Back in the Saddle Again // Personal
It's already end of March 2018 and this blog has not been updated in what feels like 100 years ... so, to recap:
- My handsome boyfriend proposed and we got engaged! HOORAY!
- We got married in November 2017! HIP HIP HOORAY!
There are so many stories, images and gold nuggets of magic I can't wait to share in the weeks and months to come. But for now, I will say this:
I am no longer going to photograph weddings.
Is that a mic drop? I'm not quite sure, but one thing I do know: I need to make some space, both in my life and in my career. I want to focus on the things I LOVE ENDLESSLY and the things I thrive in. For 2018 and beyond, these are working with my bar & bat mitzvah clients and the families who I have worked with for years and years (and new ones too!)
If I am spread too thin, photographing any and every job that comes my way, my attention is drawn less and less from the clients who have been with me from the start and the ones who continue to choose me as their family photographer. Cultivating those relationships (and the referrals they send my way) matters most to me.
If this bums you out: do not fear! My amazing friend, mentor and photographer of weddings Bernadette Fox is the gal you need to call. (Like right now, what are you waiting for, newly engaged people of the world?!)
Luis and I trusted her and her associate Kim with our day and they BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER. I cry every time I see one of the images from our engagement and wedding day. I get butterflies when I see how handsome my husband looked that day (and okay, every day because I MARRIED UP). With little to no direction, they did everything I asked and everything I didn't or forgot to ask. We felt cared for and loved abundantly.
In an effort to maintain a balance between business, personal and the myriad of things in between, Luis and I have decided to not share the bulk of our wedding photos with the world. I will share with you the blog that Bernadette wrote and the images she shared there, but the rest? They are our story. It feels personal and vulnerable to share the thousands of images and videos from Bernadette PLUS our families and friends that we have from this day. We appreciate your love, support and understanding <3
Weddings by Bernadette // Bernadette Fox // Sydnee + Luis
Stay tuned as I navigate marriage, business, lifestyle changes and choices, a new job and what comes next! Oh and of course, your quarterly mini session date announcements :)
Happy Monday, friends!
I know, I know... this isn't a #MitzvahMonday special, but it's a special day nonetheless: Seven years ago today, I photographed my first-ever wedding. These two lovebirds have been married SEVEN years today and 2 beautiful kiddos later, I can tell you they're still VERY in love. We may not all look like babies anymore, but as much as their lives have changed in the last seven years, mine has as well.
I knew Ashley + Corey from middle school through high school and post high school. They were forever and always together, so of course, it was no surprise when they became engaged and began planning their wedding. Facebook was a new fangled thing then and I remember Ashley got in touch with me through a message, asking to meet so we could talk about possibly me photographing their wedding, as she saw some darkroom photography images I had posted during my undergrad. WHAT?! I WOULD PHOTOGRAPH A WEDDING? I was beyond nervous, but I met with her and she essentially said, "Since you'll be at the wedding anyway, why don't we just pay you to take the pictures?"
That was it: I was officially hired for my first real photo job. Within a month, I bought a basic digital SLR camera with a kit lens and a flash. I searched high and low for wedding photography inspiration, ideas on posing, lighting, cool effects. You guys should have seen some of the books I bought on wedding photography. YIKES. I decided to scratch all of that and go with my gut.
I bawled like a baby during every critical moment but I still got the shot.
I posed these families and they listened to me.
I sweat my buns off in the middle of a hot June summer and forgot my extra battery at home, so my 16 year old brother had to bring it to me at the reception in Rosemount.
I sent them the photos and they were overwhelmingly grateful.
Four years later, they called. They were expecting baby #1.
Over a year ago, they called again. Baby #2 was on the way.
It doesn't matter that I shot the entire wedding on an automatic mode or edited the images in Picasa. What matters is that I remember falling asleep that night with a beaming smile on my face because I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND. I could cement the biggest day of their lives with the images I took. They trusted and believed in me enough to allow me to be that person.
I've learned so much since that hot day on June 16, 2007. I found what makes my heart grow 1928374 times the normal size and the "job" that feels like a party every day. Because as much as this day is about my first-ever clients, it's about celebrating growth.
I'm overwhelmed and grateful every day for the immense honor my clients give me to document their lives - the big moments and the little ones. My fabulous repeat clients-turned-friends are such a gigantic part of my life and I wish sometimes that we could all hang out together, eating cupcakes and dancing our buns off. You make my world go 'round, guys. Thank you doesn't feel big enough.
xoxo,
Sydnee
You may have seen these lovebirds + adorable Harvey on my Facebook page earlier this week... and the fabulousness you've been waiting for is here!
A month ago, Brandon + Lindsey asked me to come alongside their family and photograph the blessing of their marriage at the Basilica of St. Mary. I was DELIGHTED! These two and their 3 year old son Harvey are what we call "good people" - they are friends of my dearest clients. When we met for the first time at Sebastian Joes, I knew we would be a perfect match! If it wasn't their amazing New Orleans accents, then it was their ease and flexibility or maybe that heartmelt of a boy attempting his first ice cream cone.
On a sunny Tuesday in April, I met this family and Brandon's parents (visiting from the South, God bless them - our weather was NUTS!) on the Basilica steps and photographed their awesomeness. Lindsey's BHLDN dress, combined with Brandon's grandmother's vintage brooch and her bouquet? Homemade from Pinterest inspiration. This woman is talented! The guys' style was not overlooked - searsucker suit for Harvey and navy for Dad with another homemade flower. I loved every detail!
Brandon + Lindsey's first wedding happened on their lunchhour in February a few years back... so this day deserved to be documented to the fullest extent. I was so honored to work with these three. And what made my heart soar the highest? When Brandon + Lindsey said to "just capture us being us." SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED! You got it, Garcias family! Here's your story!
xoxo,
Sydnee
On this rainy Saturday, I can't help but think back to Meg + Sam's wedding a few weeks ago [more to come on that soon!]. Then I remembered: I never shared their engagement photos, part 2, from earlier this summer! I'm so far behind in blogging - stay tuned, friends!
But here they are: Sam + Meg. Meg + Sam. They're two peas in a pod and I just love how much they LOVE on each other. I had already seen this twice before this session, but this session sealed the deal for me. Two of my favorite, most gracious clients to date. What's not to love?! The way Sam wraps his arms around Meg and his eyes seem to say "I've got the whole world right here" or maybe it's the way Meg giggles and laughs endlessly at Sam's humor.
I loved every single second of working with these two and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be the last! Cheers to your life together, lovebirds!
xoxo,
Sydnee
Sarah + Mike are the PERFECT example of why this dream life keeps on growing big and strong: REFERRALS. People all over are spreading the love and I couldn't be more grateful! After meeting these two lovebirds and hearing their story, I KNEW I just had to be the one to photograph their engagement + wedding! They chose me in the exact instant I chose them and this, friends, is the reason why I love this work so much!
Sarah + Mike's story include lots of music, laughter and love - all of which we captured during their engagement session last week. Special thanks to the folks at Treehouse Records for letting us laugh and play around at their little slice of Mpls love. We ended the session at my all-time favorite spot in the city which just happened to be the exact same spot of their engagement! YES!
I'm trying some new things since celebrating my one-year anniversary last week, one of which is blogging my favorite images ASAP! Enjoy :)
xoxo,
Sydnee
Meaghan + Sam are getting married! YAY! When I think about September 2013, I do a little happy dance in my apartment, thinking about how fabulous their day will be!
I first met Meg + Sam last fall at my favorite spot in South Mpls, where we gushed about their love story and their wedding day plans over wine and tots. I think it was the tots that won Sam over. Their love is so simple and easy: Meg loves Sam, Sam loves Meg. Done.
This simplicity will ring true on 9-14-13 when these two (plus Meg's cats) become a family and I CAN'T WAIT! What makes me so excited? Meaghan is on Pinterest and during my nightly pinning sessions (yes, this is a "thing" and I'm only 5% embarrassed to admit it), I literally mini-scream when I see what she's been pinning...
Lace gowns, grey and yellow, outdoors, small and intimate moments.
HELLOOOO my dream wedding! These pins make ME want to rush through the next 6 months to get to this day, so I can't imagine the excitement happening over at Sam and Meg's!
We did a mini save the date session last fall and the date sign? 100% Meg. I can't wait for their extended session this summer - it's bound to be "pinterest perfect!"
Extra special thanks to B for referring these lovebirds!
xoxo,
Sydnee
Jessi + Peter are really good at being in love. Like REALLY good at it. From the minute I met them, I knew this and I crossed all fingers and toes that they would pick me to document their story!
They are completely invested in this process, with Jessi pinning and Peter nodding "yes, Jessi" and when I got their Save the Date in my mailbox earlier this week, I mini-screamed with excitement: their metallics + fall theme is 100% them!
To Jessi + Peter: we share a love of gold and fall days and shiny things and love and Icannot wait to spend another October day with you this year! Thank you for being open to new ideas and for loving each other in the perfect way you do. You make my job so beautiful!
xoxo,
Sydnee
Combine a short and sweet ceremony (record time: 10 minutes!), bagpipes played by the Mayor of St. Paul (Deirdre's uncle!), two amazing families and a love story that spans almost a decade. The result? A gorgeous day at the riverfront for Deirdre + Ben's wedding day last August!
Deirdre began the day with a Facebook check-in at Mickey's Diner and a hair and makeup team that hit a home run creating a classic and timeless look. The views of the Mississippi out the windows of the Crown Plaza Riverfront were as breath-taking as her stunning gown. When I peeked into the bag, I literally mini-screamed; a bow, pleats and pockets? My dream dress come true! And as you can see, D was simply a vision in it.
This day was truly a family affair and I am blessed to have been witness to these families finally, after a decade, combining into one. This crew really knows how to party! Keep scrolling for more proof...
Special thanks to Tony Franklin and TC Worley for working their magic on the video side - I waited several long months to see what you came up with, and here's the proof:
Gisselman Wedding from Public Convoy on Vimeo.
xoxo,
Syd
Hi there!
It's officially 2013 and whoa, do I have a lot to share - but first things first, thank you.
Because of all of YOU, 2012 was the best year yet, both personally and professionally. I made the big leap to full-time photography and almost immediately, business started booming and hasn't slowed down. I'm so incredibly grateful for all of you and the love you've spread on my behalf. Ya'll really should just pat yourselves on the back!
What does 2013 look like over here? Well, for one thing, it's big and bright and filled with glitter hearts! I'm filled with butterflies over what's going to be revealed in the coming weeks and months and I hope you are in for a really fun ride - I'll save room in the passenger seat for you, promise.
First things first, tomorrow I'm going to be debuting the images from Ben + Deirdre's wedding and be sure to scroll all the way down for an extra special dose of awesome. You won't want to miss this!!
Next up...you'll have to wait and see! What's to come is something I'm so so proud of - I can't wait to share it with you!
xoxo,
Syd
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.
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!
Come visit again soon 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
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