summer sessions : Minneapolis/ St. Paul portrait photography

In honor of all things summer and all things Ms. Ali - goes - to - Hawaii - for - a - month, here's a friendly reminder to book your summer time fun session soon! We can go to the beach, the park, host a backyard picnic, whatever fits your fancy. 

I have limited dates available and would love to work with you to create a fabulous session - call me on my fancy new business line (612.293.9096) or email me sydnee@sydneebickett.com.

Now go on and eat a popsicle!

xoxo,

syd. 

sydnee@sydneebickett.com

612.293.9096

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

Chris + Maggie: Minneapolis Portrait Photography

I met Chris aka Christopher aka Twitterless Chris about six months ago when we both started jobs at the same company. He was professional, young, smart, funny, nice ... and VERY PATIENT. You see, Chris is the only guy in our group of five. But instead of shrugging off the girls, he started "lovingly" referring to us as "the sisters."

It was only a matter of time before "the sisters" met Maggie for our Friday lunch and we instantly fell in love with her -- so sweet and charming and dished it out just as well as we could! Plus, she tweets, loves fashion and celebrity gossip and has an amazing sense of style ... LOVE HER!

Chris + Maggie are definitely each other's perfect match. He's the ultimate gentleman and she the ultimate all-American girl; they "get" each other to a T. They're both probably the sweetest people you'll ever meet and down to earth. He knows just what gets her to smile and laugh, throwing her head back in a way that just makes everyone else start laughing too. Hilarious, kind-hearted and so in love -- they're a photographer's dream :)

Dating for 6+ years, Maggie's dream has been to do a four seasons photo shoot -- once I learned this, I wanted to know where to sign up! Four photoshoots with a couple who is so natural in front of the camera, joking, laughing, and being themselves AND they're game for my crazy ideas?! I love it!!

Since our friends Heat and Humidity were finally here to stay after a long winter and non-existent spring, we decided to style a little beachy shoot for the summer session. Chris + Maggie love being by the water, on the water and in the water at the lake "up north" so we decided to incorporate that along with some fun and bright summer apparel options. I had such a blast with these two, minus the walking backwards on the dock that wasn't as secure as I thought -- ha! They were great sports and I can't wait for our vintage-inspired classy summer session in a few weeks!

xoxo,

syd.

sydnee@sydneebickett.com