by Cristina Stoian

How do you choose a photographer

Why might you need a photographer, you ask?

In today’s world of smartphones and the evolving realm of photography, this question might seem perplexing. Why invest in a portrait photographer when you can snap a picture with your phone and share it on social media? Isn’t that what matters most nowadays?

Here at Cristina Stoian Portraits in Amsterdam, our mission goes beyond simply providing beautiful images. While our photography is undeniably stunning, it’s also profoundly impactful. It’s about more than just taking pictures—it’s about shaping perceptions. How do you want the world to see you? How do you envision yourself being captured? When was the last time you felt empowered in your own skin?

Think about the portraits of your grandparents and great-grandparents. What do they represent? They’re not just pieces of paper tucked away in albums; they’re a testament to your history, your lineage, and your legacy from those who’ve cherished you. That’s why you’re seeking a photographer and not just any photographer. You’re searching for someone who understands not only the technical aspects but also the art of connection during a shoot. Someone who can capture your essence and create artwork that reflects the beauty seen by those who love you most.

When is the right time for a professional portrait photographer?

You need one when you’re commemorating a milestone or a cherished relationship—whether it’s with your mother, daughter, sister, or best friend. You need a professional when you’re ready to create timeless artwork that your descendants will treasure. You need one when you want to capture and celebrate your family’s love today, creating heirlooms that adorn your walls and remind your children of the love surrounding them.

How do you choose a portrait photographer?

It takes research. Explore galleries of photographers in your area whose work resonates with you. Reach out to discuss your vision and the types of artwork you’re considering. Talk about products, service steps, pricing, and delivery methods. Educate yourself on your options before making an informed decision.

As for us at Cristina Stoian Portraits, we hope you’ll consider us for your portraiture needs. Check out our Q&A page for insights into our process, and feel free to contact us for a personal consultation.

Contemporary portraiture lies at the heart of our business. Capturing women at every stage of life, highlighting their beauty, and celebrating their legacy is our passion. I’m Cristina Stoian, and my work has been described as Celebratory, Feminine, and Beautiful. All-encompassing. Seeing the different sides of femininity. Not one-sided but many different faceted. I treat each client and session with the utmost care and attention to detail.

Why schedule a portrait session?

Because you deserve more than simply checking tasks off your list. Being photographed at your best is liberating. From the style consultation to the final click of the camera, it’s about embracing your confidence and beauty. Investing in yourself means recognizing your value and teaching your daughters the same.

Who do we serve?

Primarily, we work with women—though we’re not exclusive. Our clients wear many hats, they’re busy, decisive, and value-driven. They’re seekers of deeper meaning, and they understand the importance of self-discovery.

What will you gain?

You’ll rediscover your beauty and embrace it with confidence. Let’s embark on this journey together and find that inner spark once again.

If you find yourself resonating with our approach and we haven’t had the chance to connect, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re eager for the opportunity to capture your essence through our lens.

 

 

 

Q&A

 

What is your photography style?
My work is feminine, timeless and insightful, creating beautiful pieces of art.
I stand for women’s rounded self, powerful, dramatic and natural, it all deserves to be seen.

 

Who will photograph my sessions?
All photo sessions are photographed by me, Cristina Stoian, female photographer;

 

Where does the shoot take place?
Shoots are located at my studio. I have created an environment that is the most relaxing and warm for you to enjoy your photo shoot. Big studios and huge lights can be overwhelming and clearly does not create intimacy between photographer and client.

 

Are the women on your website models?
No, all the women on my website are clients and most of them have never had shoots before.

 

How long does a session last?
The Glamour Experience includes hair and makeup and will last 4-5 hours in total.

 

Who can I bring along at the photoshoot? 
If you would like to share the experience with your mum, daughter, sister, friend, you are welcome to invite them into the shoot. Make it a girls day out!

What will I gain from having a Portrait Session?

Lots of women are nervous when they first speak to me about having their portraits taken.  Afterward, I hear them saying “That is one of the best things I have ever done for myself”. Some, have portrait sessions for the man in their lives, others have them just for themselves… As women, we are so hard on ourselves and are often our own harshest critics. The self-confidence and self-esteem that can be gained from a portrait shoot are amazing.

One of my favourite parts of a portrait session is speaking to clients after they have viewed their images when they realise; actually, yes, they are beautiful, powerful, even sexy. “l  feel beautiful, powerful, renewed, empowered. It changed the way I see myself. Re-connecting with my Big Self, powerful, sexy, unstoppable. Amazing!” Blanca Vergara

 

How long should I book before my shoot?
If you want to give the folio box or prints as a gift, I would recommend booking 2 weeks in advance. It takes about 15 days to invite you to the reveal session, where you will pick your prints.

 

Do you retouch the images?
Yes, all your images are retouched, spots and blemishes are removed unless stated otherwise.

 

Do you offer hair styling and make-up?
Yes, definitely, I work with a wonderful, talented team of hair and make-up artists, which I trust with my image and yours.

 

What if I am not happy with my figure?
A question asked by so many women. “I am not ready yet. I need to lose 25 kilos before my session.” If we all waited until we lost weight and looked perfect we could be waiting a long time..everyone has perfections and imperfections that is what makes us unique. My job as a Portrait Photographer is to emphasize your many positives and to minimise any areas you may feel self-conscious about, through smart posing and direction.

 

What do I bring to the session?
I normally suggest about 4-5 outfits that work for you. All this is discussed in the consultation session.

 

How will I know how to pose?
I will work with you and show you the poses that will work for you and your body. I will direct your poses and you don’t need to have any prior experience.

 

When do I pick up my photos?
15 days after your shoot there will be a face-to-face session at my studio, I call the “Reveal”, where you will get to pick your printed and matted photos. How many you buy, it’s up to you.

 

Contact page

You can call me to discuss packages and any questions or queries about the shoot in more detail.

in Amsterdam / Confidence / Empowerment / Feminine Energy 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

Why I do what I do

What is it about empowering women that makes me so motivated?

 

For once, it’s great to see women are more than just a pretty face, and finally have their ideas and creativity start coming forward.
Women have finally more space to develop and grow themselves and this is a big leap forward, we have the means and the brains to do it, so why not do it?

 

Going your own way is something that I admire, wanting to prove to the world you have a better method, invented a new process, created a new program and have the courage to start something on your own. Then, having the courage to put your work out there, owning your ideas, and publish your work, is not something to be taken lightly. It takes guts and I know how hard it is.

 

I want to show women to the world… it’s time to be seen. Time to prove to the world we are here too and that we have a new way of doing things. Our own feminine way. Powerful in many ways.

 

As a portrait photographer, I photograph energy, female energy not surprisingly is very different from our counterparts, not better or worse, but different. I am very happy to see that slowly women start to accept themselves more, start to take care of themselves more, and start to see themselves as an individual rather than a function. Sure you are still the mother, wife, businesswoman, or professional, but you are also a woman. This side is what I want to photograph, I want to show you – you in a way that is stripped from all your functions and duties. This is what I want to empower and grow in my business.

 

What is it about empowering women that makes me so motivated?  I could list a million things but I think it all boils down to one main point: empowerment leads to confidence. And confidence is the key to success. And I want women to succeed.

 

When you have the courage to be yourself and love yourself for who you are, that’s when true greatness can be achieved. So often we allow our insecurities and self-doubt to hold us back from reaching our full potential. But when we empower ourselves, those negative voices are no longer in control. We are in control. And that is an incredibly empowering feeling.

 

So how can we empower women? There are many ways but I think it starts with having the courage to be ourselves and loving ourselves for who we are. When we do this, we give other women permission to do the same. We become a force of positivity and empowerment. And that is something we can all benefit from.
So let’s start today. Let’s have the courage to be ourselves and love ourselves for who we are. It’s time for us to experience true empowerment. And when we do, we will engage with the world in a whole new way. We will be confident, bold, and fearless. We will be unstoppable.

 

For once, it’s great to see women are more than a pretty face, and finally, their ideas start coming forwards.

 

It’s time for us to love ourselves unconditionally and be proud of who we are. We need to have the courage to be ourselves, and not let anyone else tell us who we should be. We deserve to experience true empowerment, and when we do, we will engage with the world in a whole new way. We will be confident, bold, and fearless. We will be unstoppable.

 

There will be people who will try to bring you down, who will criticise your work and try to tell you that you’re not good enough. But don’t listen to them. You are good enough. You are more than enough. And you have what it takes to succeed.

 

So go out there and be brave. Be bold. Go after your dreams. And never, ever give up on yourself. Remember, you are amazing just the way you are. And the world needs your unique gifts, so don’t be afraid to share them with us. Thank you for being here and for being YOU!

Are you ready to set yourself for success?

THE ART OF YOUR BRAND

Find out More

 

in Confidence / Empowerment / Feminine Energy 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

A mother’s love knows no bounds: spending time with my daughter making memories

A daughter’s love knows no bounds as well, but few can match the love of a mother’s heart. This unbreakable bond between mother and daughter often grows even stronger as the years go by, and no matter how old your child becomes, it will always be one of the strongest relationships in your life. Here are some ideas on how to spend quality time with your mom this weekend, strengthening your bond together while making memories that will last forever.

People are busier than ever before. In today’s society, it seems that families are getting smaller, and parents don’t have as much time to spend with their children as they would like.

It’s not about how much time you spend, but what you do while you are together. Rather than taking your daughter shopping or to a restaurant, go on a hike or camping trip together and make it into an adventure. You’ll both enjoy yourselves far more, and create some great new memories as well.

The joy of spending time with mum while getting your portrait taken.

in Feminine Energy / Mom-Daughter / My muses 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.

Are you ready to book your shoot

Book your shoot

Book now
I can’t wait to see your comments, bookings as I am ready.
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

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

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!

 

 

 

Let's design your glamour experience

Experience the transformation

Schedule a chat
in Confidence / Empowerment / Feminine Energy / Self-Care 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

The glamourous, powerful, passionate me

I’ve just received the most heartwarming review from my first Glamour Photoshoot Session I’ve done.. I’m most humbled and grateful. I guess it’s been a journey for both of us, Su !

“Ever since I celebrated 30 years of my life I was preparing for my 40th birthday. I wanted to celebrate this milestone with an awesome party and photo shoot beyond awesome.

But when my 40th birthday came none of this happened. December 11th, 2010 my amazing father unexpectedly passed away abroad and according to Hindu tradition his death was followed with one year of mourning. Then a few years followed with a drastic change of my body filled with IVF related hormones. So I didn’t feel ready yet to still have that photo shoot.

When Cristina Stoian approached me for a glamour photo shoot three years later I accepted this opportunity with both hands and a lot of excitement.

This excitement was the most some days just before the photo shoot one day before my 43th birthday. Why? Because I am a result driven person and highly impatient when it comes to the good stuff in life. I pampered myself a lot with respect to preparing for the photo shoot and had regular contact with Cristina about what to wear, well actually about my whole presentation.

I already knew Cristina from an entrepreneurial circle. I met Cristina as partly down to earth but also a young talented woman who could capture life in all its features. Feeling comfortable with a photographer is the most important thing about being photographed so the play between expression and impression can be of great value for both the photographer and the photographed individual.

Being ‘naked’ outside the premises of my home, is something I haven’t done in ages, as my mother always taught her children that you never have a second chance to have a first impression, I am used to leave the house as impeccable with respect to my appearance.

On the day of the photo shoot I left home without make up and comfy dressed as I knew there was a metamorphose about to start.

On location my hair and make-up was done by to talented women and meanwhile I did my best to fit into the energy of Cristina and her studio. Initially it was hard to pose, as I am a woman who prefers to be behind the camera instead of in the picture. And also my serious look. I laugh a lot in life, but to pose with a smile is something that feels unnatural. The photo shoot almost took a whole day. Afterwards there was a mixture of feelings, feeling like I had an eight hour work out of yoga and Pilates in one and feeling in-convincible again. Cristina managed to make me laugh and loosen up. Though the final results were not ready yet, Cristina made some sneak-a-peak-pictures with her I-phone during and after the photo shoot. When I received those pictures shortly after the photo shoot and placed them on social media, the reactions were overwhelming. Many people assumed this was the actually result of the photo shoot. Most people reacted with love and awesomeness, seeing me as I used to be a long time, powerful and passionate about life.

The very first time I saw the results of glamour shoot, I was silent. Not because I didn’t like it, but because of Cristina’s ability to capture the nature of my soul, my fragile and powerful part at once, my completeness. It was quite confronting, realizing what the heck had happened to that woman I saw in all her brilliance again and feeling grateful to have reconnected with that brilliance. My favourite photo I installed as a screensaver, just to remind me of the woman I am working and living for. There is always a distorted self-image as looking at our reflection in the mirror, is not the way we are perceived by the world. The response to the pictures online were also amazing, people I had not been in touch with for ages reconnected with me and saw my heritage of people they once knew and respected, like my father and my grandparents.

I would definitely recommend this experience to other women. It is not just a photo shoot, any woman is worth such experience to meet and have the essence of yourself captured for the rest of your life and beyond. Actually, I already have recommended this experience to other women.

As I was the first in her glamour photo shoot and I didn’t know what to expect, but with Cristina met beyond my expectations, she captured my heritage and created part of my legacy.
Part of the acquired collection I hold like a treasure is private and part of it has been reason to completely rebrand my personal me. Some of those pictures were actually exactly what was needed to complete my personal branding. What you see, is what you get, the glamourous powerful passionate me.

Thank you Cristina and wishing you so many more women to re-activate and re-connect.”

@Sunita Changoe
Business owner
Tara Mediation / Windmills & Wooden shoes

in Confidence / Empowerment / Feminine Energy 0 comments
 by Cristina Stoian

The woman I work for

One of my first clients and models in front of my camera for this new style of photography I embarked on, was Sunita Changoe.

 

“A versatile woman, who know exactly what she wants. A woman with a modus operandi. Making friends with patience has always been a challenge for her, like she always says: ‘If I knew where patience would be on sale, I’d let you know once I have purchased my own supply.’ Her mission is very clear: teaching everyone in a certain way to get back to the original state of power enabling one to embrace life with a fresh and clear vision. Therefore her vision is a world in which each individual takes and receives space to express his or her soul and thereby contributing value to the whole: life and thereafter.

The woman I work for is inspiring in the way she wishes everybody the best as an individual and as an entrepreneur. Being very social, she already connects the person she just met for the very first time with other people who could make this new acquaintance’s life more valuable.

The woman I work for is continually developing herself. She studies, follows courses so all the facets of her diamond, like she calls her life, are always illuminating and radiant.

People working with or for her know that her openness also has another side. She is very private. ‘In life one is entitled to have space for every aspect of yourself, so also for your family and relatives.’ She calls it her personal retreat. ‘There is no need to travel far, to get to yourself.’ She is spiritual, but knows that her body needs to be grounded: ‘’Released from your body and connected to all.’

Working with her sometimes is considered a serious challenge. Like she has the greatest expression of herself as a goal, she demands the same from the people she works with.

She is very allergic to the word ‘try’, Like Obi Wan Kenobi says: ‘There is no try’ and like her father taught her ‘Either you do it well or don’t do it at all.’ This places her in the category of woman with a ‘no-nonsense’ – mentality. She doesn’t see problems, but challenges to go inwards and shed a light on the valuable treasures one holds for him-/herself and the world.

As soon as I open my laptop I see the woman I work for. The picture was taken by the international photographer Cristina Stoian. She was able to capture her vulnerability, her power, her heritage and her essence at once and created with that her own legacy.

The woman that I work for with all my attention, love and passion, that woman … is me. ”

Cristina Stoian Photographer

 

Let's start designing your glamour experience.

Are you ready

Schedule a chat

 

 

in Amsterdam / Empowerment / Feminine Energy / My muses 0 comments