Anna, part two: Minneapolis Senior Portrait Photography

September 11th, 2011 found me in New Ulm, Minnesota surrounded by family and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Sure, we reminisced about where we were when our country changed forever, but actually, we spent more time smiling and cherishing the time we spent just being together. And actually, I think that's the best way we could have remembered.

I promised you a part two of this lovely lady's senior photos and here they are! Anna is so fabulous - I know I've said it before and you're probably tired of hearing/reading me say it, but it's true. She's such a bright light in her family and seriously, this girl is going places. I am so honored to document this time in her life and more honored to call her my cousin :)

And the volleyball photos? No photoshop work there, folks. It's all Anna. She IS the captain of her high school team, after all!

xoxo,

syd.

sydnee@sydneebickett.com

H Family Reunion: Minneapolis/St. Paul Event Photography

I've known the H family (one branch) for the last six years - they took a chance with me, a college sophomore, when they were in need of a sitter for their then 8 year old son, 4 year old daughter and 2 week old son. I had maybe only held an infant that small twice in my life and it was always under adult supervision... yikes! But Kristi assured me she "would be back before you need to take him out of his baby seat." I suppose I passed the test because I went on to nanny for these three blonde-haired beauties countless times for countless hours for five years... they kept me on my toes and I can't begin to thank them for all they taught me about how to raise a family based in unconditional love and endless encouragement. Who knows, maybe I'll be calling Mara someday to babysit my babies :)

Once I started this photo thing for real, they kept calling. Not for a sitter, but for a photographer! I fell in love with them all over again - family portraits, Christmas cards, corporate headshots, you name it. Then, I hit the jackpot - the entire H clan at their summer family reunion!

These images can only give you a glimpse of this amazing family. Grandma's 80th birthday was the perfect time to get together and the day couldn't have been more lovely. In the short time I spent with them, it was clear how every person in this amazing group is loved and cherished, only they can fill the spot they have in the line - what a blessing!

Here's a snapshot of the amazing H family (and yes, I know their shirts are the same and all have their real last name, but you know, for the sake of the Internet and privacy :)):

[this image is an EXACT replica of a Christmas card photo from roughly 1970... the girls were taller, the boys were shorter and the clothes were way more seventies - think bell bottoms and awesome plaid shirts and glasses :)]

[when I asked the grandkids to all line up by age, the youngest (remember that 2 week old baby boy? that's him!) said to his twin cousins in classic Thomas fashion: "okay, now I think we're all six here, but who's the littlest?"]

a lovely comment I received from this family upon seeing this gem: "Mom surrounded by all her grandchildren... she never looked more beautiful." Cue the waterworks!

xoxo,
syd.
sydnee@sydneebickett.com

Ryann + Jennifer: St. Paul Wedding Photography

Ryann + Jennifer wed on a steamy day in August - but they didn't let the heat and humidity slow them down! They had been planning their day for months and were both giddy with the anticipation of seeing one another at the altar in the gorgeous Nazareth Chapel at Northwestern College.

Two things stuck out to me on this day: the insanely adorable love Ryann + Jenn have for each other and the outpouring of love they showed to their families. Considerate, encouraging and ever-abounding love... the main ingredient for a fantastic wedding! The day was filled with classic black-and-white, a touch of green, amazing vintage touches and lots and lots of smiles :)

My ahhhhmaaaazzzing second shooter, Hannah Hitchcock, spotted these amazing pieces: the bride's grandmother's handbag (used for generations of weddings!) and pocket watches for the groomsmen!

Just as we were about to head down to the lake for some magic hour portraits, we spotted these brand new freshmen and a slip-n-slide! So OF COURSE, we had to take a photo of the newlyweds "taking the plunge!"

Ryann + Jenn's love story slogan: I love you, to the moon and back = ADORABLE!

xoxo,

syd.

sydnee@sydneebickett.com

VENDOR LOVE:

Flowers: La Petite Fleur

Dress: Allure Couture from Mestads of Rochester

Hair/Makeup: Shag Studio, St. Paul

Men's suits: Men's Warehouse and the Dapper Tie

Ceremony: Nazareth Chapel, NW College

Reception: Radisson Roseville, Axels Catering

Cake: Buttercream

A Family of Superheroes: Minneapolis/St. Paul Portrait Photography

Way back last spring, I hosted a contest on my Facebook Fan Page (hey! Like me!) in an attempt to get more fans. Maybe my self-esteem was low that day and I simply wanted more friends... but I got 'em! It went a little something like this: the 250th fan won a free photo session - and the person who referred them won one too. Funny thing was, the winner was my 6th grade teacher's husband and it was my 6th grade teacher who "referred" him! So we killed two birds with one stone and set off planning a fabulous family photo session!

As life would have it, we planned and the weather didn't cooperate. Numerous times. But they stuck with me and we had a date nailed done at the beginning of the summer. But again, as life would have it, they cancelled... little did I know, it was because they were 24 hours away from welcoming their 2nd son into the world! We waited a few weeks for the new family of four to adjust and then celebrated this little miracle at an historical train station - one of big brother Isaiah's favorite things is trains!

Dad is actually publishing his first book of awesome fiction, Failstate, due out next year! And since you "liked" me, you'd better "like" him too!

FINALLY! Here is my favorite family of superheroes:

Right before I shot the second image in this set, Isaiah was informing me that he had been to this place before (Mom said he hadn't) and I asked when. To our surprise, he said he had dreamt this exact photo last night in his dreams! The result was this ahhhhmazzzing photo of his parents cracking up and of course, Isaiah is looking adorable!

Introducing Micah:

xoxo,
syd.
sydnee@sydneebickett.com