myself. Learned how to care for my partner and communicate effectively so both our needs are met.

And then … she arrived. can’t be more proud and happy to carry her in my belly.

I am now expecting her arrival any minute, and she kicks in my belly as I am writing this. :)

I will be taking six months of maternity leave to enjoy this new life and be close to her and give her all the love and nurture she needs to adapt to this new world.

I will be back to work early next year, February 2020 is when I plan to continue my portrait practice.

 

JOIN OUR VIP LIST

 

Looking towards the future, 2020 seems to be the year of new endeavours (such a cool number, isn’t it?) and I want to be the one that brings out the beautiful and confident, amazing person that you are.

Therefore I would like to invite you to join my VIP list personally. You will be the first to know about:

  • My new ideas for portrait photoshoots
  • Inspiring new tips for self-care, confidence, ageing
  • By enlisting in the VIP list, you will secure the same prices as shown today on my website for a new shooting. Because also prices grow up ;)

 

in Empowerment / Feminine Energy / Mom-Daughter 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

How does it feel to get your portrait taken

Getting your Portrait taken is nothing short of magic.

 

Last year I have done a self portrait, this year I wanted to experience a full portrait experience like the one I give my clients.
Hair and makeup and the whole day pampering me. Pose training and dress change and expressions exercises.

 

I knew it was not going to be easy, let yourself go in front of the camera is not something that comes naturally to me. Putting myself first is something I don’t do well.

 

For this reason, I decided to preach what I teach and get myself this experience.

 

I can let you know that I understand it better now. It’s hard to let go of the daily tensions, stay focused for 4 hours, let yourself led by the expert, and just enjoy.

 

It’s like the holidays you take after a long year of work, you find it hard to de-tense and disconnect in the first few days.

 

What I realized is that the sooner you let go of control, (and boy, as an expert myself, is hard to do) the sooner you can achieve the results you want.

 

So what did this photoshoot teach me?

 

Well, it was easy to see, I am tense. Does this apply to you too?

 

I don’t take time enough for myself to enjoy time off, selfless time off for me, with me.
Like a massage, a spa day, a dinner alone reading a book, checking in with myself more often, how do I feel right now. Am I balanced? Or am I tense? Am I calm and grounded or am I all over the place? Am I clear and sharp in my thoughts or is it hard for me to focus. These are clues that tell you how far you are in your tiredness and stress. Being balanced is a trained muscle and one that you can develop.

 

So it was good to slow down and take some me-time and then reflect on it.

 

I learned how hard it is for me to let go of control. Can you relate?

 

This is something unhealthy, I think and possibly the reason I work for myself. Perfection doesn’t exist but good results can be achieved multiple ways. Sometimes is good to let someone else take the lead and let yourself flow with them.

 

I am shy. Shy to be watched, shy to connect with someone’s eyes for my own purpose, shy to hold the gaze.

 

So after all these preconceptions of how things should go, are let loose, that’s when the magic begins and the photographer can do its job.

 

I realize how hard this is for you and I will be ever more kind and allowing you more space to open for my future photo shoots.

 

I am pleased with this portrait, this is me at the age of 35. Even though it was a journey to achieve it, I recommend this experience to everyone because it is a valuable lesson of self-discovery.

 

in Self-Care 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

Empowered Women

Empowering women is what I do best. I did with CRAVE, featuring stylish women entrepreneurs in a book, and I continue empowering women in my portrait business. Seeing women thriving is what gives me a kick. Pushes me forward to do what I do and makes me happy to share my life with so many fabulous women.

She came into my studio the other day for a Personal Branding shoot for her new website. Karmen is building a brand “Flower and Spice Modern Apothecary“, a natural skincare cosmetic company.

… We had such a great time collaborating on a variety of elegant looks and overall feel. We wanted her portraits to match her brand… and I think we totally nailed it.

Karmen switched from a stressful corporate career in advertising to something completely different, embracing entrepreneurship and learning a new trade.

“It is never too late to do what makes you happy.”

 

in Empowerment / Feminine Energy / Shoot with Cris 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

Ready to Love

 So many people I photograph and friends tell me that they are single and can’t find a partner to share their lives in Amsterdam.

They start blaming the city, their busy lives, their careers.

 

I always ask them, are you ready for love?

Valentine is coming and I feel compelled to write about this. Soon, spring will be here, and with that the boom of nature: the flowers, the butterflies, the sun is back, and for me, this is the love season.

When everything around you blooms, the air is warm, the aroma of the flowers makes you dizzy, something happens inside. The many jackets you’re wearing during winter are falling off you now and you are feeling lighter. You feel freer: free to move, free to sing, to dance, to jump in the air.

Why am I talking about this? Because I want you to feel it, so much you could touch it. I want you to understand what nature goes through every spring to come to life and go with the flow and feel it.

Think about yourself, how did you feel inside this winter. Are the jackets become heavier to wear, the long winter days and nights are they unbearable and cold. Is it time to open up and let love in? Are you ready to bloom? How you might ask. Well…

 

Do you have your apartment ready?
If not, start the declutter, start to fresh up the air, get some plants, burn some incents.
In Feng Shui, they say if you want to attract a partner, you have to make space in your house for them. Get an extra pillow, make some space in your cupboards, set two equal nightstands. I believe this way you also make space in your mind and something starts to shift.

 

Do you have your wardrobe ready?
Have you thought what sort of colours/materials/cuts you want to wear this spring that are communicating love?  Start getting your clothes dry-cleaned, sorted, ready to embrace spring and a new you!

 

Do you have your heart ready?

This one is the toughest one. Are you ready and open to it? Are you allowing yourself to fall in love? Did you make this your priority? No more excuses. If this is what you really want, then you focus on it. Have a heart to heart conversation with yourself and decide: “This is the spring I’m going to fall in love! ”

 

Then show yourself to the world like you mean it, the bud in bloom that you are, ready to open up and embrace it!
If you need help getting your confidence up and present yourself to the world go to contacts and let’s schedule a chat about it!
in Confidence / Resilience 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

The power of transformation

As the year renews, it is a good time to reflect back and see what still works with you, so you can keep it, and what does not, so you can throw it away. You can apply this for any item in your closet, kitchen, cosmetics, paperwork. Same goes for habits and rituals. Notice what has to stay, and notice what is better to go. Same for feelings or emotions. Don’t hold onto it if it does not serve you.

We are spiritual beings that evolve, change, with the passing of time. Make sure you like who you are becoming. Make sure you notice and accept your transformation, make sure it’s in alignment with your vision of your best self.

 

Since the beginning of the year, I am looking more into the meaning of things.

 

Naturally, I am observing what I am doing in my daily life and what I chose to create in my daily job. My job is to transform people. To show them the transformation. To bring them from their every day self to a potential very best self. Then to show it back to them. So how do I do that ?

 

 

1) It begins with makeup and the power of transformation once you put it on.

It is a very controversial topic, with or without makeup, and it seems the dispute comes apparently, from ancient times.

Make-up was considered to give you more attention, “transforming a person’s appearance, but changing their mood while inspiring feelings of power and confidence”. Ancient Egyptians believed lipstick has healing powers. (Read about the History of makeup here, I find it fascinating). Some believed it has powers over other people. There is a link between makeup and witchcraft and of course, there were also laws put in place to prevent it. Witchcraft, I wonder ? Then if you think about it, there all the beauty rituals, cosmetics and fragrances. Sounds a bit like spells.

I love everything about the power of transformation, and the art of beauty.

 

And how does makeup, make you have more confidence so you become empowered ?

 

Well, I think when you apply your makeup, it gives you a certain sense of yourself that you look better. And with that feeling, your inner self falls in-love with yourself a little bit more than before and then there’s your sparkle coming out with it. I feel it works from the outside – in. It has the power to transform your inside. Because your true beauty lies inside, and sometimes it needs a little kick to come out.

 

2) Then, after the makeup is done, I ask you to get dressed in your best clothes. Clothes that make you look good, that transform you from your casual self to your more glamorous self. This also contributes to your confidence and your perceived notion about yourself.

 

 

So looking into the meaning further, I research the word glamour. Its origins come from ‘enchantment, magic’,  ‘beauty’ or ‘charm’. Imagine my surprise when I read that. That made me smile and think: what we are doing in my studio is truly magical.

You look good, you feel good.

3)  There are some tips and tricks I give you for posing, I know what works best for your body type and face shape. There is science behind it, figure 8 shape is the most desirable body type. So every pose I put you in, enhances the figure 8 shape. Also, creating triangles in posing creates a pleasing image to the eye.  I go through this posing training and after a couple of shots, you become a pro. You go from “I hate this”, to “I love this, give me more”. I like it when clients start revealing themselves fully, giving in and switching to their confident selves.

Have a look below to some of the metamorphosis I’ve done throughout the years. Notice first of all their increase in confidence besides their change of physical aspect. Magic!

 

 

 

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in Confidence / Empowerment / Feminine Energy / Self-Care 0 comments