Run, Walk, Hope 2012 : personal

Is it mid-September already? Wait! September is almost over?!

We're in the midst of an incredible fall season here in Minneapolis, which means quite a few things. I can FINALLY wear my favorite boot-dolman sleeve-scarf-skinny jean-top knot-sunglasses combo every.single.day. I can say "see ya next summer" to my daily iced soy latte and say "helloooo love" to the hot version at my favorite coffee shop. Their latte art makes me smile. And really, smiling's my favorite.

Another tidbit about my favorite season? Big changes are coming. I know you're anxious to find out what this means and I'm bubbling over with excitement to share. But Mama always said "patience is a virtue" and this time, it's even more true. It's coming, friends. Buckle up!

Something that rings constant in September is the annual Celebration of Hope Gala for the Liz Logelin Foundation. I first blogged about this amazing non-profit last year HERE. To this day, this blog post remains the highest viewed post on my site. I am so blessed by this and hope it's done it's part to spread the love.

The Liz Logelin Foundation gives hope to widows and widowers with young families and if you spend any length of time reading their Facebook page or stories on the website, you will be changed. I promise.

This year, I've become even more involved in this organization and helped to plan the 5K race in June alongside executive director Lindsay Lewis, one of my favorite people on the planet. After a whirlwind spring, this event came up quickly and in a blink of an eye, it was over. But not without tugging at my heart strings and the hearts of so many others. Not to mention helping a lot of families who needed to be reminded they were not alone in their experience.

This week, I've been running around non-stop for the gala and I honestly wish there were more hours in the day to do even more work and help even more. Helping to compile quotes from our recipients and photos they've sent of their smiling faces, with quotes from our supporters and the reasons why they give, my heart is so full. 

This week, there's no place I'd rather be than surrounded by piles of gift baskets and donations by amazing companies and businesses, working on powerpoints and donation websites and putting together programs and assembling frames. Because I'm surrounded by a handful, a dozen, even more people who are all committed to the same thing: giving hope.

You can still get a ticket to attend. Please come and bid on amazing items, listen to heart-filling stories, drink and eat and be changed for the better. I'll be there with my camera and you'll be there with your awesomeness. We'd love to see you! And Matt promises to take a photo with you. He doesn't know it yet, but he will. He's just that cool.

 

 

 

xoxo,

syd.

sydnee@sydneebickett.com

612.293.9096

Rae + Eric : Minneapolis Engagement Photography

I have a confession to make: I've been holding out on you guys. I've been holding these images hostage for quite some time and I'm sorry.

Now that we've got the apologies out of the way, here are #raeeric's engagement photos! Complete with the cutest dachshund ever, Herman the Great, and these two crazy talented and lovely people, I really couldn't ask for more. Styled to a T - I mean, who puts a bowtie on their dog? Rae does! - and ice cream included, I loved everything about this shoot.

But let's back up for a second to explain why I love these people. Rae and Eric have been together almost a decade and seen each other through loads of jump-for-joy moments and it's-all-going-to-be-okay moments. When meeting to discuss wedding plans, Rae told me that Eric is her baseline. The one who keeps her in check when she's a busy bee designing graphics, being half the awesomeness behind Mighty Swell Vintage and hosting parties. Likewise, I'm sure Rae brings a certain element of the same for Eric, who is in his own right, an overly talented gentleman who brings out the soft, romantic and adorable side of Rae. And to tie it all together is Herman. Who wouldn't smile looking at that oh-for-cute pup?!

Rae is the graphic designer behind my branding relaunch and honestly, I think ya'll are going to squeal just as I did when you see it. She's almost in love with love as much as I am - and it shows in this new look, coming soon to this website and the world! I can't wait for the reveal on October 1!

Come visit again on Monday to see their amazing wedding day! You seriously don't want to miss this! And this time? You're probably going to cry, laugh, do cartwheels about their images. Seriously. Bring your eyes, I'll bring the awesome.

  

xoxo,

syd.

sydnee@sydneebickett.com

612.293.9096

Rehwaldt Family : Minneapolis Lifestyle Photography

Let me start by saying that I have been a cheerleader of this family for the last decade! When I make a list of things and people that fire me up and make me leap out of bed in the morning, it's people like these three. Their support and encouragement of this business has been unwavering and likewise, I love seeing their Facebook posts and photos of their growing family - every time we see each other, they're celebrating another beautiful milestone!

We celebrated Nolan's one year birthday with a session at the Minnehaha Falls - where we've been numerous times before and somehow, someway, each session looks a little bit different. Being the moving, grooving one year old he is, Nolan kept us laughing and smiling the entire session. Can you believe his cuteness?! Those eyes, his Toy Story Andy boots, his cowboy hat and that shirt just like his Dad. I adore these images, but even more, I adore the people in them.

These three are the reason why I'm doing this gig full-time. Telling their story and giving them these images feels like everything I was born to do. I'm so grateful for families like these guys, for the ability to do this "good work" and even more so for the gift they've given me: they trust me completely and are so open and honest when it comes to story telling. It's true that God has blessed them so richly and he will continue to do so - I can't wait to see how their story unfolds and I pray I get the honor and privilege of telling it!

I love you three. To infinity and beyond.

xoxo,

syd.

sydnee@sydneebickett.com

612.293.9096

Joe + Rachel : Destination Wedding Photography

The long-awaited day was finally here! After a year-long engagement, two college graduations, moving, multiple trips from Minneapolis to Pella and back, the wedding we've all been anxiously waiting for was HERE. It was happening! The burlap adorned the tables, the baby's breath bouquets almost took my breath away and an always-stunning-but-even-more-today Rachel was ready to meet her Joe.

Joe + Rachel chose me for their wedding photographer over a year before and then for the next 365 days, I was asked for my advice on centerpieces, Pinterest boards, guestbook options, hair dos and just about everything else that goes into planning a wedding. I couldn't have been more thrilled! I think weddings are seriously one of my top five favorite things ever! Joe + Rachel worked so diligently to ensure their guests were taken care of - they even included goodie bags in all the guests' hotel rooms! Perfection! And then finally, we all found ourselves in the middle of Iowa, with the details planned, the timeline in place and of course, my brother (the groomsman who planked during photos) had jokes prepared.

I will forever hold a special place in my heart for this couple and their "come along with us on this journey" attitude - I felt so appreciated and part of the day, instead of feeling like I was there to do a job and get paid. Plus, at what other wedding are you literally told to put the camera down, put a drink in your hand and get out on the dance floor?

From the preparation at the salon with each bridesmaid donning an oversized dress shirt chosen just for them, to the groomsmen's choice of a boyband pose in a cornfield to the last photo of this set where Joe's smile is so big and so wide, so proud he is finally able to call Rachel his wife - I could look at these images every day for the rest of my career and find another new detail I adore. These images tell a story unlike any other couple's story because they tell Joe + Rachel's story, which is why I always challenge my couples to really dig deep and find those things that make their story unique and then share them on this day. It may take some work, but it's what I love to refer to as "the good work." The time and effort you put in is unmatched to the amount of joy you receive at the end.

I love these two and am so grateful they've continued to be a part of my life, my brother's life and for some reason, they just keep coming over, even being married and all! But let's be honest, our dog Farley is really who Rachel keeps coming over to see. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

Cheers to a life lived to the fullest and let it be even more full, now that you have each other. Love and endless hugs to you, Joe + Rachel!

xoxo,
syd.
sydnee@sydneebickett.com
612.293.9096